Recent capitalism, to be clear, is abnormal.
A handful of successful individuals possess astronomical assets.
Allowing such a cruel and arguably otherworldly wealth gap is a denial of freedom, democracy, and a human rights issue.
According to Forbes' 2023 Billionaires List released in April 2023, the top-ranked individual is Bernard Arnault of France, with a net worth of $211 billion (approximately ¥27.85 trillion), making him the first French person to claim the top spot.
Bernard Arnault is the Chairman and CEO of LVMH, a luxury brand conglomerate that includes Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.
Second place is Elon Musk, who held the top spot the previous year, with a net worth of $180 billion (approximately ¥23.76 trillion).
In third place is Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, with a net worth of $114 billion (approximately ¥15.5 trillion).
Others on the list include Microsoft's founder Bill Gates at 6th place, Google's Larry Page at 12th place, and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg at 16th place.
Founders of major corporations who have become winners in the capitalist society hold immense wealth.
However, what are these astronomical numbers for? Are they national budgets?
It's mind-boggling that these figures are so enormous, far beyond the reach of politicians, high-ranking bureaucrats, doctors, lawyers, and even celebrities.
Some might argue that there's nothing wrong with the massive wealth of corporate founders who have succeeded in the capitalist society.
Yet, having a society where a single founder possesses an unmanageable amount of wealth is, plainly speaking, insane.
What's going on here? I often wonder.
The fact that a handful of founders can amass such massive wealth is thanks to the over 8 billion people living on this planet.
And yet, now, these over 8 billion individuals have become little more than fertilizer to nurture a handful of founders.
These few founders gaze upon a vastly different landscape from their towering perch in the sky, while the masses become mere fertilizers.
"Spend money as you please, watch the Titanic, and enjoy capitalism while you're at it."
I found myself wanting to say out of frustration.
"If young people mistakenly believe they can become like those founders, they'll ruin their lives."
Some economists argue that without capable managers, the economy wouldn't prosper.
However, are there truly worthy leaders deserving of astronomical wealth?
I doubt it. A world where an elite few who managed to thrive amid over 8 billion people can accumulate all the wealth is the reality.
Unless this crazy form of capitalism, which contradicts "freedom and democracy," is corrected, humanity might face ruin.
