https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/24vo34/whats_the_happiest_5word_sentence_you_could_hear/chb38xf/

A Rigged Game

The more I study the stock market and finance, the more I'm convince the entire system is deeply unfair. I've learned I can make money on the stock market fairly easily. Some will say the money is earned because I must be smart, or skilled or something. Slight problem: The amount of money I can make is entirely dependent upon how much money I have.

I started trading on margin. What's the interest rate on that? Well, depends on how much money is in the account. People with lots of money, only pay 5.75%. Not so wealthy people, pay as much as 9.75%. That means, if they were getting 10% annual return on the money before, using margin trading could increase the wealthy person's profit to 14.25%. Meanwhile the not so rich would only be getting 10.25%. I actually have an uncle who's super rich, and can borrow below 2% interest. For him, that 10% would become 18%. I've heard that hedge funds frequently operate on 10x leverage. Meaning for every dollar they have, they borrow 10. That could easily multiply their profits 5x or more (probably more, depends on how much they pay to borrow the money).

The stock market is a rigged game. The rich can make off like bandits with tons of money, while providing very little to the economy. Numbers just inflate. Even if I do eventually make enough money to support myself, I don't think I could claim to be providing society with a useful service. I'm just exploiting a rigged game.

Startup Employees Think They Are Going To Get Rich — Then A Horror Story Like This Happens

http://www.businessinsider.com/how-liquidation-preferences-work-2014-3

Bitcoin Is Broken—Here's a Simple Plan to Fix It

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/02/bitcoin-is-broken-heres-a-simple-plan-to-fix-it/283624/

Why does Kenya lead the world in mobile money?

http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2013/05/economist-explains-18?fsrc=scn/gp/wl/bl/ee/mobilemoney

Study: When resources are scarce, most people forfeit the future

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/science/study-when-resources-are-scarce-most-people-forfeit-the-future-660243/

2012 vs. 1984: Young adults really do have it harder today

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/2012-vs-1984-young-adults-really-do-have-it-harder-today/article2425558/

"Canadian Real Estate Association data show the average national price of a home in mid-1984 was $76,214. If houses kept up with inflation – and that would be a pretty good result all on its own – the average house would now cost $154,587. In April, the actual average was $369,677."

" Data from a 2011 Conference Board of Canada study on income inequality shows the average family after-tax income in 1984 was $48,500. In 2009, the latest date included in the study, income levels had risen to $60,000. In 1984, a house might have cost a family 1.6 times its annual income. Today, we’re looking at a multiple of something around six."

A Corporate Coup d’Etat

http://www.monbiot.com/2011/02/07/a-corporate-coup-detat/

Is Flattr the new Facebook Like, but this time with real money?

http://eu.techcrunch.com/2010/07/06/is-flattr-the-new-facebook-like-but-this-time-with-real-money/

I do believe the future of commerce, is in voluntary payments, not forced payments. Convincing people to want to pay you, will be the key to success.

There is a problem in America's debt collection system.

http://www.startribune.com/investigators/101723868.html?elr=KArks:DCiU1OiP:DiiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

"in Minnesota, collectors can take people's money without proving in court the debt is owed."

"When mistakes occur, consumers often must go to court and prove it. Their money already taken, they typically cannot afford an attorney and must navigate the court system alone."

That sounds pretty scary.

Passive income?

http://geniustypes.com/passive_income_strategies/

Felt a need to link this. Though it's too bad my passive income amounts to only $10-15 a year with no opportunity for growth. I don't really have the interest/passion required to make something worth more. I always dream of easy money, but I know I'll never get it. I'm too lazy.