Should the Term "Greed" Always be Associated with Negativity?
"Greed" is one of the seven deadly sins. Considered a devastating emotional trait that has led to countless murders throughout history, betrayal, family breakdowns and a breeding ground for the criminally minded. Doesn't sound too good so far. But must it always have connotations with negativity leading to those mentioned damaging outcomes?
Well, no. In fact, if kept in check, it can actually be turned into a valuable positive for everybody. The most popular interpretation of the term "greed" usually comes coupled with an indirect inference with another strong emotion. That being "envy". Meaning not only do you wish to take possession of what is perceived as lacking and others possess, but in certain cases, seeing out their ultimate failure too. So, being able to eradicate the latter personality trait from your mind, leaves only one's pure core desires at hand. And channelled properly, has all sorts of positive effects. I find one such area where this seems to carry a lot of weight is in the game of crypto.
Because, at the end of the day, these markets boil down to a game we're all playing collectively. I mean, life itself can be described as one long and drawn out game. But I digress. Lets look at the digital asset that is Steem, for example. It's built upon a stake-based system, setup in a manner so as the more of the coin you own, the more advantages are garnered. Our voting capacities increase, levels of influence on the platform swells and, hopefully in the end, the value of the currency itself will sky rocket in the future. Well, the potential is there, anyways. But it is nonetheless potential founded in sound logic and forward-thinking.
So, looking at just these variables as they stand, it makes perfect sense to act "greedy" when earning or investing in Steem. Treat the journey with respect, including factors like time-limitations as well as you individually tailored financial strategies. All with a means to, in essence, "climb the hierarchical ladder" as high as possible within those specified guidelines and rules set by yourself. I mean, even feelings of "desperation" in your aspirations to maximise on this golden opportunity and accumulate as much Steem as you can. Is that a bad thing? I think not, given the highly probable perceived outcome of your actions. And this is not only limited to Steem, but crypto in general, and from there on, numerous other facets of your life.
I see honed "greed" as a very important part of striving to excel in being the best you can be. Let others do as they wish if it does not impede your progress in any way, shape or form. Emotions themselves are one of the most powerful tool-sets present in your psychological armoury, to attaining true greatness and wealth.
Implement the good, separate the bad. It's a winning combination that "will" bring you success in all aspects of your life!
The word "greed" does sound pretty negative no matter what context it is used. To myself the word greed is attributed to a person who wants more of something, even though they do not need it. The word greed is most often linked with money, but people can be greedy for other things as well. With this being said I do not see how the word greed would apply to the users here on the Steemit platform. I believe the words ambitious and competitive would be better suited to describe individuals on this platform. As you mentioned the Steemit platform awards those who acquire more steem, steempower, etc. This in turn makes those of us who are minnows work harder to achieve dolphin status, and those that are dolphins work harder to achieve whale status. I myself am a minnow, and a small one at that for the moment. I do not look at the whales and dolphins above me as being greedy. I look at their status on the platform as being achieved thru hard work and dedication. This in turn makes me want to work harder to achieve a higher status on the platform as well. So I would use the word ambitious or competitive to describe my actions, and not the word greed. I feel confident that this also applies to other members in our Steemit community as well.
Expertly constructed comment, man! I've seen the word "greed" being used as a form of abuse to one another in the past on Steemit. Nothing could be further from the truth, in terms of its use of context. Thanks again for that proper and legitimate reply. :)
I was going to comment something very similar, you are spot on, on this one, i also made a post some months ago about greed only to realize that i was in fact talking about ambition all along! Sometimes it's hard to distinguish between both, it's a very blurry line IMO!
@ezzy be it be any word . we can't take it in one way. just like that Greed also can't be taken as negative always. Sometimes it also gives good return also.
Being greedy in the right context, yes. :)
Some times greed plays positive role
If it was classified as positive then it would be a classic example of having a word to sound "right" for a person's own rationale. This is splitting hairs over the word and meaning. It would be a "spin" in order to justify means or mental rationale.
Many hairs have been "split" over its meaning on Steemit. :)
You are not kidding. Splitsville...
If one does have some of greed for something better, the person can just do nothing.
How do you mean, bud?
I guess those who have some kind of dream or ambition will mean there is some greed. Otherwise, no greed no ambition
There is a very thin line between greed and ambition.
If you can ride that line, you'll kick ass and not make too many enemies.
Totally. Steemit is chock full of politics, good and bad. With it, come "fake friends", "True enemies" and vise-versa. Such is the eco-system of our community. Learning to ride that thin line between greed and ambition, I believe, is a skill in itself.
I agree that a healthy dose of greed is essential for success, especially in the field of investment. In the famous words of investment legend Warren Buffet: "Be greedy when others are fearful. Be fearful when others are greedy."
Hence greed is a double edged sword. In the hands of the wise, it is a tool to accumulate wealth. In the hands of the foolish, it is a sure path to financial ruin.
Well said, bud. My post was born out of a comment made that there are too many "greedy" people on this platform. I beg to differ... :)
To listen to the audio version of this article click on the play image.
Brought to you by @tts. If you find it useful please consider upvoting this reply.
I just know, that greed has a lot to do on how we choose our partners. Men are greedy for heavy curves and babydoll-faces, women get weak on confindence, power and understanding.
So is greed something bad? Who the fuck knows!? We re all in the same boat.
What makes me really sick is our inability to accept, that we all are full of shit and if you accuse somebody else of being greedy, you just deny you yourself are full of shit too.
Instead of starting to ask expedient questions. ..