Re:Why super-smart people may be drawn to a life of crime
by jackcosgrove on Monday March 06, 2017 @11:09AM
(#13803561)
I generally agree with this, and would emphasize that wealth is not just due to intelligence or academic achievement as some are led to believe. In fact, accruing wealth has more to do with work ethic and simple living practiced over a long time than being a wizard at something or getting credentials. The whiz kids who make it big are a tiny fraction of all smart people. The rest of the smart people have to grind it out over decades to assemble an inheritance which will maybe afford their children the opportunity to generate wealth from rents.
A lot of people frankly don't care enough about the lives their children, if any, will lead, and want a wealthy lifestyle fast. As you pointed out, more intelligent people also see how the system works and may resent it more.
(2) False idols - We have been told since we are children, "work hard, and get ahead" or "you need an education to get ahead". We know this is only works to a certain degree. The wealthy stay wealthy because the game is rigged. The laws are tailored so that they can maintain wealth. They don't have to pay the same amount of tax and there are multiple tax-loopholes that allow them to keep their money. They get the public to pay for their expenses and are not forced to share the wealth that they generate.
Smart people recognize this and do not want to play that game. Why should I bust my ass to make some millionaire more money? It is obvious that the 'easy' way to make money is to break the law. It's only the poor people who end up getting caught/punished.