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Comment by organsnyder | Hacker News Reader

That's certainly true for many super-affluent people, but Warren Buffett is hardly the poster child. He lives a relatively modest lifestyle, and has already given away a large portion of his fortune.

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I agree, he seems not to have lost his moral compass -- he's no Larry Ellison. But something about the phrase "enormous number of claim checks on society" suggests that he's collecting points, and trying to rack up a high score by the end of the game.

To me, it suggests exactly the opposite. Rather than simply seeing wealth as a high-score indicator, he recognizes that by holding onto it he is squandering a huge amount of potential wealth for society at large.

I'd argue the super-wealthy are only different than the "rest of us" in terms of scale on this issue.

Relevant Louis CK:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC4FnfNKwUo

I drive a cheap Honda Fit, not an Infinity, but the concept still applies to almost everyone who lives a decently comfortable western life.

If Buffett wants to try to rack up a high score, and plays by fair and equal rules in the process (not hurting anyone, not pressuring people into transactions, paying his taxes on time, et cetera), what's wrong with him doing that?

I'm veering off-topic here, but Buffett's large deals are often cunningly crafted so that taxes are eliminated. He's got the right to do that, but it doesn't make him a shining example of a taxpayer.

Still, the charities he is giving his wealth to will get some of this benefit!

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