10 Comments:

• "re"-consider Marxism?? I don't have any reconsidering to do. Workers unite!
  
  Oh, and:
  
  "Something similar is happening in academia, where newly minted Ph.D.’s migrate from teaching or research to more lucrative fields."
  
  If only that were actually true. Less competition for me.

  By  Dr. Brazen Hussy, at 3:32 PM  

• My dinner companion the other night was a stockbroker (not even a Ph.D. consultancy arriviste). Our conversation ranged from the economic potential of China to which lovely French restaurant has the best selection of Armagnac. I only wish I had started humming the Internationale louder and louder.

  By  kermitthefrog, at 8:52 PM  

• Yeah, that is one of the things that makes me crazy about the Times-- that and the full page adds for $7,000 scarves and such.
  
  BUT-- my new love is my subscription to their crossword puzzles online- makes me SOO SOOO happy!

  By  Weezy, at 9:17 PM  

• Come on, this article is very helpful and enlightening. Remember, an oligarchy is rule by the few, while plutacrhy is rule by the rich. The ranks of the rich have been expanding very steadily in the past few years, and the amounts of money being given for philanthropy are increasing as well. That's great news! I would much rather be rich enough to give money to deserving people who can really use the money instead of the federal government taxing me and spending money in areas that are undeserving or, worse, unaccountable. Private individuals are much better at knowing how to spend their own money than any bureaucrat. However, one key problem is that most of the money is given away to help people in poor countries, neglecting the poor people in the U.S. The problem is not that people are getting very rich. The problem is that very rich people are not using the money in the best possible way - to eliminate poverty in the U.S. for instance. They just need more education about how to properly give their money. The best way to provide that education is to go into financial consulting, and then tell your peers the best ways to spend the money. You have to be part of the system in order to change it.

  By  Marriah, at 11:24 PM  

• Your post was tongue in cheek, right? You didn't really believe any of the things you wrote. Please tell me you didn't mean it.

  By  Arbitrista, at 8:10 AM  

• I meant every word of it. Getting rich, even superrich, is nothing to be ashamed of. It's much better than extreme poverty after all. The caveat is that once you have so much money, the best thing to do is give it away. Philanthropy is the best alternative to progressive taxation. Today's best institutions - Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Carnegie Foundation, Ford Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - are the products of philanthropy.

  By  Marriah, at 10:55 AM  

• re-consider Marxism? So I can turn away from it? I don't think that is likely to happen in a big way anytime soon. I haven't read enough Marx to say to what extent I agree with it, but I am sure there are some great ideas there.

  By  Liz, at 12:15 PM  

• Ha. No, I'm not a Marxist. His analysis is fascinating. His solutions? Not so much.
  
  By the way, the description of your background is amazing!

  By  Arbitrista, at 1:11 PM  

• publius,
  are you talking to me when you say the description of your background is amazing?

  By  Liz, at 2:50 PM  

• Yes. Maybe that was awkwardly worded. I glanced at your profile and thought your personal history sounded very neat.

  By  Arbitrista, at 3:22 PM  

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