I live in India and I am pretty poor, I hope to be middle-class/upper-middle class someday, but I have noticed something sinister from some people who are extremely privileged, they can be still be bought with money.

Lack of money makes you desperate, and paranoid, and comparison drives you crazy, hard to be morally perfect as a poor man, but I see actors who have made insane amounts of money on the backs of their Indian fans like Shahrukh Khan, Canada Kumar, Ajay Devgan, Hrithik Roshan and many more who are well-respected in the industry and who still can sell their own fans financial ruin (gambling) or death (Tobacco) in ads. I thought the point of being rich was that you could be more moral, what is the use of getting rich if you use your influence and fame to do more harm than good?

Also, all the actors mentioned above have made numerous movies about patriotism, many in their private conversations like to brag how much they “love their country… blah… blah… blah”, but yet they feel ok selling Tobacco to their fans who made them what they are.

I have a cousin who worships Shahrukh Khan and who took up Pan(Tobacco) because he was naive and because he probably thought it was “cool” since his favorite actor (on whom he has modeled all aspects of his life was selling tobacco), thankfully we were able to get him off that a few years ago, but he spent money like water and he gained worse health for it. He got off easy, many suffered financial ruin or even death. So, when is it fucking enough!? When will these people have enough money?

edit: It’s just not India, it happens everywhere (just watch CoffeeZilla to see more prime examples of this) Also, I am not saying I am perfect, if someone gave me an insane amount of money to sell Pan, I will, judge me if you will. But, I like to think if I had “enough” money, I would be immune to the attractions of blood money, I like to think I can try to be as moral as I can be then, but these people almost make me think that there is never “enough” money.

edit 2: Kurt Vonnegut’s Quote on Money is quite interesting

  • Mothra@mander.xyz
    0·
    4 months ago

    There isn’t an “enough” threshold. It depends from person to person, basically, if you can do something and you get paid for that, then you do it. It’s even easier to accept doing it if whatever you need to do is easy for you.

    So in the case of an actor, “we’ll pay you a ton of money to sell tobacco and gambling” can be very tempting because it’s easy for them. Also it gives them more exposure and fame, and you may think they already have enough but no. If they don’t take it someone else will and they will no longer be top N.1.

    Sorry kid but people don’t make money to increase their moral understanding. They make money to afford living a certain lifestyle. For most people, it’s just covering basic needs. Maybe to help their families do the same. But for those who already have all that covered it’s just to gain more, and you are right it’s really sad they don’t care how. They should care.