Slippery Slope - The Definition of Ambition

[ebacon]

A few days ago I read Federalist Paper #46 and was struck by the way it used the word "ambition". Basically it couched ambitious men as those that don't know when enough is enough.

Today we use the word "ambition" as if it's always a good thing.

This change in definition seems to have an effect on our body politic. For example we, on average, are afraid to tell CEOs and their politician friends, dude, you have enough. Temper your ambition. Saying something like that would quickly be derided as asking the CEO to be lazy.

I wonder how the Tea Party would deal with a leader like Hitler if they were holding their guns, listening to him talk about his ambitions, and hating those moocher Jews. A second amendment would have stopped Hitler my ass.

[BlueStreak]

"Greed is Good!" my friend. Many in my generation, that went off to college during the Reagan years firmly believe that. That if you get in the way of any "ambitious" person you are "punishing success"..................

No, we're just trying to keep the handful who don't know when enough is enough from pigging up the entire nations wealth for themselves.

Once you realize just how much misery has been caused by insatiable people in this world..................

Some would point to the unions as an example. Believe it, or not, I do see that point to some degree. However, I cannot bring myself to absolve those for whom six and seven figure salaries, multiple homes across the globe and a corporate jet at their beckoned call was never enough. And, just who is it that makes the decision to layoff, shutdown and outsource?

Last time I checked it WASN'T the guy on the assembly line.

Regards,
Dave

[finnbow]

Depending upon context, I think the word "ambitious" today has both positive and negative connotations. In today's workaday world, it can mean a willingness to stab anybody in the back to advance one's career/standing. OTOH, when used to describe students and younger professionals, it often has a positive connotation of willing to work hard and sacrifice in order to advance.

I was the latter type of ambitious until I hit ~35, got married and had kids. After that, I started to run into a bunch of the former type and wanted nothing to do with that action.

[merrylander]

As long as I was a Craftsman in Bell I was quite content, figured that I might make it to Wire Chief someday.

Then they promoted me into the Data Processing Dept. New job greater challenge, I started to see a path ahead. That pissed off my first wife, eventually ended the marriage. Well that and her insane jealousy, an emotion I just don't understand. The problem was that the view was in those days if you had not reached a certain level by your early thirties you were not going anywhere and I was already 32 when the move to Data Processing came so I only got to 2nd level management.

Then Florence and I met so I took early retirement to cover my alimony costs. When the word got out that I was available th first offer of a position and H1B visa came from Virginia so here I am. My current ambition is to enjoy life and keep my wife happy.

[mpholland]

My recliner is well aware of where my ambition lies.

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by mpholland

My recliner is well aware of where my ambition lies.

Mine too. And a small fleet of well worn remotes are evidence of my efforts towards success.

Dave

[ebacon]

Here's a book that looks like it touches on the topic. It is written by John C. Bogle, billionaire founder of the 2 trillion dollar Vanguard group. It is simply titled, "Enough."

I have not read it.

http://www.amazon.com/Enough-True-Me...ref=pd_sim_b_5

[BlueStreak]

Lately, I've read an interesting comparison between college graduates in the early 1960s as opposed to those of today. According to this author, it seems more students in the early '60s were more interested in contributions they could make in their fields. Especially in Science and Engineering. Making their mark, so to speak. Of course making money is what people have always wanted, but then it was considered more important to gain a solid reputation in your profession----first.

Today, it would seem, the emphasis is on choosing the most lucrative career path---whatever that might be, regardless of whether there is any real passion for the work or not.

And, we wonder why we have problems?

Regards,
Dave

[JJIII]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

Today, it would seem, the emphasis is on choosing the most lucrative career path---whatever that might be, regardless of whether there is any real passion for the work or not.

And, we wonder why we have problems?

Regards,
Dave

Gotta pay off those student loans ya know.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

Today, it would seem, the emphasis is on choosing the most lucrative career path---whatever that might be, regardless of whether there is any real passion for the work or not.

With the current cost of a college education, it makes sense to me to select a major that will ultimately earn enough to offset the cost. I'll admit to wondering why bright kids go to expensive schools and pay $200,000 for a major that doesn't increase their job outlook any more than their high school diploma would have.

There's something to be said for having kids who choose to use their strengths in math and science to major in something that will result in good, lucrative jobs upon graduation instead of having them move back home after college and find a job flipping burgers.