Wealth – Part 1
Part One; Material Wealth
Our material wealth is our most obvious form. We are recognized by our displays, and this affects our social status and other forms of happiness. Some material wealth is our tools in their various forms and these allow us to exercise abilities which are part of our personal worth and allow us to accrue monetary wealth. Some is essential; food and fluids, shelter and clothing. I possess many objects, most which might be classified as “Junk” by people other than me. I alone know the history or provenance of most of my stuff, so I would assign it a value where others would not.
What we “Have” is open to question. We own some things outright. Other things we have rights to, or can use. Rental is a common form of temporary possession. Many of our dwelling are owned by banks, but we have full use of them. For a short time you may have ownership of a seat in a theater. If the show goes well this property may increase in value, a value it loses when the last curtain falls. (I have had seats that lost all value before the first act was done). We have the right to use a public park. This right has an ever-changing value depending on whether we use the park, if the park is in good repair, and even as the weather changes. Even the homes we think we own are not fully ours. Others must agree to not trespass on our property. The Government must forbear to take it. Some strange fellows may arrive one day to drill for oil in our yards, and have the right to do it.
Ownership now can be a tenuous thing. We “Own” time-share apartments and condominium units. We lease vehicles and sort of own them. The classic item of possessed wealth is gold. It is highly valued and considered a safe thing to have. But a modern trend is to “Buy” gold bars that you never see. You trust someone to keep them safe somewhere for you, if the bars exist at all.
Much material wealth has different monetary value to different people. I read recently that a painting sold at auction for a record-breaking price. Millions. I am sure this buyer valued his money less than I value mine. I saw a picture of the picture. You would have to pay me to take it since it is too large for my garbage can and I would have to pay to have it hauled off.
The provenance of some property is its worth, especially to its possessor. Heirlooms have histories and these histories are of interest to some and very important to those related to a prior owner. I own an antique bureau which was bought at auction by a great-great grandfather and brought back to his farm on his horse-drawn wagon. From what I hear of this ancestor, it went for a very low bid. I value it highly.
The tales that attach to art objects greatly enhance their value. Over the last twenty five years I have worked as an artist, studied art, and been an art museum docent. For buyers, and more for collectors, the producer or provenance of an object is important to its worth. An artist who abuses his mistress, gets shot by one of his wives, or has a spicy affair produces much more wanted art than one who just has a wife and family. I knew I could never produce art of any great value.
Materials and goods have value to us individually often because of their purpose. My refrigerator is stocked with items that stand between me and hunger. (And some are the gateway to botulism. I have to devalue and dispose of these sometime.) My home is an inanimate welfare case; always demanding shingles, siding, repairs, electricity and water. In return it keeps my body temperature comfortable and gives me a sense of well-being. I will keep the house.
Most material wealth is created, and mostly by other people. But we can create property for our own ownership and use. In my past I have needed tables which I made. Good strong ones. I still use them and remember every screw and dowel that I put in them. I have made boats, mostly because I needed a certain form for my use and it was the most affordable way to get it. (When you row your own boat, ease in going through the water and stability are very important and personal.)
My wife and I both created visual art. I have an awful lot of pictures (Lot of awful pictures?) because of this. In my work as a museum docent I often present art works obtained from the estates of various artists. The stuff they couldn’t sell, we might think. In some cases, if not most, this thinking is derived from an obsession with money as wealth. Another side of this is that artists are reluctant to part with their creations. For a couple of years my wife would not sell her pieces, and I still have some of hers I would not sell because of memories attached to them. My own works are the same. I have much better works on the walls of home than I offer for sale at the gallery.
We also include in our material worth intelligent property. From ancient times this has included livestock, working animals, and pets. And slaves. Some regard their spouses as property. A few get away with this; a supportive religion helps.
A problem for me is what had formerly been inanimate objects have gained intelligence and a high degree of self-determination. In times past I would occasionally check the tires on my car and when I saw a difference in the tread wear between the bow and stern, I rotated them or had this done. My newest car now insists I rotate them very frequently and it gives me signals of impending doom if I don’t. I put tape over the impending doom signal, but you get my point.
I am now unsure whether ownership of “Smart” objects is truly possession. But as long as the object or material can be exchanged it can be measured as wealth.
Value of material
Age, Provenance, Availability (Rarity)
Wear, Condition
Style
Usefulness
[ NOTE: Reasons for various possessions a key to personality. Variety of tools = variety of talents (if they are there for use). Copious libraries indicate thinkers? Display – image, employment – capability.)