By Charlie Crowell for Impact Hollow.com
Ever since the movie Wall Street was released in 1987, there has been an ongoing (and usually lopsided) debate about greed.
In the movie, investor and inside trader Gordon Gekko, played by Michael Douglas, gives a speech to the shareholders of a money-losing company called Teldar Paper.
Gekko says, “The point is, ladies and gentlemen, that greed – for lack of a better word – is good. Greed is right. Greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through and captures the essence of the evolutionary sprit. Greed, in all its forms – greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge – has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed – you mark my words – will not only save Teldar Paper but that other malfunctioning corporation called the U.S.A.
As politically incorrect as it may be, especially in these times of economic peril, Gekko was absolutely right.
American Heritage Dictionary defines greed as “an excessive desire to acquire or posse more than one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth.”
What a ridiculous definition! Right off the bat it raises more questions than it answers.
What constitutes an “excessive desire”? Excessiveness to one might be woefully inadequate to another. Who gets to make that call?
And who gets to decide how much one “needs or deserves”? Last time I looked, we were still operating as a free-market system where, for the most part, people are rewarded in direct proportion to their contribution.
The truth is, we are all greedy. It’s human nature. You might not like the word but it fits. By being greedy (in other words, going after what you want) you’ll do more for the human race than in any other way.
Why? Because the only way you can get what you want is by providing some sort of valuable product or service to others. And the more you want, the more intensely you’ll have to work to get it - the greater will be your contribution. That’s how it works.
Greed is good. It’s as good as the ability to provide for your children – as good as the doctor’s bills it pays – the education it provides - the safety and security it affords - the dreams it fulfills – the jobs it creates – the taxes it pays – and it can also enable you to help others who are perhaps less ambitious, or, for whatever the reason, unable to help themselves.
Now, to be sure, greed has a dark side. Gordon Gekko was, after all, a villain. Once you enter the realm of illegal, immoral or unethical behavior, then greed takes on a whole different meaning.
But for most of us, greed gets us out of bed in the morning and provides much needed direction in our lives. Going full tilt after the things we want is very healthy indeed. And it has lead to most of the great creative and innovative strides of mankind.
So get good and greedy – for lack of a better word. It’s a necessary step toward accomplishment.
And, by the way, a sequel to Wall Street entitled Money Never Sleeps is currently in the works. It looks like Michael Douglas is returning as Gordon Gekko… so I guess the debate will continue.
But at least now you know the truth.
Do you agree or disagree?
Have an opinion or comment?
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