Opinion

Answers for Adam: Should the budget prompt us to be more generous?

Answers For Adam

After the government passed down an belt-tightening budget Adam Ferrier asks if this act should make people more generous in sharing their wealth?

Here’s a question relevant to you the day after budget night.

The government has largely followed convention and is in the process of creating a smaller government, and freeing up corporate Australia to create more money that will then be distributed to the masses. That’s kind of the reasoning – I think.

adam-ferrier-2-copyThis type of logic has been around for years. However, according to a few, let’s call them ‘money psychologists’ this kind of thinking is prone to a number of issues – the primary one being, as soon as people (or corporations) make (or even hold) money they don’t want to let go of it.

They have found that among other things:

a) Whilst holding money we tend to be more selfish, and self orientated

b) Those with money are consistently more likely to break the law and

c) Money makes us meaner.

Here’s a link to Paul Piff’s influential TED talk documenting some of the research he’s conducted into the area.

So unless we have a government that is strong enough to not only let the machine generate money, but also prise it out of the tightly held fist in which it’s held – well then we will just continue to generate wealth but with it being increasingly unfairly distributed. Have a look at this video if you want to see where we are heading.

My question to you is – seriously when was the last time you gave away a chunk of money? If you can’t think of a time, or if it’s over a month then here’s a guy who can help you out. His campaign to reach $50k has only three days left to run and his shy $10,000. Prove the science wrong and donate now!

Adam Ferrier is CSO / Partner at independent creative and media agency, Cummins&Partners. Twitter @adamferrier

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