"My problem with the OP was that they were trying to measure the worth of someone's life by how much money they are contributing to society, which is just fraught with problems."
Exactly.
In the real world, people do not contribute "money" to society. People contribute "value" to society, and receive "payment/money" to themselves. Generally, executives do very little real work and get paid a lot, while the blue collar and no collar workers get paid in table scraps. (I say "generally" because maybe there are some good exec's out there, who knows...)
Let's redefine our terms to better understand this:
"Currency" = Paper/metal that represents "money".
"Money" = Something of tangible value. Precious metals is a good example.
"Value" = How much one form of money can trade for another form of money. For example, how much it costs to buy a loaf of bread with "currency" that represents "money".
(Unfortunately, we are currently under the "fiat" currency system. In this system the currency has been detached from the value of real money (aka gold/silver)... with detrimental consequences. But this is another story entirely...)
Who's life would you rather save?
↑ View this comment's parent
← View full post
"My problem with the OP was that they were trying to measure the worth of someone's life by how much money they are contributing to society, which is just fraught with problems."
Exactly.
In the real world, people do not contribute "money" to society. People contribute "value" to society, and receive "payment/money" to themselves. Generally, executives do very little real work and get paid a lot, while the blue collar and no collar workers get paid in table scraps. (I say "generally" because maybe there are some good exec's out there, who knows...)
Let's redefine our terms to better understand this:
"Currency" = Paper/metal that represents "money".
"Money" = Something of tangible value. Precious metals is a good example.
"Value" = How much one form of money can trade for another form of money. For example, how much it costs to buy a loaf of bread with "currency" that represents "money".
(Unfortunately, we are currently under the "fiat" currency system. In this system the currency has been detached from the value of real money (aka gold/silver)... with detrimental consequences. But this is another story entirely...)