This is a common trope around "poor people are poor because they aren't capable of being rich". If the rich can make the poor believe wealth inequality is natural and fair then lots of things go more smoothly.
You’re correct that belief is a powerful driver of prosperity/poverty - and that believing that you’re headed for either can lead to you to different modes of decision making. I’ve experienced and witnessed both.
An unexpected windfall will amplify the psychology of the recipients. For people who have lived without, the mindset is frequently “live today like it’s your last” or “enjoy it while it lasts” and blow it or self destruct.
Some will be obviously be more mature about it though.
Eh, touch some grass buddy. You're interpretting a lot of negativity from the poster despite having no evidence to support it.
> [1] A famous study in 2010 from the Review of Economics and Statistics revealed that, out of 35,000 lottery winners who obtained between $50,000 and $150,000 in winnings, 1,900 of them had filed for bankruptcy within 5 years.
> A 2015 paper in The American Economic Review also presented that 15% of NFL players filed for bankruptcy after 12 years of retirement.
It's really common for people with sudden windfalls to lose it all.
I’m not sure a study of chronic gamblers generalizes to long-term working class employees of this facility. I have no idea what lessons can be learned from the NFL case, but I suspect none at all.
> It's really common for people with sudden windfalls to lose it all.
5% of people isn't "really common". Estimate of 1% of US adults declare bankruptcy within a 5 year period (based on ending in July 2025 and right now is a very low period). 2010 a peak it was likely closer to 3% of adults.
It is rightfully calling it a false trope of "Only rich people deserve money. We should prevent others from getting it".
