Lately I've been contemplating over the propriety of asking people how much money they make.
I'm not a fan of the question being taboo. I'm really not a fan of ANY question being silenced. How else are we to learn and make informed decisions?
But, the thing I find interesting about this subject is I've never met a blue-collar, entry-level, or minimum wage worker who didn't mind discussing how underpaid they are. Those who mind/avoid/fear the subject are those who know they're getting paid more than they're worth. Those paid disproportionately well to their peers. Those who face Madame Guillotine!
Methinks, perchance the aristocracy be the driving force behind mums-ing the whole topic in the first place. Curtailing talk about money altogether eludes harsh feelings of fairness and jealousy that can accompany. Therefore, *poof* pay no attention to the [money] behind the curtain.
Now, some may say you shouldn't need to know how much others make because money shouldn't influence your professional decisions anyway. Careers should be based on passions; find out what makes you happy, pursue it, and the fulfillment will make up for the difference in cash flow.
But, who is feeding us this idea? Where does it originate?
It is an idea specially formulated in closed-door offices on top levels of really tall buildings that is filtered down through the system until we shop it out of some bargain bin at the crossroads of Want and Necessity.
That's, right! The people admonishing us to pursue passion rather than money are those who HAVE money. Think I'm kidding?
How much money is floating around Hollywood? Yet, how many Hollywood films feature money as the villain? How many hold money, those who have it, and those chasing it as soulless? How many theme integrity with staying true to one's dreams?
When a protagonist is just about to get everything they ever wanted--the big job, the hidden treasure, the record deal--they will forsake extravagance and choose love, family, or the simple life every time.
"Titanic," for instance, was less about a ship sinking and more about status, riches, and jewels (all of which were hated and ended up at the bottom of an ocean). One of the highest grossing films of all time certainly did not portray money in a very positive light. Interesting, wouldn't you say?
It's profiteering propaganda! They're throwing us off the scent! It's a red herring so they can keep all the money for themselves! Hollywood has turned passion pursuing into global currency so marketable they might as well be selling beans.
Baker: This is the sum total.
Wife: Beans?? (She catches an idea) BEANS!! OH, we MUSTN'T give up our beans! ...Well...if you feel we must. Beans will bring you food, son. And, these are no ordinary beans! These beans carry magic.
Jack: What kind of magic?
Baker: Magic that defies description.
Wife: I'd say they're worth a pound each at the very least.
Jack sells his cow for beans. And, that's how easily retirement funds are dealt away. That's how easily money is made, not earned; based on pure precious belief, we gladly exchange passion for beans.
You don't even have to ask; I'll tell you how much I make.
For a post like this one, I usually bill at the rate of $0 per hour. I charge much less for friends and family though.
That means today alone I've made tens of nothings of dollars. According to Quicken, I thereby will be retreating myself (an optimist would see this as a form of repetative treating!) to lunching with the imaginative and frugal Lost Boys of Never Land.
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