• solstice@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Worse than the direct cost is opportunity cost. Wealthy have money to invest and over time it snowballs. An eventful day in the market can swing their net worth more than the average person will earn in a year or maybe even a lifetime.

    Think about what that means for an economy too. It means tons of folks are trapped in poverty cycles instead of innovating, starting businesses, or going to school and getting training etc. Because these things are all risky and require investment, which they can’t do.

    • demlet@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      It tends to lead to societal collapse eventually, but at least a tiny percentage of people are having a good time right now!