259
Started from the bottom now we here
(lemmy.ml)
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
this post was submitted on 22 Apr 2026
259 points (100.0% liked)
Inventing Reality
569 readers
563 users here now
When the media decides who you are rooting for.
founded 10 months ago
MODERATORS
So honest question: if someone has decent means - not multi millionaire level, but good savings, steady job - what would be the ethical way for them to handle their savings?
If they own a house, they could invest in it, making it grow in value (within whatever overall value a house in that neighborhood can take).
They could invest in various funds or ETFs, basically investing in the market and contributing to the system making rich people richer... And even with efforts in conscientious investing or sustainable investing the ability to invest are few and far between.
They could intentionally let their money, uninvested, sitting in the bank account, but then you're making the bank make money with your deposit, not any better...
So then if they're thinking "ok, I'll invest in real estate, buy a duplex and be a good landlord, price my 2 appartements decently and take good care of them", it seems the sentiment is they'd be lumped in with slum lords as being disgusting greedy human beings...
What's the solution? What's the moral, ethical thing to do here?
If you don't need it for yourself, use it to support good causes.
Any form of investing that expects a return is ultimately driving and benefiting from the machine of exploitation.
Isn’t there some optimization point where you grow your wealth and status throughout life, presumably using the machine of exploitation, then at some point begin “paying it back” through means such a charity, helping around your community, or (depending on how well you did) exerting industry or political influence for change?
I find it hard to believe opting out of the economy is the best way to foment change, especially when there are so many out there without any such scruples, happy to scoop up what you’d carve out for your ethical ideas.
To answer your first question, that sounds to me like arrogance and selfishness. It shows a belief that you think you know better than others, and because of that you can put those resources to a better use than the people who were exploited would have. I think that that attitude is often harmful even in people who think they have good intentions.
You should try to use your best judgement to decide how to best spend your resources, but you should not force those choices on others by taking their resources and redirecting them towards what you think is better.
As for "opting out of the economy", I didn't advocate for that. To survive, a person has to interact with the economy as a worker and a consumer. However, a person does not have to interact with the economy as a shareholder.
There is no ethical consumption under capitalism, but you must consume anyways. There is no ethical investing under capitalism, and you can choose to put your money elsewhere. That is the difference.
i don't think there can be much ethical investing under capitalism
for the average person, my opinion is that it's perfectly acceptable and even encouraged for them to invest in sustainable/ethical index funds. and I'm fine with them having some broad investments in the regular market
at the end of the day, we're not taking down the system overnight and people need secure futures. I would guess that the sum investments of the average joe don't get anywhere near those of the top 1% and of corporations, and so their effect is negligible.
still, I tried to avoid investing in companies I dislike, though I do have some broad market index funds
If you are capable, you could start a personal business. Maybe make and sell something unique, provide some sort of service, provide a community space for arts, recreation, education, etc. Grow a market enough to need more people, and then form your business into a coop. Instead of hiring employees and absorbing the profits from their productivity, cut them into the business and share in the collective rewards of teamwork and collaboration. Out compete capitalists by being a company with a happy dedicated workforce with a direct incentive to achieve more. Or don't worry about competition and just find your niche and set an example of a competent producer/service provider that isn't a profit driven sociopath, but content to be a valuable member of your community.
did you earn that money in the imperial core? was your success ultimately built on the suffering of others?
If possible invest in NEW housing.
By funding a build and putting a built property onto the market its a lot easier for people to purchase without having to pay rent while the house is being built. I know people who do this and reliably make 10% profit every time.
This is why I just do index investing. If I did rent property out, I would try to be as fair as possible, but a bad tenant can definitely fuck you over and make life hell. I don't want to get radicalized that direction.