BRANDFORUM DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES

Money VS Power

We asked various people for their opinion on how these two values sit with each other and how we relate to them. It wasn’t easy. Some, like Governor Jelašić, were genuinely busy, so we didn’t insist. Others were a bit uncomfortable with the topic and didn’t want to be interviewed.

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,
author

“New Face of Serbia” is just one of the goals that our culture focuses on. A cultural product is needed for that goal, and in order to reach it, the infrastructural conditions and additional money need to be provided.

Nebojša Bradić, Minister of Culture

I am powerful thanks to sport and the results I have achieved (World no.2 doubles player on the ATP list), but also thanks to love and my family as well…

Nenad Zimonjić, tennis player
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,
RTV B92 director

Money is power, or, to be more precise, it is a way (nowadays, probably the only way, provided we leave out the phantasm of the red atomic button) of displaying political power, the power of this world…

Vukašin Milićević, priest

Which is older? Power. It existed even before the old Phoenicians invented money that is, together with fire and the wheel, one of civilisation’s three greatest inventions. The power of the most skilful deer hunter in the Mesozoic Age, the power of the first builders, the power of the supreme shaman and a tribe`s witch doctor. Then the power of the state, its force and laws. Or the power of Diogen`s thought, a Rembrandt portrait, Chopin`s mazurka…

Boško Jakšić, journalist

First, money is a deity that can transform human characteristics inside-out and fraternise irreconcilably. Secondly, money is a common prostitute, everyone enjoys it, but, at the same time, it is a macro of people and nations. Marx`s witty and suggestive text, which I’m unable to quote, but which I’ll try to paraphrase, goes something like this: “I am ugly, but I have money and, with it, I can buy beautiful women.”

Rodoljub Šabić, Trustee for Information of Public Importance

 

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.   


More in Brandomania magazine

© 2008-2009 Freemental Communications. All rights reserved. Homepage About us Partners Marketing Conditions of Use Impressum Contact