Entitlement

Last night, I was driving home at 8:30 and listened to CBC for about 10 min., but I can't find the broadcast online, just now.

A guest was speaking about his research into entitlement behavior.  He showed that the richer a person is, the more flashy a person's car is, the more he or she has accumulated by chance in a monopoly game, etc. the less honest, moral, and considerate their behavior.  The idea that rich people turn into well-meaning benefactors is faulty.  (Or as others have pointed out, if the billionaire gives away a few million, he's still got a lot left.)

And it was not that it was the ruthless behavior which got a person to become rich and therefore ruthless people are rich.  It was the comparative advantage of the person which made him or her act more entitled and less considerate.

Jesus did say something about the rich and the eye of the needle.  And he did speak about those who give from their plenty.  Ah, yes.  He had a lot to say about it.  Researchers are just getting around to the statistics.

It makes sense to me in a number of different contexts.  I have seen people act impatiently and unkindly with others when they seem to have an advantage over handicapped or newcomers.  I have seen it with university professors, who have a relatively advantaged, cushy and prestigious job over those not in their field or those who must garner their favor, or those who don't have their nose for certain things.  I have seen it with intelligent theologians over those who can't get to church or study as often. --  There are different kinds of riches and advantages.  There are those who are unkind to children, the aged, the vulnerable.

It is running away with me now.  This wasn't all on the program.

In some ways, it explains a lot.