General Discussion

paleotn

(22,460 posts)

30. Getting really rich isn't necessarily a function of intelligence

Wed Apr 22, 2026, 11:19 AM

20 hrs ago

Although that might help, it’s certainly not a requirement The main thing is simply being in the right place at the right time, with the goddess of probability smiling on them. Otherwise, all the MENSA folks would be swimming in cash. They’re not.

It’s like PowerBall. Sheer chance far outweighs skill. And like a lottery, there’s thousands to millions who did the same sorts of things and didn’t get rich. But we don’t think about them. Just the people who won. Much of the hype around the billionaire class, specifically why they’re billionaires, is for the most part a case of survivorship bias.

They’re not special. Just lucky. Add immorality and ruthlessness to the mix, and there you have it.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

misanthrope Totally Tunsie

33 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Oh NO! OMFG NO! Billionaire SUES Grampy, says his multi-million dollar Crypto investment was "procured through fraud" [View all] Miles Archer 23 hrs ago OP

HaHa Sanity Claws 23 hrs ago #1

Maybe to get an investigation dropped... surfered 23 hrs ago #3

The Biden administration was investigating him. That investigation niyad 23 hrs ago #9

Sun paid the Trump family $56 million in January 2025 muriel_volestrangler 21 hrs ago #26

Thank you for this information. So gllad I had not yet eaten. niyad 20 hrs ago #31

Seems a few of shithole's cult members are "maybe" seeing the light?............ Lovie777 23 hrs ago #4

You have to wonder how so many billionaires are such dumb fucks. chicoescuela 23 hrs ago #2

Eggsactly! erronis 22 hrs ago #15

Thinking making unholy gobs of money doesn't always take a lot of intelligence if the absence of moralality is great Attilatheblond 22 hrs ago #18

As my old sig line said, Wednesdays 21 hrs ago #24

Getting really rich isn't necessarily a function of intelligence paleotn 20 hrs ago #30

Anyone know the statute of limitations for CRIMINAL FRAUD (CA & FEDERAl?) hlthe2b 23 hrs ago #5

Sadly, with so much that needs to be corrected, repaired, addressed, there will be little time to actually punish Attilatheblond 22 hrs ago #19

let them fight. mopinko 23 hrs ago #6

Dont fuck with rich people's money Johonny 23 hrs ago #7

Fraud? UpInArms 23 hrs ago #8

Apparently whatever he was promised for his bribe was not delivered JT45242 22 hrs ago #10

This was exactly the case, we can be sure of that Bluetus 21 hrs ago #21

Well, um, grifting billionaires was maybe Baitball Blogger 22 hrs ago #11

Wait I thought everything was wine and roses in billionaire land Blue Owl 22 hrs ago #12

Right on! Greedy billionaire loses money. Stupid jerk lost his mind. So good to hear. Wonder Why 22 hrs ago #13

The guys who bankrupted casinos can't do fake money either? Wounded Bear 22 hrs ago #14

Yep EuterpeThelo 22 hrs ago #16

How to tell people he's stupid without saying it radical noodle 22 hrs ago #17

Lawyer up Barron Aviation Pro 21 hrs ago #20

LOL, the OP headline reminded me of this Wednesdays 21 hrs ago #22

An idiot files a public notice of his stupidity RainCaster 21 hrs ago #23

There is NO get the red out 21 hrs ago #25

why is crypto still a thing? cab67 21 hrs ago #27

Money laundering nt drmeow 21 hrs ago #28

That's hilarious. Hey, I'll call this guy to sell him the Brooklyn Bridge. Dave Bowman 21 hrs ago #29

Do ytou have the wrong story? I thought that Trump was suing himself for trillions (at our expense) for TrumpCoin's fail usonian 20 hrs ago #32

TickTock Joinfortmill 10 hrs ago #33