The Quid Pro Quo of Altruism and Greed

If I love myself I will express that love in my interactions with you, and then I am being impeccable with the word, because that action will produce a like reaction. If I love you, then you will love me. If I insult you, you will insult me. If I have gratitude for you, you will have gratitude for me. If I’m selfish with you, you will be selfish with me. If I use the word to put a spell on you, you are going to put a spell on me. (Location 314)

• To give with the expectation to receive
• Every action has an equal and opposite reaction

Yet Smith’s claim that the selfish human urge to increase private profits is the basis for collective wealth is one of the most revolutionary ideas in human history – revolutionary not just from an economic perspective, but even more so from a moral and political perspective. What Smith says is, in fact, that greed is good, and that by becoming richer I benefit everybody, not just myself. Egoism is altruism. (Location 4793)

Patronage is an emerging funding system for online creators today, but it’s frequently conflated with the concept of “donations.” Patronage isn’t motivated by altruism but by an interest in following a creator’s future work, based on their current reputation. It’s more like a subscription than a donation. (Location 3118)

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