Cause and effect, the rich asshole
Why the rich get richer (and everyone else stays mad about it)
There are two ways in which humans look at the world and process thoughts and emotions. Think of them as windows through which we interpret reality: Perception and Perspective
Let’s start with definitions:
Perception: The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses.
Perspective: A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.
Essentially, perception is how we take in and interpret information, while perspective is the viewpoint or attitude we adopt based on that perception.
It’s hard to change someone’s perception. Perspective? That can change in an instant.
Thought experiments are one of the best ways to shift perspective. Imagine yourself in someone else’s shoes, seeing the world through their eyes.
It doesn’t change the information itself, think of it like switching from an old monitor to a new one. The display is the same, but the clarity is different.
But what does this have to do with cause and effect, or a rich asshole?
I’m getting there. Let me land.
The Hardest Thing to Change
Our perception is drilled into us from childhood. It’s shaped by culture, environment, and repeated experiences, making it one of the hardest things to alter.
And in my opinion, this is the biggest difference between the rich and the poor.
What came first, the chicken or the egg?
The same question applies to wealth:
Do rich people read books, or do people who read books get rich?
The Cause and Effect of Wealth
"It is not the things themselves that disturb men, but their judgments about these things." – Epictetus
According to Thomas Corley, author of Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals:
88% of wealthy people read for self-improvement for at least 30 minutes a day, compared to only 2% of poor people.
85% of wealthy people read two or more books per month, mainly in personal development, leadership, biographies, and business.
Meanwhile, the average person reads mostly for entertainment—if they read at all.
Now, let’s test your perception.
When you read those stats, what was your first thought?
"I should read more and maybe I’ll get rich." or "Wow, those rich guys sure do have a lot of free time to read all those books."
See how perception shapes your reaction?
Cause and effect is a universal law. Everything happens because something caused it.
The seed came before the forest. The fire came before the ashes. The habit came before the outcome.
So again, do rich people read books, or do people who read books get rich?
The Rich Asshole Effect
"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." - Matthew 19: 24
Wealth creation is a brutal game, and the harder you play, the harder you win.
And in a capitalist society, it gets really messy.
Now that you understand perception and the law of cause and effect, let’s look at the wealthy again, not through envy or admiration, but as a case study.
This time, think of their wealth as the result and their behaviors and routines as the cause.
1. Elon Musk – (Risk-Taking, Bluntness, Superiority Complex)
Why He Got Rich.
Musk took huge risks with PayPal, Tesla, SpaceX, and now X (formerly Twitter). He reinvested almost all his money into his companies when he could’ve retired rich.
Why He’s Seen as an Asshole.
He’s notoriously blunt, fires people ruthlessly, and mocks employees, competitors, and even governments. He once told Tesla employees, “If you can’t handle the pressure, leave.”
2. Steve Jobs – (Extreme Self-Belief, Bluntness, Perfectionism Over People Skills)
Why He Got Rich.
Had an obsession with design and innovation, revolutionizing personal computers, music (iPod), and smartphones (iPhone).
Why He’s Seen as an Asshole.
Famously cruel to employees—he once fired someone in an elevator and told another designer, “This is shit,” after reviewing their work. He also denied paternity of his daughter for years.
3. John D. Rockefeller – (Monopolistic Genius, Ruthless Strategy, Unshakable Discipline)
Why He Got Rich.
Built Standard Oil, the company that controlled over 90% of the U.S. oil industry at its peak. Used aggressive business tactics, reinvested every penny, and mastered the art of negotiation.
Why He’s Seen as an Asshole.
Had zero tolerance for competition—if a company refused to sell, he’d undercut their prices until they collapsed, then buy them for pennies.
Kept his empire running like a machine, often at the expense of workers and smaller businesses.
His extreme discipline made him feared but respected—he knew the price of everything, tracked every dollar, and controlled the oil market like a chessboard.
So, What’s the Lesson Here?
I’m not here to argue morality. I’m here to dissect success.
What habits, decisions, and perspectives shaped these outcomes? What can you borrow from them?
Because whether you love them or hate them, these men played the game at the highest level.
One thing is for sure, there are plenty of poor assholes running around. We all know a few.
But here’s the thing, when a poor person is rude, it’s written off as a character flaw.
When a rich person is rude, it’s often seen as a byproduct of their success. That’s perception at work.
TL;DR
Focus less on judging outcomes and more on analyzing causes.
Instead of debating whether someone deserves their wealth, ask yourself: What habits, decisions, and risks created that outcome? What can I learn from it?
Because at the end of the day, perception can keep you stuck, but perspective can set you free.
"Man is not the creature of circumstances. Circumstances are the creatures of men." – Benjamin Disraeli