Jacob Needleman -- Professor of philosophy and author of Money and the Meaning of Life

There truly is a deep connection between "Money and the Meaning of Life." Over the course of the interview with Jacob Needeleman, I learned a few qualities of how to deal with money that will better guide me throughout my career. The main theme I took away was that if you don't know your attitude towards making money, you simply do not know yourself. Money has the great power of bringing people together as well as splitting them apart, so one must better know how to deal with the surplus or lack of monetary goods. The interviewee also touched upon the subject of how money cannot change the internal makeup of a person. For example, if you are are a person who is always stressed and worried, you will also be that way when you make a lot of money. The cash won't change the way you act, but you may stress over different transportation issues once you have money — such as planes instead of cars. Another concept that I learned was that having a lot of money does not make one knowledgable, or rather smart, in other topics. Despite the fact that one can be well educated in how to run a simple business, he may not be intelligent with other respects of life. Lastly, the interviewee touches upon the fact that having money does not in fact make you successful. Rather, success should be defined as having idiosyncrasies that are benevolent for our society. Being a respected individual, one that addresses his or her tasks with prudence and through the kindness of their heart, is essential for the character development of that person. Money cannot replace the kind actions that are needed to make a person truly a success.

Genius Part 2 - Chapter 7

Chapter 7 – Culture for the Price of Admission

            The author begins by explaining what one typically receives in return for an exchange. For example, money for a car is a clear exchange of economic currency for a good. However, when it comes to cultural norms such as orchestras, one cannot guarantee that the price that they pay for a ticket will guarantee them the satisfaction of good music. Rather, this is a risky bet when looking at it from an economic perspective. The author then shifts his tone by explaining that not everything can be valuated through the lens of economics, but some cultural aspects need bypass economical logic. For example, much money is gifted to orchestras so their music can be played and enjoyed; if this did not happen, many would not pay the price of admission and that would lead the extinction of an important aspect of American culture. In sum, the author concludes that in order to preserve culture, we must pay more than we should economically speaking, and hence pay the “Price of Admission.”

            

          When Brandon and I discussed the issue at hand, we thought of the issue in a different light. Just like all of the businesses that have shifted from tastier foods to healthier foods to adapt to millennials, maybe the music industry is no different. As young culture is adapting, so should its surroundings. We believe that if it is no longer economically viable to have orchestras, maybe they should fane from existence. Gift money is a temporary solution that will soon fade. This is not a solution that can keep orchestras in existence forever, but rather a short-term solution to a deeply rooted issue. We as a society have a responsibility to shift our norms to appeal to the next generation, whether we like it or not.

Genius of Money: Chapter 2

The author in the first paragraph is stating the claim that Myths can be reinterpreted to have new meanings. Furthermore, when juxtaposing the literal and figurative components of myths, it is evident that they can transform into a new telling. The next paragraph talks about excavations of ancient Greece and Rome and all myths that were literally brought from the underground. One such myth was about a shower of gold explained in the next paragraph. The tale begins with Acrisius and Princess Danae of Argos. Acrisius wants to bear a son but rather finds out that he will be killed by his grandson, so he decides to lock Danae and her servant up to prevent this from happening. 

 However, Danae is impregnated by Zeus, as depicted by the painter Titian in a golden shower.  The rest of the story is told, where the son, Perseus, eventually survives with the help of gods before slaying the gorgon Medusa.  The author explains the use of coins showering both Danae and the servant in this artwork, showing how the thought of gold can hold great spiritual implications as well as darker suggestions of wealth and greed.  He believes Titian painted his piece to illustrate the two sides, both of which manifested in every human.  This author believes art has the power to deftly portray a message while also amazing the viewer.

Genius of Money Post Chapter 14

The Touchstone and the Labyrinth

Often times when people mix around metaphors they discover that a new, more profound meaning, can become the result of this creative thinking. Despite the fact that the author was scolded by his english teachers for doing so, the author began mixing metaphors since a young age and also held firm beliefs in ideas instilled within him. When the author references the quote, "to make the visible, invisible" he is primarily talking about money. He is saying that money not only has external control over the actions of people, but also affects them from within, changing one's characteristics – an aspect of spirit and matter. Really understanding the affects of money on humans is a difficult task and must be done with humility, but even so the author is hoping to uncover more facts regarding this subject matter. He then talks about walking into a labyrinth with an open heart and discusses that an experience such as that is where one self-learns at an optimal point. Once the journey becomes vertical for one to travel upwards, the outward journey begins. When the horizontal and vertical forces intertwine with one another, a beautiful moment comes to fruition.

Furthermore, mutual understanding of a topic translates to profound meaning, which eventually turns into direct action. Value is also found through this cycle and money can be placed into the following equation so we can get a better meaning of its impact, mathematically speaking: medium of exchange (horizontal axis) measure of value (vertical axis). Labyrinth's are essential to one's learning and they can be found in a vast amount of countries around the world – they were created out of societal necessity. The stones in these labyrinth were not placed inside by accident, but rather with profound meaning. Gold and stones both represent the importance of the monument, which these labyrinths do contain. In the Mediterranean we saw the importance of gold as a medium of currency as well. We can see through an acidic process the purity of gold, and thus the value of each piece. This is how the medium of exchange and the measure of value can translate into an ancient process of tender creation.

AMDP Investment Opportunity

From:     Allen Gozini, Investment Analyst

To:          Clark Hansen, CEO

Subject:  Poopsenders Investment Opportunity

Date:       March 3, 2016

Hello Mr. Hansen,

I hope all is well.

After searching for a green business worthy of your time, I have finally found the perfect company to fit into your investment portfolio! The idea may take a little getting used to, but I can assure you that the Poopsenders is a socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, and profitable company — exactly what you’re looking for.

Before I go into further detail about Poopsenders, I would like to briefly explain some standards to consider:

Triple Bottom Line

How do you calculate a full societal cost benefit analysis of a company? This may be a little difficult given qualitative factors alongside quantitative variables, but the triple bottom line approach, which includes social responsibility, social enterprise, and carbon footprint may help!

Social Responsibility

Companies do not only have an obligation to put their shareholders in their best interest, but also have to weigh the company’s effects on environmental impact and the social wellbeing of a society. Companies should strive to go even further than satisfying environmental protection groups and regulations, and should ask themselves a simple question — Is my company helping to make my kids’ future a better place to live in?

Social Enterprise

When corporations are debating future plans, their strategies going forward should include a way to maximize improvements in human and environmental well being, focusing on social impact coupled with maximizing profits for shareholders.

Carbon Footprint

This can easily be calculated as the amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by the corporation. There are hundreds of carbon footprint calculators online so there really is no excuse for a company to not be tracking their pollution! 

Side note: don’t be deceived by companies like Tesla which claim zero emissions, the carbon footprint should include all of the greenhouse emissions it causes, that means from manufacturing, shipping, and up to the end use of the product!

Now that you’ve got an understanding in the basic concepts of Triple Bottom Line, let me introduce to you the environmentally friendly company that you might as well call the “Money Printer” after you realize your returns…

Poopsenders

This company sends prepackaged fecal matter of various animal types to a mailbox of choice. This startup has definitely picked up steam since it was founded in 2013. Although we do not have a history of the financials for this private company, they are looking to expand and send their product to more doorsteps!

Environmental Responsibility

This company took advantage of poop that was left on the ground and translated it directly to revenue. How’s that for a social enterprise strategy! The reuse of the poop shows the social responsibility of Poopsenders by reinforcing the idea of not wasting any of the earth’s resources. The carbon footprint is limited to shipping the product only.

Why Use The Service?
There are endless numbers of reasons to send poop to people. Let me help you out with a few:

•        Have an ex-husband/wife, need I say more?
•        Does your neighbors dog poop on your lawn? Maybe he can get a taste of his own sh*t.
•       Has your boss been an assh*le, return the favor!

Testimonials

Here are a couple users of the service who were definitely satisfied with their poop experience:

You can say that Amber from San Diego had a delightful experience,

 “I sent my ex-boyfriend a pile of cow dung about 3 weeks ago and last week one of this friends came up to me in a club and told me about it and asked if it was me who sent it. He's pissed off and going nuts accusing friends, you could say that's like a two for one sale. FANTASTIC!”

And that Mary from San Francisco’s neighbor finally figured out how to appropriately approach her neighbor,

 “I sent a pile of poop to my neighbor that lets her dog shit in everybody's yard. She must have gotten the message because now she carries a plastic bag around with her and actually cleans up after the dog. She never did that before. Thanks for a job well done.”

What Your Money Can Help With

Now it’s your chance to help translate a pile of sh*t to cash. Poopsenders is looking to expand its operations and wants to start shipping across borders. With your money, this environmentally friendly company will be able to move a sh*t-ton of product, and will eventually go public. So what’s holding you back, join the sh*tshow today!

Works Cited

Poopsenders.com,. "Poopsenders - The ULTIMATE Gag Gift - SWEET Revenge At Its Finest". N. p., 2016. Web. 3 Mar. 2016.

Jacobs, Amber. "Poopsenders - The ULTIMATE Gag Gift - SWEET Revenge At Its Finest". N. p., 2016. Web. 3 Mar. 2016. - Testimonial

Sacre, Mary. "Poopsenders - The ULTIMATE Gag Gift - SWEET Revenge At Its Finest". N. p., 2016. Web. 3 Mar. 2016. - Testimonial

Chuck King Rd Extra Credit Assignment

I thought this exhibit was very unique. The place to find was not too difficult to find, but boy I could not say the same thing about parking (finding free park I mean)! Overall, I had a really good experience and I loved the art that was displayed there. Here is my expression when I firsts walked in and was a little shocked to see so many decorations at once.







Just like any millennial would do, I took out my phone and started to take a few selfies at the gallery. The artwork was fantastic, so I posted my photos to my Snapchat story in an effort to get other friends to come out and check it out as well! It was actually a success, one of my friends later on joined me and we ended up looking at some artwork together.











This artwork which was listed for $1,000 and was labeled "Perforated Forever Stamp" particularly stuck out to me. Being only 17 x 28 inches, it is hard to imagine how a piece of artwork that is so basic can sell such a high price! Although I do enjoy seeing art from time to time, I have never been one to be able to value pieces.






Overall, my experience was incredible and I would love to go back again next year!