PSYCHOLOGY|LIFE LESSON
I Used to Rob From the Rich and Gave to the Poor
How I dealt with wealth inequality
My days are numbered, literally and metaphorically, and I take that very seriously. Now that I’m well into my forties I take my finances and sense of ethics more seriously.
My views on money and ethics were much more skewed 25 years ago. I used to have what I call a “Robin Hood complex” during my early twenties. I stole from the rich and gave to the poor, myself included.
It was my way of yelling a big, fat “Fuck you!” to rich and powerful people as well as the corporations that many of them represented. It also made me feel genuinely good and useful to personally “redistribute the wealth.”
I stole some awesome and unusual things that most people I knew did not have, such as expensive, high-quality clothing, gourmet food, and even gift certificates worth hundreds of dollars.
My friends and family were the ones I gave the most. Most of them did not know how I got those things, nor did they really care. Sometimes, I gave expensive gifts to strangers, too, just to see the surprise on their faces.
I’m not proud of my past behaviors in this regard, but I’m not ashamed of them either.
