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 POWER |
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Money =
Power
The myth that money equals power is deeply entrenched in
the media. Advertisements, especially car ads, are adept at communicating
this "truth." TV programs and movies show us rich men who control the
world in exciting ways. They also demonstrate the flip-side of this myth:
that money equals power in an evil sense, and that these rich people will
end up destroying their lives or the lives of others with all their money.
As I said earlier, some truth is contained in every money myth.
When we look around us, we see not just fictional but real-life examples
of wealthy people who use their money and the status that may accompany it
to wield power over others. It's been said that for many women, power is a
great aphrodisiac; and wealthy men have often had an advantage in seducing
and coupling with women. Many of us have had personal experience with
superiors at work, who make more money and have more power than we do,
using their authority over us in ways that constrain us and make us feel
powerless. Having money can lead to more choices (of educational and job
training, for example) and can enable us to travel far and wide and to
procure many of the things we want. It can buy good health care. And of
course, all of these things are a kind of power.
But debunking the
myth that money equals power can lead to new, creative life choices for us
and our intimates.
Do you believe that Money = Power?
To see if you believe in this money myth, ask yourself which of
the following statements seem true to you:
The most powerful people in the world are rich.
If I had more money, I'd definitely be more powerful.
When people lose money, they lose power.
I need a lot of money to accomplish my goals and feel in control of my
life.
Less money means less power to live my life
as I choose.
If you agree with three or more of these statements, the money-equals-power
myth seems at least partially true to you.
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