Money VS Power
Text: Gordana Ristić, Research: N. Rankusović, Photo: Archives, November 2008 |
Women were hardest to speak to about this subject, perhaps for the following reasons: 1. They were busy with numerous photo shoots for front covers, where they all cultivate the aesthetics of the much-maligned celebrity scene; 2. They don’t know the answer to this question, but that doesn’t prevent them from wondering, at least from time to time, why women’s position is such as it is… They agreed to have their photo taken, without volume, though even the photo is unrealistic. Nor as pretty as it might have been.
There were also some polite people who said they were sorry and showed basic good manners. Generally, the majority of people in the public eye wouldn’t know what to say about the money-power relationship, and the few who do know something, wouldn’t dare address the subject as it would mean revealing their inner selves, which could lead to unpleasant repercussions. Those who were willing to talk to us gave us varied and sincere views.
Of course money isn’t a source of power. Ideas are the greatest power. However, money is overrated here, it is turned into the be-all and end-all. Instead of serving us and our ideas, we’re all becoming subservient to the idea of money… |
Isidora Bjelica, |
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Power is easily transformed. Power mobilises, destroys and builds. Power knows no frontiers unless it encounters a greater and stronger power. That is what makes money and power so alike…... |
Veran Matić, |
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My favourite tycoon, who happens to head the Forbes list, Warren Buffett, has given the massive sum of USD 31bn to charity, lives in a modest house worth USD 300,000 and married a waitress in his home town. When we talk about eternal wealth, my favourite “strongman” is a monk whose prayers God can hear. And anything is possible for God! The only true measure of power is human weakness… when we reach for God. In essence, money is a means of buying anything and everything, including even certain powers.
The only power that inspires true respect is the power of sharing and generosity. The rich and famous have understood that as well…
Creators have the greatest power. They change our lives with new inventions, knowledge and works that reveal or create new worlds, emotions and visions. Then someone sells them and commercialises them. That is also a kind of power, but not as great as that of creation. Money that contributes to a better world, nobility and art is worth more. Money that serves people and humanism is worth more. But, let`s not kid ourselves: it’s we who have let money be worth more than ourselves. We give it its value. Money isn’t to blame for that, nor those who personify it, but rather those who glorify it and who, in “not having” it, overrate “having” it.
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