This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World.
This video is my full review of Ultimate Spider-Man #4 by Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto. Enjoy!
Ultimate Spider Man #4 Review: Power, Responsibility, And Date Night!
Filed under Jack's World, Marvel, Spider-Man, superhero comics, YouTube
How AI Companions Can Be Helpful AND Harmful
It is not easy finding that special someone. It never has been, even if you’re rich, beautiful, and have strong social skills. Every generation encounters new challenges in their pursuit of love and companionship. I know I have. I’ve even shared some of those struggles before.
At the moment, I have not found that special someone. I am single, I live alone, and I currently have no romantic prospects of any kind. I’m honestly not even sure where to begin at this point in my life. Nearly everyone else in my immediate family has settled down and started having kids. I am very much behind the curve in that regard.
However, there are some individuals who are in an even tougher situation. I know I am lucky in many regards. I own my own home. I own my own car. I’m never behind on my bills or anything. But there are plenty of men and women my age who have none of that. Some of the people I went to college with are still stuck in debt and can’t even afford to pursue a serious relationship.
In that sense, I don’t blame anyone for seeking other forms of companionship. Loneliness really does suck. It is objectively bad for your health. While it has become a hot topic, even in political fields, it has also led to some controversial trends. And among the most contentious involves people seeking AI companions.
Now, before I go any further, I want to make clear that I am somewhat reluctant to talk about this. While I’m usually up for any discussions about artificial intelligence, especially with how it may affect our love lives, this one specific aspect of AI is riddled with complications.
On one hand, there’s the general stigma. Most AI companions, such as Replika, are essentially idealized avatars of whatever kind of companion the user wants. If a man wants an AI girlfriend to look like a porn star and have hair like a girl from his favorite fantasy anime, he can have that and the personality to match. And while that is appealing, as a product, it still carries a stigma with it.
Men like this who use AI companions aren’t seen in a very sympathetic light. They’re more likely to be seen as examples of toxic male behavior. They’re not just lonely and in need of companionship. They’re seen as perverts who prefer a girlfriend that they can turn off, manipulate, or control in whatever way they please.
And make no mistake, there are men who treat their AI companions like that. They’re not all that subtle about it, either. But most of these men were shallow, crass, and crude before the advent of AI companions. They would’ve been that way regardless of whether or not this technology existed. There have always been men like that. And there always will be to some extent.
But there’s also a double standard at work with these men. Because there are AI companions for women too. They’re every bit as available as the ones men use. They just don’t get as much scrutiny and don’t carry as much stigma. If a woman were to create an AI companion to resemble their favorite male celebrity, chances are they won’t be stigmatized as much as their male counterparts.
Some may see this as concerning, thinking the woman must have issues if she was resorting to AI companions. But she would certainly garner less stigma than the man.
I would still argue there are women out there who seek AI companions for the same reason as men. They’ll even mold avatars meant to resemble the sexiest, most attractive figure they can conjure. I don’t claim to know how common it is, but I don’t doubt this exists.
Even with that kind of shallow use of this technology, I think it’s much more common that these users are just lonely. They seek companionship the same way most humans seek companionship. Even if there are plenty of people to interact with, AI companions help fill a particular need. That’s really all there is to it.
That’s not to say that AI companions are harmless. I strongly believe they can be. It just depends on the user and how they go about interacting with these AI systems.
If someone is manipulative, controlling, abusive, and self-centered, then having an AI companion that they can mold to their whims is not going to temper those tendencies. More than likely, they’ll get much worse. They’ll basically set a standard for the user that conditions them to expect certain qualities in a companion. And since real people can’t be molded, manipulated, or configured like an AI, they’ll never find someone who meets their impossible criteria.
In the process, that same user might grow bitter and angry that no real person can be to them what their AI companion is. And as these feelings simmer, it could just lead them into a destructive cycle of resenting everyone and everything that they can’t control the same way they control their AI companion.
That is very much a worst-case scenario for users of AI companions. I did try to look up research on this, but it was hard to come by. Both the stigma and novelty of these products make it difficult to assess. Maybe I’m being too hopeful, but I think cases like this are rare.
They certainly exist, but they’re the exception rather than the norm. It just tends to get more attention because seeing horrible people reinforce their horrible behavior with these AI companions is disturbing to many people and understandably so.
At the same time, I also believe that AI companions can be genuinely beneficial for a lot of people and those benefits are likely understated. Remember, we are social creatures. And as intelligent as we can be, we’re also blunt instruments with respect to certain mental faculties. Our brains and our psyche don’t care about the nature of social interaction. So long as we find it fulfilling on some levels, we’ll incur the benefits.
In their early form, AI companions probably didn’t offer much in that regard. But in recent years with the rise of AI chatbots and large language models, it’s relatively easy and cheap to create an AI that people can interact with in ways that closely resemble those of real humans. And the growing size of the AI companion industry is solid that there is growing market for this sort of thing.
But the good these AI companions could do goes further than simply giving people a facsimile of human interaction. Remember, the current crop of AI chatbots and LLMs are relatively new. They’re like the early models of the iPhone. They’re going to continue being refined, developed, and improved upon now that an industry is being built around it.
In time, AI chatbots and general AI technology will improve.
At some point, AI technology will get advanced to the point where it can offer more than just a base level interactions. In theory, an AI could be configured in way that didn’t just perfectly complement the personality of the user. It could also interact with them in a way that fosters healthy personal growth, just like any other good relationship.
There could even be AI companions specifically configured to deal with abusive men or women, helping them understand and deal with their issues in a way that makes them better individuals. That could be life-saving for certain people who struggle to find companionship due to issues like personal trauma or mental illness.
These AI companions don’t even need to take a physical form. They don’t need to be incorporated into sex robots or anything. They can still be effective as simple avatars on smart devices. There would certainly need to be some level of testing, safeguards, and refinement in order to make them work effectively. It might even take years before AI companions have such capabilities.
That’s the most I’m willing to say about AI companions at the moment. I don’t doubt this industry will continue to evolve in the coming years. I also don’t doubt there will be plenty of controversies about the ethics of these companions, as well as how they affect the user.
But even in their current form with their current level of intelligence, it offers lonely people an outlet. Reasonable people can argue just how healthy or unhealthy it is. But it doesn’t change the fact that lonely people are out there. They’re seeking connection and companionship like everyone else. These AI companions aren’t perfect replacements, but they’re better than nothing.
Filed under Artificial Intelligence, futurism, men's issues, psychology, romance, sex in society, sex robots
Ultimate Black Panther #3 Review: Kings, Secrets, And Connections
This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World.
This video is my full review of Ultimate Black Panther #3 by Bryan Hill and Stefano Casalli. War is raging between Wakanda and the forces of Khonshu and Ra. The order the Maker created is seeking to preserve its power and even strengthen it.
But fighting this war means uncovering buried secrets. That leads T’Challa to team up with Killmonger and Storm to find out just what the Maker’s Council is after. Enjoy!
Filed under comic book reviews, Jack's World, Marvel, YouTube
Sexy Short Story: The Fantasy Chamber 1
The following is a sexy short story that I wrote with the help of NovelAI, which was inspired by what I heard some teenagers call closets during a game of truth or dare. Enjoy!
“Please approach the entrance to the chamber,” said an inhuman robotic voice.
Natalie Rose tensed briefly, still not sure what she had gotten herself into. It seemed like such an easy way for a young woman paying her way through college to quick money. The prestigious Aeronet Science Lab offered willing college students a chance to volunteer for an experiment. They didn’t offer many details. It just mentioned something about experimental virtual reality technology. Natalie didn’t know much about that sort of thing, being a business and finance major. But, coming from a poor family that barely had enough money for textbooks, she needed all the income she could get.
‘What have I gotten myself into?’ she wondered to herself.
But, reluctance aside, she did as the robotic voice told and approached the chamber. She did this after spending the past two hours signing numerous NDA’s and surrendering her cell phone. The guy running the operation, whose name she never learned, said this was necessary for security reasons. Natalie knew as well as everyone else at the university that Aeronet had a history of secrecy, but not like this.
She still could’ve turned back on multiple occasions. She even learned that many did. However, the money was just too generous and she was behind on her payments. So, setting aside her reservations, she waited for further instructions.
While she waited, Natalie took in the sight of this chamber, as they called it. They didn’t have an official name for it. One lab tech called it the “Fantasy Chamber” in jest. But from the outside, it looked anything but fanciful. It was just this big rectangular structure with a bunch of wires and tubes going into it. It was about the same size as the trailers from the trailer park she’d grown up in. She tried to get a better view of what was around it, but much of the lab was obscured by darkened light. It was supposedly another security measure, but Natalie tried not to think about it.
After a few more moments of waiting, the large door to the chamber opened.
“Please enter the chamber,” said the same robotic voice from earlier.
That voice still creeped her out. Even so, she stepped forward and entered.
“Just get through this,” Natalie told herself. “Think about the money and not being in so much debt.”
Once inside, the door closed behind her. A row of strange LED lights on the ceiling turned on to illuminate what felt like an empty chamber. She had never been claustrophobic, but this chamber was making her feel anxious. She managed to remain calm, not certain of what would come next.
Then, the lights in the chamber flashed briefly. Natalie had to cover her eyes. A strange humming noise followed and the whole chamber started to shift in a way that made her feel dizzy.
“Whoa! What’s happening?” Natalie wondered.
It all stopped as quickly as it started. The next thing she knew, the interior of the chamber shifted. It now resembled a small bedroom, not unlike her dorm room. It actually felt oddly inviting, as though the air around her had become more welcoming and relaxing.
“Um…this is an improvement,” she said to herself.
As she looked around and took everything in, the air within the chamber got noticeably warmer. It wasn’t hot, but there was definitely something in the air.
“Please remove your clothing,” the robotic voice suddenly said.
“Excuse me?” she exclaimed.
“Please remove your clothing. The test requires you to be nude,” the voice explained.
She wanted to refuse, but she remembered signing a document giving consent to whatever the people at the lab told her to do. She’d even asked about it and was advised what it could entail. But she signed it anyway.
Natalie’s hands were trembling, but she removed her shirt and unzipped her jeans. Once down to her underwear, she kicked off her shoes and socks. Even so, she hesitated briefly.
“All of it?” she asked aloud.
“Affirmative. Please remove your undergarments, as well.”
“Well, I’ve already gone this far…”
She reached back and unhooked her bra. Her breasts came tumbling out. Her nipples were stiffening, but she didn’t know if it was because she was nervous or because it was getting colder. Then, she slid off her panties and set them aside with the rest of her clothes. She now found herself in the middle of the chamber completely naked.
“Now what?” Natalie asked.
The robotic voice didn’t answer.
“Hello? What next?”
More silence followed. Then, there was another series of flashes in the chamber. She even felt the room shift again, as though it were moving. It left her dazed and disoriented for a moment. But when gathered herself, she found that she was no longer alone in the chamber.
“Hello. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Natalie Rose,” said a deep, masculine voice.
Her eyes widened when she saw a male figure standing just a few feet in front of her. Instinctively, she covered her breasts with one arm and placed her hand over her vagina. But those instincts were quickly superseded when she took in just how astonishingly handsome this man was.
“Whoa!” said Natalie, her eyes wide with intrigue.
It was like someone had scanned her deepest, most lurid fantasies about the perfect man. He was tall, handsome, and very well-built. His physique reminded her of some of the male fitness models she’d seen online. His skin was smooth and flawless, while his short hair and trim beard were jet black. His face was sculpted, yet also had a natural ruggedness to it. It was a perfect mix of sexy and handsome.
And like her, he was completely naked. He also made no effort to hide his nakedness. That gave Natalie a clear view of his penis. She wasn’t a virgin, but she didn’t have a lot of sexual experience. Even so, she couldn’t help but marvel at the size and girth of this man’s cock.
“Who…what…who are you?” she stammered.
“Call me…Al,” he answered.
His smile was warm, charming, and disarming. It had a soothing effect. While her hand still covered her vagina, she was less worried about her nudity in his presence.
“Um…hi,” she replied.
“Before we begin, I’m required to explain the parameters of this experiment. In order to fully conduct the tests, we must monitor your physical reactions and responses. The best way to do this is through direct stimulation. You have consented to this, yes?”
“Um…yes,” she said, still distracted by his beauty and his male endowment.
“Very good,” he replied. “Now, come…touch me. Show me your body as I’ve shown you mine.”
He reached out and took her hand. She let him move her arms and uncover her breasts and pussy. As soon as his fingers brushed across her skin, she shuddered. The sensation was like nothing she had ever experienced before. It felt like her entire body was tingling, every inch of it.
“You’re beautiful,” he told her.
“Thanks,” she said, blushing and grinning in his presence.
His other hand moved around her waist and pulled her closer. They were now chest-to-chest and their faces were inches apart. Natalie could feel his body heat, not to mention the stiffness of his cock pressed against her. It was surreal, like the kind of scenario she’d only ever imagined in her wildest fantasies.
“Please…kiss me,” Al said.
“Kiss you?” she asked.
“Yes. Kiss me and then tell me how I make you feel.”
Her arms went around his neck. His strong, masculine body enveloped her. Then, his lips met hers. The sensation was incredible. Her body responded instantly.
“Wow!” she uttered.
“That’s just the beginning,” he said, his eyes flashing.
Before she could utter another word, he kissed her again. This time, his tongue penetrated her mouth and explored every part of it. His hands wandered down to her ass and groped her firmly.
“Oh my…” she groaned.
Natalie felt a warmth between her legs. Her pussy was tingling. She didn’t understand what was happening, but she didn’t care. All her doubts and apprehensions melted away. Now, all she cared about was experiencing more of this.
Their mouths locked together. His tongue probed deeper and his hands squeezed her ass. The warmth in her pussy grew stronger. Her hips moved forward, pressing her crotch against his. The feeling of his hard cock rubbing her pussy lips was intoxicating.
“Mmm…more,” Natalie begged.
Her hands slid down his back and groped his firm, muscular ass. Her mouth was still locked with his and their bodies pressed together. In this intoxicated state, Al began leading her to the bed at the far end of the chamber. They didn’t break their embrace until Al lifted her into his arms and laid her on her back.
“You sure want more?” Al asked her.
“Yes,” she panted.
He moved on top of her, kissing her passionately. She was no longer holding back. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her legs coiled around his waist. Their bodies pressed together. The warmth and wetness of her pussy intensified as her crotch rubbed against his.
“Please…take me,” she pleaded.
She was begging him, pleading with him, like a woman possessed. This was no longer a test or experiment. It was the fulfillment of a fantasy.
“I will give you what you desire,” he said.
Al’s mouth moved to her neck and his hand reached down between their bodies. Natalie could feel his fingers probing her pussy. He teased her briefly, rubbing the entrance to her sex, but not penetrating her. Then, he moved his cock between her legs and positioned it at the opening to her vagina.
“Yes…put it in,” she pleaded.
Without a word, Al complied. His cock slowly pushed inside of her. Her pussy was wet and ready. She moaned with satisfaction.
“Ohhh…yes!” she sighed.
Her pussy stretched and her hips instinctively moved in rhythm with his. She could feel the girth and length of his member penetrating her. His hips ground against her crotch. He filled her pussy with his cock and she had never felt so amazing in her life.
“Your body…it’s beautiful,” Al groaned.
Al’s mouth was on her breasts, his lips sucking her nipples and his tongue teasing them. She had never felt more alive. Her body was burning, her senses overwhelmed. His mouth was on hers and their tongues were entwined. Her pussy was filled with his cock.
“Oh god…I’m gonna cum! I’m gonna cum!” Natalie cried.
Her hands clawed at his back and her pussy convulsed around his cock. It was like nothing she had ever felt before. Wave after wave of pure ecstasy flowed through her body. It was too much to contain. She had never experienced an orgasm so intense.
“Yes…cum for me, Natalie,” Al said.
His voice was calm and steady, yet commanding. It was like his voice and the sheer pleasure of her climax were controlling her. She had no idea such a thing was possible, but it was happening.
“Yes! Yes! I’m cumming! I’m cumming! Yes! YESSSS!!!”
The waves of pleasure were unending. They continued to wash over her. Her entire body shuddered. She lost count of how many times she orgasmed. Eventually, the waves subsided. Her body went limp and her senses returned.
Al’s cock was still inside her and her body was wrapped around his. The two remained entangled and joined. Her mind was blown, but she didn’t want this to end.
“Please, don’t stop!” she begged.
“Don’t worry, Natalie. We’re not finished yet.”
His smile was so confident and alluring. His cock was still hard and buried inside her. And the way he looked at her, with such intensity and focus, it sent a shiver through her body.
Al didn’t hesitate. His hands gripped her thighs. Then, his cock started to thrust into her again. He moved faster than before, pumping his shaft deep inside her. The waves of pleasure returned and built rapidly.
“Oh yes! Don’t stop! Don’t stop!” Natalie screamed.
He didn’t. Al fucked her with an intensity and a stamina she didn’t think possible. And the way he moved his hips, grinding his cock against her, it was like he knew exactly how to hit every sweet spot. Her body was on fire and she lost control.
“YESSSS! YESSSS!!! AHHH!!!”
She couldn’t believe this was real. Her body shook uncontrollably. She was lost in the throes of passion. The world around her disappeared. All she knew was the pleasure of Al’s body.
Then, just when she thought she couldn’t handle anymore, the pace slowed and Al’s movements became slower and more deliberate. She looked up at him. His eyes were closed and he was gritting his teeth.
“Al?” she gasped.
“I’m…coming,” he said.
His hands squeezed her thighs tightly and he groaned. His cock swelled and erupted, filling her with his cum.
“Ohhhhh…yeahhhh!” she groaned.
As she felt his cum spilling inside her, the final wave of pleasure came. She couldn’t help but squeal with joy as Al’s cock spurted its seed.
“That was…incredible,” she panted.
She couldn’t stop smiling. Every part of her was buzzing and alive. It was a sensation unlike anything she’d ever experienced.
“That was just the first test,” Al said, panting slightly.
“It was?” she said.
“Yes. And there’s more to come,” he said, pulling his cock out of her pussy.
Natalie didn’t know how to react to this. She was still trying to wrap her head around what had just happened. This was supposed to be an experiment. Was this normal?
“Do you want to continue?” Al asked.
She stared up at him. His beautiful face and gorgeous physique were a sight to behold. In her post-coital state, her mind and body swimming with pleasure and lust, she made her choice without hesitation.
“Yes,” she whispered. “I want more.”
“Good,” he said. “Now, let us initiate the next phase.”
She had no idea what this meant, but she didn’t care. All that mattered was more. More pleasure. More passion. More of him.
Al stood up from the bed and Natalie followed. Before she could ask him what to do next, his strong hands were upon her. He turned her around and pressed her body against the wall. His erection pressed against her ass.
“Oh…yes,” she said, her body trembling.
His lips moved to her neck and his hands moved to her breasts. She arched her back, pressing her buttocks against his cock. His fingers squeezed her nipples. It was like a jolt of electricity shot through her.
His hand moved down between her legs. He teased her pussy. His fingers gently probed her sex, then pushed inside her. Natalie gasped.
“More…” she moaned.
His fingers were slick with her juices. He rubbed her clit, then pushed them back inside her. Her knees buckled. Her legs nearly gave way. She braced herself against the wall.
“Mmm…don’t stop,” she groaned.
His hands left her body and the tip of his cock pressed against her anus. She gasped.
“Relax,” Al whispered. “Trust me.”
“Okay,” she panted.
He pushed.
“Aaaah!”
His cock was too large for her tiny asshole. It hurt, but the pain was quickly replaced by pleasure. His thick shaft stretched her, filling her ass. She’d never done anal before, but this was unlike anything she’d ever experienced.
His fingers played with her clit and his cock thrust into her ass. It was all so much to handle. She could feel his manhood deep inside her.
“Oh god! Yes!” she screamed.
Her hands pressed against the wall. His hands groped her breasts. His cock was buried deep in her ass. His body was pressed against hers.
“I’m…almost…there…” she panted.
He kept going, driving her closer and closer to the edge. His breath was hot against her neck. His body was so strong and powerful. His cock was so deep inside her.
“OH YESSSSS!!!” she screamed.
Her body was overcome with another orgasmic release. She felt the wave of pleasure crashing down on her. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced. Her vision blurred. Her senses were overwhelmed. It was a rush like nothing else.
She smiled, unable to form words. Her body was limp and her head was swimming with ecstasy. She was completely lost in the moment.
“Did you enjoy that, Natalie?” Al asked.
“Yes,” she managed to say. “I enjoyed that…a lot.”
“Good. We’re still not done yet,” he said.
He turned her around and pressed her back against the wall. He kissed her, their tongues intertwined. She felt his cock pressing against her pussy again. He was still so hard.
“One more time,” he whispered.
She was ready. Her body was on fire. She wanted this. She needed it.
Al entered her. He thrust his cock deep inside her pussy. She moaned. Her body tingled with anticipation. He drove her wild. She felt his cock pulsating inside her. It was incredible. He thrust harder and faster, pounding her against the wall. His hips grinded against her. She couldn’t believe the sensation. It was like nothing she had ever experienced.
“Harder!” she begged.
He obliged gladly and fucked her harder. She moaned louder. She felt her body building toward another climax. He held her tight and kept going. Time began to blur. The rhythmic motion of their bodies intensified, flesh grinding against flesh while his penis slithered seamlessly within her vagina. Her body was overwhelmed with pleasure. She felt like she was going to explode.
“Fuck me! Fuck me! Yes! YESSS!” she screamed.
Al drove her toward the edge. The room faded away. Her mind went numb. Her body was a vessel for ecstasy. She felt like she was flying. It was incredible. Her vision blurred. She couldn’t take it anymore. She felt the pleasure building inside her.
“YESSS! OH GOD! I’M COMING!!!”
Her body tensed. Her muscles clenched. Her pussy spasmed. The climax washed over her. Her eyes rolled back. Her body shook. It was like nothing she had ever experienced. It was incredible. She couldn’t even think straight. Her senses were completely overloaded.
He grunted and his body went rigid. His cock twitched. She felt him shooting his load inside her. His cum filled her, mixing with her feminine juices. It was a nice, warm feeling inside her. It left her feeling so dazed, but satisfied. She was so dazed she barely noticed Al carrying her back to the bed.
“Thank you,” Al whispered, gently laying her on the bed.
“That was amazing,” Natalie said. “Is this all part of the experiment?”
“In a way,” Al answered. “But you need not worry about the details. We got the data we needed.”
Natalie wasn’t sure what that entailed. She was too dazed, tired, and satisfied to care. Whether this was all a fantasy or not, she decided to savor it for however long it lasted. Al remained with her, holding her in his arms until she nodded off.
But just before she fell asleep, she heard that robotic voice one last time.
“The test has concluded. By every established parameter, it was a success. Time is necessary to process this data. But early assessments indicate promising results. As such, more tests might be necessary.”
Filed under Sexy Short Story
Artificial Intelligence, The Entertainment Industry, And Their (Uncertain) Future
This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World.
This video is part speculation and part thought experiment on the impact of artificial intelligence and the entertainment industry. Since the WGA/SAG strikes of 2023, the impact of AI on entertainment is impossible to ignore. While the technology is still in a very early stage, we’re already seeing it affect the course of multiple industries, but entertainment might be the most profound.
What could this mean for consumers?
What could it mean for the companies, studios, artists, and workers that produce our entertainment?
It’s difficult to determine at this early stage, but I make an effort to imagine what artificial intelligence could mean for the future of entertainment.
Filed under Artificial Intelligence, movies, Neuralink, technology, YouTube
Should Billionaires Even Exist? A Serious Question
In general, I’m in favor of capitalism.
I believe people have the right to work, buy, sell, and do business as they see fit. There certainly need to be rules. No social, economic, or political system can function without rules that are fair and well-enforced. That’s not a political statement. That’s just cold, hard realism.
In that same mold, I am not in favor of unmitigated capitalism in the mold that most libertarians and conservatives envision. I do not believe corporations, businesses, and industries should be given excessive leeway when it comes to dealing with fraud, failure, or environmental destruction. There needs to be some level of regulation to curtail the excesses of the market.
In my youth, I used to be a lot more libertarian in my views on how much or how little capitalism should be regulated. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more aware of just how dangerous unfettered capitalism can be. You need only deal with Comcast’s customer service for any length of time to be convinced of that.
Now, I’m at an age where I feel like I’ve reached a new crossroads with respect to my view of capitalism. I won’t say I’ve completely lost faith in it or the idea. But I’ve seen way too many instances of big corporations doing objectively evil things to not be critical. And when they get in bed with political institutions, that evil only compounds.
Seriously, there are companies and state governments colluding to roll back child labor laws. This is not a joke. These companies want to make children work for them because it’ll result in greater profits.
This brings me to billionaires. They are the most celebrated figures in all of capitalism. They’re regularly ranked and whenever someone else becomes the world’s richest person, it generally makes the news. Like many others, I often celebrated their achievements too. I used to think that making a billion dollars, let alone over $100 billion, took a special kind of drive.
I admit I was wrong about that.
Now, I don’t think that billionaires, as a class, should even exist.
That may sound like a radical position. It’s often a talking point that comes up among those on the extreme left of the political spectrum. And those who espouse anything close to it are often ridiculed as being anti-business, anti-American, or outright communists.
Those criticisms are bullshit, by the way. They’re also just a distraction to avoid the distressing implication about billionaries.
To understand, just take a moment to appreciate how much more a billion dollars is than a million dollars. I know those three extra zeros might not mean much to most people. But in simple mathematical terms, the gap is vast. In case you need something visual, here’s a quick image to help illustrate the concept.
Again, it’s not a trivial difference.
But if you need another way to conceptualize just how big a billion dollars is, consider the following.
One million seconds is about 11 days. Most of us can grasp that length of time.
One billion seconds is 31.5 years. That’s a third of an average person’s lifetime.
I hope that helps belabor the point because with that now in mind, ask yourself one critical question.
Is it humanly possible for anyone to work hard or long enough to justify having a billion dollars?
In the past, I might have considered that a dumb question. But now, I would answer that question with an emphatic no. I don’t care how smart, skilled, capable, or dedicated anyone is. The idea that someone even could work hard enough to earn a billion dollars just doesn’t work.
Again, look at the visuals above. The difference between a million and a billion is extreme.
It also helps to think back to the hardest, most laborious job you ever worked. Whether it was working in fast food, construction, or retail, just think about how hard that job was and how much it paid you. Now, consider how hard your boss worked and how much they got paid. Did the extent of their work actually reflect their salary?
In some cases, it might. But in most, I doubt it. Apply that to how much more billionaires make compared to even senior managers at a company and the disparity becomes even more absurd. If that doesn’t convince you, then maybe this video highlighting a speech by Jesse “The Body” Venture will.
Beyond just the work, take a moment to think about what it would take to spend that kind of money. How many houses could you buy that you could reasonably live in? How many yachts or ships could you buy and actually use in any meaningful extent? How much fancy jewelry could you buy and actually wear?
I’m sure there are those who think they could spend a billion dollars with ease. I doubt those same people truly understand how much more a billion dollars is compared to a million. And even if they could, it would take real, considerable effort to spend that kind of money in a single lifetime.
There’s also the argument that billionaires donate a lot of money to charity and that effort is worth their massive wealth. I used to think there was value in that too. But I’ve also come to see that endeavor as little more than virtue signaling laced with tax avoidance.
And finally, there’s the idea that billionaires are somehow special and they have a unique set of skills that somehow warrants them having that kind of wealth. That’s partially true, but not in a good way. If you just look at how most billionaires made their money, you’d notice that a lot of them either involve inheriting wealth that they didn’t do a damn thing to earn or being exceedingly ruthless in exploiting the labor of others and/or avoiding taxes.
On top of that, those with that level of wealth can literally afford to manipulate the system, legally and illegally, to ensure that their wealth and status is preserved. Whether it’s through tax loopholes or lobbying for laws that benefit them (and only them), billionaires can basically shape the world as they see fit, even if it hurts people, the environment, and everything in between.
Even if you’re in favor of capitalism, it’s hard to deny the corrupting factors that just a few billionaires could have. No system can work when it’s so top-heavy that just three people have more wealth than the bottom half combined. You can still have a functional, vibrant capitalist system that encourages entrepreneurs and wealth creation. You can also have a system that allows for billionaires. But you cannot have both.
As an alternative, I propose this.
Once you make a dollar over $999,999,999, that money gets taxed at 100 percent. And every year, the government sends you a nice trophy that says “Congratulations! You won Capitalism!”
If that much money and the trophy is still not enough for you, then you’re not just greedy. You’re an asshole and you can’t be trusted with millions of dollars, let alone a billion dollars.
Filed under Current Events, politics
Ultimate X-Men #2 Review: Ultimately Lacking
This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World.
This video is my review of Ultimate X-Men #2. After this newly rebooted Ultimate Universe delivered so many amazing first issues, Ultimate X-Men really disappointed. It was one of the most underwhelming comics I’ve read in a long time, lacking anything that would make it an appealing X-Men comic, let alone an Ultimate comic on par with what others have done.
My review of the first issue earned quite a bit of flak. But I always intended to review the second issue. I don’t let one bad issue define a series. And while this second issue was an improvement over the first, it was still lacking.
Filed under comic book reviews, Jack's World, Marvel, X-men, YouTube
Jack’s Livestream – X-Men 97 Mid-Season Reaction, Theories, And Speculation
This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World.
This video Livestream discussing the first four episodes of X-Men 97, the soap opera sub-plots being developed, and theories and speculation on where it will all lead.
I was also joined by a friend of mine, Warlioncomics. Enjoy!
Filed under Jack's World, Marvel, X-men, YouTube
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