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Comment by qubax | Hacker News Reader

> Anand basically argued that the global elite spends a lot of time looking for ways to help the global impoverished

I have a hard time believing this. The elite spend a lot of time looking for ways to help themselves. The elite spend a lot of time looking to enrich themselves. The elite didn't become the elite by being charitable or caring or thinking of others.

Also, I don't think this "nature" is just confined to the elite. Everyone is selfish.

> but fails to make an impact because they never consider solutions that would erode their own wealth/status.

People who love wealth and power don't want to diminish their wealth and power?

I basically agree with the guy but nothing he said is new or insightful.

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You should hang out with wealthy people.

A large portion of our conversations(as a 10%er) is about how we can create products, services, or nonprofit organizations that help people.

This also seems to neglect that Exchange has both parties benefiting.

Assuming you are part of those people:

Have they seen ONE such project from start to end that made real difference? Like I don't know, here's something egotistic: help one family -- buy them a beach house, supply them with tech and some financial reserves, AND help them build a profitable consultancy so they don't hang on your neck until you die?

Something communal: or just build a well-funded school where they personally pay the fair wages of the teachers? For 10 years?

I've been hearing a lot about the wealthy thinking of how to help. IMO it always stops at thinking only. At this point I've come to think they want to feel good about themselves but not really make a difference.

Without a doubt, have you not seen the progress humanity has 'selfishly' experienced.

Sorry, didn't get you.

In any case, I've never seen somebody rich actually make a difference anywhere. I mean it's normal if they want to protect the sources of their wealth -- to an extent -- but there are many good deeds to be done that don't involve them sacrificing their wealth.

Hence I concluded the occasional charity tooting is just a feel-good factor for them.

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