I'm getting tired of being told on Twitter that I'm a multimillionaire. Apparently, there are several "net worth" sites that simply make up their figures.
It's especially frustrating for two reasons.
1. I publish a full account of my assets and income: monbiot.com/registry-of-in…
It's especially frustrating for two reasons.
1. I publish a full account of my assets and income: monbiot.com/registry-of-in…
2. I deliberately limit my income.
I get offered some extremely lucrative gigs (sometimes $20k for a single talk). I turn them down.
Why?
Partly because I won't fly
Partly because I won't take corporate money
Partly because I believe journalists shouldn't become too rich.
I get offered some extremely lucrative gigs (sometimes $20k for a single talk). I turn them down.
Why?
Partly because I won't fly
Partly because I won't take corporate money
Partly because I believe journalists shouldn't become too rich.
There's plenty of evidence that, on average, the richer people become, the less they relate to the lives of others and the less they care.
In this respect, wealth impoverishes us.
In this respect, wealth impoverishes us.
Our most pervasive myth is that we'll achieve happiness by striving to maximise the money we own. The fairytale ending for all lives is supposed to be becoming a millionaire. But in my experience, NOT striving to maximise wealth relieves a great deal of pressure and stress.
It gives me time to focus on what counts, rather than on what is counted.
What this means in practice is that I spend roughly two days of every working week on unpaid work. Much as I enjoy the paid work, the unpaid hours are almost always the most fulfilling, interesting and enjoyable ones.
