This is the second in a six-part series of perspectives on various issues in modern life contributed by Mary K. Evjen Olsen, executive director of corporate marketing at DreamVille Entertainment, a media corporation that produces and distributes TV documentaries and various culture contents worldwide. ― ED.



By Mary K. Evjen Olsen

Money, according to the definition presented and adopted by both classic and modern economists like Adam Smith (1723-90), John Keynes (1883-1946), Ludwig von Mises (1881-1973), and Milton Friedman (1912-2006), is anything that is generally accepted in payment for goods and services as well as toward the repayment of debts.

It is a commodity or token that functions as a medium of exchange, a unit of account and a store of value.

Money as a medium of value is used as an intermediary for trade, in order to avoid the inefficiencies of a conventional barter system.

Money as a unit of account is a standard numerical measurement of the market value of goods, services, and other economic transactions. Finally, money as a store of value is reliably saved, stored, and retrieved, being predictably useful when it is retrived.

These are just economic definitions of money in terms of how money technically functions and usually serves in a given economy of any size. How money is regarded, earned, and spent in today's world of excessive consumption and competition, however, suggests an entirely new aspect for us to reflect on.

Considering how money offers us flexibility, security, comfort, and convenience through freedom of choice in so many aspects of life, money is undoubtedly extremely important in everybody's life and no one could dare underestimate its value or power.

However, is money the most or the only important element in life for us humans to revere, envy, and pursue over everything at all costs?

Observing the prevalent perception and common habits of modern people in regard to money in today's world, especially in developed countries, one cannot help but apprehend many other values of importance that seem to be fast diminishing and deteriorating in our midst.

During the 20th century's fast-paced, uncontrolled economic development and growth, and in the socio-economic and political imbalance that divided developed and underdeveloped countries around the globe, too many of us seem to have set money, or financial success, as the ultimate goal or purpose in life!

One can be curious as to what has made people believe or be convinced that unlimited or excessive money would guarantee him/her a truly happy, rich, or emotionally satisfying and spiritually rewarding life, when so many of us, either directly or indirectly, have witnessed all the negative, disastrous by-products of ``too much'' money in life!

Has not the world seen enough of the most gruesome, despicable, greed-for-money-driven crimes committeed by people in nearly every sector of life ― politics, business, education and even religion?

Has not the world seen enough of people stumble over and fall into ruin by compromising their bottom-line integrity over a little bit more money?

Has not the world learned yet that an excessive amount of wealth or money sitting in a bank account as a store of value is actually conflicting with the major role of money as a medium of exchange?

Does not the world know that everything, especially money of all forms, we possess, store, or build on Earth today will all eventually turn to dust, and that none will ever be able to take it with them at the time of their last breath?

Or, are we just conveniently ignoring this common truth of life because the short-lived pleasure and power bought through money is simply too tempting to resist?

One of the saddest, most nauseating things observed in today's world is probably watching people with excessive wealth indulge in a completely meaningless lifestyle of selfish spending.

Take a look at the celebrity couple Beyonce and Jay-Z, for instance. The April 14 edition of People magazine revealed that the couple's combined income in 2007 was $169 million. Jay-Z, the rapper turned entrepreneur, alone has an estimated net worth of $300 million, nearly one third of the total government revenue of developing countries like Cambodia.

How do they spend their money? On vacations-yachting in Saint Tropez, sunning in St. Barts and serious shopping in department stores like Harrods in London, according to People magazine. In 2006 the magazine said Jay-Z bought Beyonce a Rolls Royce worth approximately $1 million for her birthday.

A classic case where money is only corrupting and impeding sound judgement of a soul, not serving as a beautiful, wholesome tool that cures, rescues, and saves millions of precious lives.

Here, one cannot help but wonder again just to what degree such a wealthy celebrity couple can be ignorant or insensitive about the reality of the rest of their world and the terrifying suffering their fellow humans are experiencing because of indescribable poverty.

How is it possible that such a fair-looking, resourceful couple are not aware of the true impact or the positive difference their resources alone could possibly make to millions of people?

How is it possible that a couple of such fame and financial privilege could be living a life of zero value or perspectives, not knowing that they have the power to transform an entire nation? It is a mystery.

By the way, why is it that a beautiful, posh-looking celebrity couple like Beyonce and Jay-Z look so unbelievably cheap in front of such an expensive car worth $1 million?