RT phil beisel (@pbeisel)The ultimate litmus test for your fellow human beings?Ask them what they think of Elon Musk’s compensation plan.If their first response is some tired “billionaires are obscene” trope, it tells you everything you need to know:You’re talking to someone who’s never built anything: a taker, not a maker.But it runs deeper than ignorance — it’s envy.That slow, corrosive sin that eats you from the inside out, warping perspective until resentment becomes your native tongue. It doesn’t wound ...

Core Argument - Envy is a common human emotion rooted in comparison, driven by both evolutionary instincts and modern social pressures [2][3][4] - Social media exacerbates envy by presenting curated highlights, leading to negative self-perception, with 48% of teens reporting feeling worse about themselves due to social media comparisons [5] - Envy can be a valuable source of information, indicating unrealized desires and potential paths for personal growth [8][9] Psychological Insights - The gap between one's real self and ideal self, widened by social media, fuels envy [6] - Envy often stems from a desire to emulate qualities or achievements seen in others, reflecting personal aspirations [7] - Societal expectations and external pressures can lead individuals to pursue goals that are not genuinely their own, contributing to feelings of envy [10][11][12] Practical Application - When experiencing envy, it's beneficial to reflect on the source of the emotion and identify the underlying desires it reveals [8][9] - Envy should be viewed as data, providing insights into personal aspirations, rather than as a negative emotion to be suppressed [9] - Awareness and understanding of envy can empower individuals to pursue their own authentic goals and live more fulfilling lives [15]

Behavioral Biases - Self-serving bias can lead to detrimental financial decisions, such as overspending income [1] - Envy, resentment, revenge, and self-pity are identified as disastrous modes of thought, potentially impacting decision-making [1] - Self-pity is closely related to paranoia, which can negatively affect judgment [1]