of crass materialism to be jolly. But even if you are spared, here’s a fun exercise I was asked to conduct a few months ago for some piece of press work that probably never saw the light of day. Two questions:
- What do you think money can’t buy, and if you can’t buy it, how can you get it?
- What are the most important things you think money can buy, but shouldn’t?
So here are mine, but let’s hear yours (award for the best is international fame, but no prizes)
What do you think money can’t buy, and if you can’t buy it, how can you get it?
Confidence about the world my grandchildren will inhabit in 40 years – will our species go the way of the dinosaurs?
How to get it? Stop climate change. Simples. Oh, and have some children.
The pride of being the generation that ended world poverty, joining the abolitionists, suffragettes etc in the history books
How to get it? Put our own house in order, support change makers in developing countries. Or just forge the history books.
A good night’s sleep
How to get it? Go running in the evening, live a smug and unstressed life
A decent jet pack (actually,
money can probably get you that, sorry)
What are the most important things you think money can buy, but shouldn’t?
Luxury at the expense of others, whether those alive today, or future generations
Security built on razor wire and armed guards, rather than a sense of community
Dominance over/subservience of others
(Soon) the ability to live to 150 or more
Space tourism
Dinner (or still worse, space travel) with Richard Branson
Over to you for some better ones]]>