- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Why does the word "profit" have a negative connotation?
Posted on 8/18/14 at 5:02 am
Posted on 8/18/14 at 5:02 am
I started this thread a few months back, but I was thinking again today about the peculiar hostility against "for-profit" institutions, even among populist conservatives. Where does this hostility come from?
Profit (and loss) is probably the most important component of a market economy, yet in so many movies, shows, books, etc, the bad guy is always influenced by "profit", or the evil company is always doing bad things for "profit".
Nothing irritates me more than when people chastise and whine about "for-profit" firms. When one complains about profit, he or she can immediately be dismissed as economically illiterate.
Profit (and loss) is probably the most important component of a market economy, yet in so many movies, shows, books, etc, the bad guy is always influenced by "profit", or the evil company is always doing bad things for "profit".
Nothing irritates me more than when people chastise and whine about "for-profit" firms. When one complains about profit, he or she can immediately be dismissed as economically illiterate.
14
Posted on 8/18/14 at 6:05 am to HailHailtoMichigan!
I started this exact thread a few weeks ago.
DS told me I was cray.
DS told me I was cray.
Posted on 8/18/14 at 6:06 am to HailHailtoMichigan!
quote:
Nothing irritates me more than when people chastise and whine about "for-profit" firms. When one complains about profit, he or she can immediately be dismissed as economically illiterate.
The basis for this argument seems to be that all profits are the result of a zero sum game. We all know that this isn't true, but the general public doesn't seem to have a basic understanding of economic fundamentals, which allows this meme to be spread very easily.
Posted on 8/18/14 at 6:35 am to TerryDawg03
Without profit we don't have effiient distribution of investment, which threatens innovation.
Posted on 8/18/14 at 6:52 am to HailHailtoMichigan!
Short answer:
Profit-motive is just that: motive. It's the motive that has built and sustained any vibrant economy. Humans wants to improve their condition and want to have more. For the most part, it's a selfish ambition, but it's side-effects naturally improve the condition of others.
However, the phrase "money is the root of all evil" didn't just pop up out of nowhere for no reason. People will do F'd up things to make a buck. Not saying that is the case with many for-profit organizations, but that's why you see the movie plots centering around it.
Profit-motive is just that: motive. It's the motive that has built and sustained any vibrant economy. Humans wants to improve their condition and want to have more. For the most part, it's a selfish ambition, but it's side-effects naturally improve the condition of others.
However, the phrase "money is the root of all evil" didn't just pop up out of nowhere for no reason. People will do F'd up things to make a buck. Not saying that is the case with many for-profit organizations, but that's why you see the movie plots centering around it.
Posted on 8/18/14 at 6:53 am to HailHailtoMichigan!
what percentage of the US population do you think could differentiate between economic and accounting profit?
Posted on 8/18/14 at 7:18 am to HailHailtoMichigan!
Cuz Liberals.
Posted on 8/18/14 at 7:20 am to UGATiger26
quote:
However, the phrase "money is the root of all evil" didn't just pop up out of nowhere for no reason. People will do F'd up things to make a buck.
Money isn't the root of all evil, the LOVE of money is.
Posted on 8/18/14 at 7:51 am to HailHailtoMichigan!
because people only look at one side of a transaction. when people look negatively on a person for gaining a personal advantage in an exchange, they see it as a negative. the problem is that there is an assumption that this product (or progress) would be available to consumers but-for that desire to gain a personal benefit from exchanging the subject good/idea
what these people fail to see is how (1) the consumer wants/needs the good and (2) the consumer is better off with the innovation that was required to make the good. just look at this method of communication. or our super phones. or all the advances that we've made at mach 7 the past 15 years. lots of people made a frick ton of money along the way providing things to us that make all of our lives better.
what these people fail to see is how (1) the consumer wants/needs the good and (2) the consumer is better off with the innovation that was required to make the good. just look at this method of communication. or our super phones. or all the advances that we've made at mach 7 the past 15 years. lots of people made a frick ton of money along the way providing things to us that make all of our lives better.
Posted on 8/18/14 at 7:54 am to SlowFlowPro
Wonder how long these dipshits who oppose PROFIT will survive if suddenly no profit is made? Who the frick do they think pays the taxes that let them sit at home on their asses?
Posted on 8/18/14 at 8:01 am to SmackoverHawg
If profit is made off exploitation, then problems occur. Profit earned through hard work is fine. Rip off profits that exploit (gouging) is the area of concern. people before profits
Posted on 8/18/14 at 8:02 am to JEAUXBLEAUX
quote:
If profit is made off exploitation
what is "exploitation"?
i will bet that if you reduce your argument down, any adjustment in supply/price to cater to a new group's demand will fit in
Posted on 8/18/14 at 8:02 am to HailHailtoMichigan!
quote:
Why does the word "profit" have a negative connotation?
So that those who chose not to make a profit or can't may feel better about themselves when they ask to have some of those who can.
Posted on 8/18/14 at 8:04 am to HailHailtoMichigan!
I've never seen the word itself have negative connotations. I have seen the means in which some corporations work to acquire profits have negative connotations.
Posted on 8/18/14 at 8:07 am to HailHailtoMichigan!
quote:
Why does the word "profit" have a negative connotation?
Who says it has a negative connotation? Only a commie would suggest such a thing.
Posted on 8/18/14 at 8:16 am to JEAUXBLEAUX
quote:
If profit is made off exploitation, then problems occur. Profit earned through hard work is fine. Rip off profits that exploit (gouging) is the area of concern. people before profits
Well then it becomes very subjective, which is the crux of the issue.
For instance, Wal-Mart is the beacon of for-profit evil according to many. Those evil Waltons are raking in billions while they destroy mom and pop shops and force their employees to take on gov't assistance by paying peanuts.
I could make an opposite argument noting that they are the largest employer in the U.S., not to mention similar jobs in smaller establishments would pay about the same, and they provide overall cheaper goods to these same people. Wal Mart is actually the beacon of for-profit GOOD!
If Wal-Mart had no desire to seek a profit, they wouldn't be the largest provider of cheap goods in the country, thus many families would have to pay higher prices.
So which is it?
Posted on 8/18/14 at 8:21 am to rintintin
quote:
not to mention similar jobs in smaller establishments would pay about the same,
Walmart pays more, actually
and walmart offers things that mom and pop stores don't: health insurance, educational subsidies, and most importantly, promotion opportunities
quote:
If Wal-Mart had no desire to seek a profit, they wouldn't be the largest provider of cheap goods in the country, thus many families would have to pay higher prices.
exactly. that's the oft-ignored "consumer" side of the argument i was referencing
now, well-to-do libprogs will tell you that people will GLADLY pay more for goods if [insert some subjective evaluation], but they ignore the economic realities of the very people they are discussing (and in other discussions, these same libprogs will bemoan the impact that these consumers have on the general markets)
you can have a lot of this overall discussion by basically just using walmart as the talking piece
*ETA: if you want to rustle some jimmies with these elitist hacks, bring up how walmart is opening the door to organics for the poor
This post was edited on 8/18/14 at 8:22 am
Posted on 8/18/14 at 8:33 am to SlowFlowPro
I have no beef with Walmart. The beef is when companies switch from the US to say Malaysia so that their labor costs are cut tremendously. I guess the idea of paying 12 cents an hour to make a $200 sneaker etc. or when gas prices skyrocket for bs reasons. Changing to winter blend raise prices changing to summer raise prices
Posted on 8/18/14 at 8:36 am to HailHailtoMichigan!
Liberals. Pure and simple.
Posted on 8/18/14 at 8:37 am to udtiger
Exploiters gonna exploit
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News