# The top 1% - the World over... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 6, 2010, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680 "2010-07-06T05:16:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![adhay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@adhay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhay)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/81 "2010-07-07T00:21:26Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > Okay, so what percentage of the planet’s population are in the billion pound sterling asset class? Let’s make it clear, here, that are we are talking about individual net liquid worth. Pure discretionary income devoted to never having to produce beyond providing a socialistic nest of beneficial parasitism to the subjects. > [@](#): > > These are the people with the most money, influence and potential to cause harm in their quest for for what are barely imaginable riches to the average man on the street. What they need to get is that there ain’t no average. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/82 "2010-07-07T00:32:46Z")
I don’t know about you guys, but I think **lurking guest** could have a good future following in Dr. Bronner’s footsteps and making soap with crazy rants on the bottles… ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/83 "2010-07-07T00:57:28Z")
You guys mind easing up on the Return key? It’s making me seasick. BTW, Gates wrote a damn fine BASIC interpreter. Too bad he went downhill from there. **lurking guest** is neither a high school nor college student. He’s a verse libre poet reincarnated as a cockroach, who jumps up and down on the keys of a computer. And not nearly as clever as the last one, if you ask me. ---
**Author:** ![toofs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/84 "2010-07-07T02:22:32Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > You guys mind easing up on the Return key? It’s making me seasick. > BTW, Gates wrote a damn fine BASIC interpreter. Too bad he went downhill from there. > > **lurking guest** is neither a high school nor college student. He’s a verse libre poet reincarnated as a cockroach, who jumps up and down on the keys of a computer. And not nearly as clever as the last one, if you ask me. Cockroach? **Voyager** , Kafka’s got nothing on what **lurking guest** has twisted into words… HERE. Somewhere in the OP there had to be mention of DA JOOS and the **Builderbergs** But I think I missed IT! ---
**Author:** ![toofs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/85 "2010-07-07T02:24:44Z")
> [@kasuo](#): > > I don’t know what we’re YELLING about! Fuck it, Man! This is _kicks, 300 style_ “The Pit!” ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/86 "2010-07-07T02:38:01Z")
Or read a book and now subscribes to it’s philosophy. Until he reads a different book. Or maybe it’s just his Professor. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/87 "2010-07-07T02:45:52Z")
> [@lurking\_guest](#): > > [QUOTE=ivan astikov] > A million is nothing to people in the top 1% of earners. Does anyone believe you can become a billionaire without being corrupted in some way? Apparently so, Ivan. Apparently we need “cites” to prove that only hundreds of millions of dollars put you in the top 1% worldwide. (Who ARE these people on the “Smartest Message Board” on the net?) [/QUOTE] I just wanted to bump this bit, because I’m not entirely sure it’s received enough emphasis thus far. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/88 "2010-07-07T17:26:11Z")
> [@lurking\_guest](#): > > Oh good for them. > > Bill and Melinda Gates. > > Perhaps their attention to and commitment to lesser/and,or yet another ‘Money-Maker’ should not be unnoticed… > > Poor Bill…loving computers. > Working at it with Paul Allen…in basements…‘…back in the day..’ > > A Billionaire. > A regular guy. > > HIS - Bill Gates - intelligence came from? Was challenged by? Came to fruition because of?.. > His parents? His private schooling? His folks connections? I can cost a lot to appease your conscience. I am sure Gates has a lot to atone for. I read that he ripped off the DOS inventor and has created an empire at least partly via a staff of high power lawyers who would drag people who felt ripped off by Microsquish through courts forever. He had the money and knew how to use it. The foundation will not break them. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/89 "2010-07-07T17:41:55Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > I just wanted to bump this bit, because I’m not entirely sure it’s received enough emphasis thus far. I agree. After altering the percentage in my first sentence to 0.0001%, I’d like to ask again… Does anyone believe you can become a billionaire without being corrupted in some way? ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/90 "2010-07-07T17:46:16Z")
Of course not. I also don’t believe you can become an adult without being corrupted in some way. Poverty is not the same as nobility. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/91 "2010-07-07T17:46:47Z")
> [@lurking\_guest](#): > > And why is that? Life is hard, then you die. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/92 "2010-07-07T17:48:39Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > I agree. After altering the percentage in my first sentence to 0.0001%, I’d like to ask again… Does anyone believe you can become a billionaire without being corrupted in some way? Yes. Start with Warren Buffett. See Terry Matthews and then do your own research and be confounded and amazed at all the real people and human beings who made money, created jobs, helped others, and weren’t **dicks** along the way. Like you. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/93 "2010-07-07T18:38:12Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > I agree. After altering the percentage in my first sentence to 0.0001%, I’d like to ask again… Does anyone believe you can become a billionaire without being corrupted in some way? I’m entirely willing to take a hit for the team on this one in the name of science. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/94 "2010-07-07T18:55:41Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > I’m entirely willing to take a hit for the team on this one in the name of science. Well really to be a valid test there should be a couple of us. _sigh_ I guess I’ll volunteer. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/95 "2010-07-07T18:58:44Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Yes. Start with Warren Buffett. See Terry Matthews and then do your own research and be confounded and amazed at all the real people and human beings who made money, created jobs, helped others, and weren’t **dicks** along the way. > > Like you. That’s like pointing to a couple of respected world leaders and saying they represent the general population of world leaders…fuckstick. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/96 "2010-07-07T19:19:28Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > That’s like pointing to a couple of respected world leaders and saying they represent the general population of world leaders…fuckstick. So what you’re saying is “All billionaires are corrupt, except the ones that aren’t”? ---
**Author:** ![sevenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/97 "2010-07-07T19:20:13Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > fuckstick. I have to admit to being on the fence for a long time on this subject, but yor debating skills have just won me over. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/98 "2010-07-07T19:20:36Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > That’s like pointing to a couple of respected world leaders and saying they represent the general population of world leaders…fuckstick. No it fucking isn’t, you moron. You asked this: “Does anyone believe you can become a billionaire without being corrupted in some way?” Do you believe you CAN do it is what you asked. Therefore, it only takes ONE counterexample to prove that it CAN be done. Therefore, the EXAMPLES that were given ANSWER the fucking question that you fucking asked, fuckhead. If ONE person does it, that proves that it CAN be done. Nobody said anything about them being representative of their group, because that’s NOT THE FUCKING QUESTION THAT YOU ASKED. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/99 "2010-07-07T20:04:40Z")
THERE’S NO NEED TO SHOUT, YOU TOOL! I’M RIGHT HERE. Okay, you’ve provided a couple of examples addressing my query, but let me refine my question then. Does anyone think that non-corrupt billionaires are the norm, or that Warren Buffet and his ilk - well, Terry Matthews at least - are typical of people who create vast personal fortunes? ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680/100 "2010-07-07T20:26:26Z")
**ivan** , I’m asking honestly here… do you think that good, nice, uncorrupted \*poor \*people are the norm? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-1-the-world-over/545680.md?page=6)