Freedom, Impact and Generosity: The Only Point of Wealth
“Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre'' at first glance seems like a silly, action comedy movie from Hollywood. I was hesitant to start it but frankly I was bored and way too tired to read. Boy, am I glad I picked it up. Guy Ritchie is a damn good director.
The movie starring Jason Stratham and Hugh Grant is about a team of private spy’s trying to track down a stolen & secret AI weapon in the hands of a billionaire arms broker. They recruit a Hollywood star to help save the world. It’s really entertaining.
There is a great scene where the billionaire arms dealer Greg is showing the movie star Danny around his estate and he comes to this beautiful classic rare Ford Mustang in his garage. It’s a car in one of his movies.
The billionaire asks him: “How much did you want this car Damny?”
Danny answers: “Of all the cars I’ve driven on screen, this is the only car I’ve ever wanted to possess.”
Greg: “Is that right: did you crave it? Did you yearn for it? Did you dream about it?”
Danny responds: “I longed for it.”
Greg then answers: “Do you know what? It’s yours. Come on, let’s have lunch!”
The actor is flabbergasted but overjoyed.
Now this is what we describe in Mandarin Chinese as “Da Chi”, big heart, or big energy. Immense generosity. This is the opposite of “Xiao Chi” or small energy, cheapness.
I’ve long talked about the importance of wealth in enabling your freedom. Going wherever, whenever and doing it with whoever you want. This part is pretty clear. It’s also to enable initiatives and causes you care the most about whether it’s certain charities or movements or political parties. It’s all dependent on the person.
There is this scene when the actor asks the billionaire: “So tell me how did the leap from millionaire to billionaire change you?”
The billionaire says: “Right. Interesting question. And I imagine my cue to tell you money doesn’t make you any happier. But I tell you what, it f—ing does. But it does. And I’m really happy now.”
Yes, having money does make you happier!!
The other and arguably biggest reason why wealth equates to happiness is making sure your loved ones are taken care of. I’d take it a step further: doing really nice things for your friends and loved ones. I want to treat my friends & family. I want to be generous. I refuse to split the bill for meals, I will pay for it. I want to give nice gifts to people I care about. I want to take them on trips or pay for nice material things that make them happy. I want to make magic happen for them.
This is the whole point of having money. It enables “Da Chi.” I never want to be a rich person living by himself like Scrooge in the Christmas Carol for most of that tale. I want to be the generous Scrooge at the end of the tale when he spreads his wealth and takes care of the Cratchit family. Sadly, this early Scrooge is like many wealthy people I know in real life. Cheap, ungenerous individuals counting their pennies.
Which leads me to a quote in the movie that sums up my view. “We are anti-capitalist. We’re just anti-other capitalists.”
All this wealth creation is enabled by a capitalist system, but capitalism is like technology, a neutral tool. A blade. You can use it for good or for evil. I hope everyone who ends up doing well, uses their gains for good. Good for your family, your friends and society. This is a reminder for myself too. Be “Da Chi.”