Shoot Me Now
“Fuck You Money” is a term used in the world of Wall Street investment bankers and traders. It is a vulgar term, reeking of self-importance, self-absorption and cynicism. And, it is kept close to the vest, used mostly just between those within the closeted community of Wall Street; even they recognize its vulgarity. But it is a real term, with real meaning: FU Money “represents the amount of money you'd need in order to professionally disregard anybody else's needs.” It is walking away money that affords one the ability to say FU to those left behind.
The definition suggests that at some place on the planet within this career path there is consideration for the needs of others. That seems doubtful, at least for those who use and believe in this term. If FU money is a real phrase – and it is – a better definition might be the price one pays personally when your professional standard is to ignore the considerations of anyone other than yourself. What emerges in the void is that nothing other than money matters, that the more one earns the more deserving one is, and the more virtuous and special, and the wealth is never netted against the cost, the price one pays for it. That is a problem for the people in that community but more so for our society at large.
WHEN NOTHING MORE THAN MONEY MATTERS MOST, THOSE WITH MONEY HAVE THE MOST SAY. THAT’S SCREWED UP
A starter job on Wall Street is as an analyst, and with time, hard work, and the right attitude there might be the possibility of promotion to VP or Director status. This is when the FU Money spigot starts, and with it the bizzarro obligations to “buy a bigger, fancier house, and a flashier, more expensive car;” “to join the clubs;” “to take the most indulgent of vacations, at the toniest of destinations;” and, the more problematic “time to get involved in your community.” God forbid.
Income inequality is a fundamental problem and while we can later get into the data and facts even JP Morgan Chase acknowledges that Income Inequality is an existential problem in America. The issue is not just that a few earn profoundly so much more than others, but instead that those who do earn the “big money” assume positions of influence within our communities, within our governments, within our social and cultural organizations. It is the rare person who has the moral integrity to endorse and further any position that might result in the lessening of one’s own power, status, or wealth, but particularly not one who has so little respect for his/her place of work, his/her co-workers, his/her self that they actually aspire towards FU Money.
WE NEED INVOLVED PEOPLE ABLE TO LOOK BEYOND THEIR OWN INTERESTS
Certainly we need qualified people in positions of influence and effect, but more than anything we need people who believe in things that extend far beyond themselves or their own personal interests. Change for the better is difficult. The world is structured to preserve the status quo, to protect those most fortunately positioned. Positive change requires sublimation to the interests of others and the broader society as a whole. It requires a deeper belief system, deeply integrated within all of our lives. Effective positive change requires music and the arts that explore the immense powers of beauty, love, faith, regret and devotion that color who we are as a people and to what we aspire.