but Penn Jillette is exceedingly rich sitting atop an estimated $175 million net worth. By my estimation, both are winning.
In general perhaps, this particular case I don’t think so. Penn’s vision for a fair society is being frustrated by the old boy’s club, and without them even putting much effort into it. Obama is being rewarded for his place in the game, Penn is being handicapped by his (and fortunately has enough resources that the handicap is more than tolerable).
Let “winning” be “increasing one’s own utility function”. Or “achieving one’s goals”.
Utility functions can wildly differ (think psychopath vs saint), giving the appearance of an overly broad definition for “winning”. But I think that’s a proper one.
Well, okay, I just mean… the biggest factor in fulfilling that particular part of their utility functions is what utility function they have, not any particular ability or choice on their part.
In general perhaps, this particular case I don’t think so. Penn’s vision for a fair society is being frustrated by the old boy’s club, and without them even putting much effort into it. Obama is being rewarded for his place in the game, Penn is being handicapped by his (and fortunately has enough resources that the handicap is more than tolerable).
This seems like an overbroad definition of “winning”...
Let “winning” be “increasing one’s own utility function”. Or “achieving one’s goals”.
Utility functions can wildly differ (think psychopath vs saint), giving the appearance of an overly broad definition for “winning”. But I think that’s a proper one.
Well, okay, I just mean… the biggest factor in fulfilling that particular part of their utility functions is what utility function they have, not any particular ability or choice on their part.