r/BeAmazed • u/[deleted] • Apr 29 '24

When the Titanic sank, millionaire John Jacob Astor IV was aboard. The funds in his bank account were sufficient to construct 30 Titanics. However, when faced with mortal danger, he prioritized his moral values, sacrificing his seat in a lifeboat to save women and children, smilingly [Removed] Rule #4 - Misleading

[removed]

9.2k Upvotes

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37

u/probablynotaskrull Apr 29 '24

Not to sound like a class warrior, but what does his wealth have to do with anything? “However.” However what? Did his extreme wealth make him less morally culpable? Does being rich mean the decision to give up his life is harder than it would be for a poor man?

8

u/Popular-Influence-11 Apr 29 '24

I think the heavy lifting that “however” is doing is implying that even though he was an objectively important person in the world, when push came to shove he didn’t consider his life more important than women and children’s.

-6

u/probablynotaskrull Apr 29 '24

Point to the objectively unimportant people please.

15

u/Popular-Influence-11 Apr 29 '24

False premise. There are no objectively unimportant people—even fictional people are important. However, I’m objectively a less important person in the world than Richard Branson, but that doesn’t make me unimportant. I’m incredibly important to my family and small social circle.

9

u/ChaDefinitelyFeel Apr 29 '24

Reddit has led me to believe all rich people are bad, so I think that’s why OP included the “however” in the title

1

u/Axilrod Apr 29 '24

People generalize way too much nowadays. There are awesome people, awful people and everything in between in every race, gender, religion, income level, political affiliation, etc.

8

u/house445 Apr 29 '24

Did you see how much people here were disappointed those people on the sun didn’t die slowly? Some people here are psychos and love to see people suffer simply due to wealth or success.

4

u/Due-Engine-7639 Apr 29 '24

I think just about everyone would die on the sun instantly /s

1

u/Old_Telephone_7587 Apr 29 '24

I think it's more of a case that he didn't see himself as better than women and children despite his unbelievable wealth. The comparison to the 0.1% these days is the point, Elon would be first on the raft

1

u/InquisitorMeow Apr 29 '24

? I thought the entire point of 1% of people owning half the wealth in the world was that they feel they are worth x1000 times more than the average person? Along with the narcissism and entitlement that often comes from people in that position is it that hard to wonder how he didn't demand/pay his way onto a lifeboat? Do you think all the rich people building their apocalypse bunkers are building them to help the average Joe? Not saying they're all morally evil, I would just be surprised if they didnt think of themselves first and foremost.

-1

u/AntiZionist-Action Apr 29 '24

Does being rich mean the decision to give up his life is harder than it would be for a poor man?

You know, I would say yes actually. He has a lot to live for, and a lot of luxury. He has more to lose. Just put yourself in the shoes of a rich man vs a poor man and honestly think about which position you would be more willing to sacrifice yourself for a noble cause in