“To be wealthy is to bear the burden of having no excuses.� —the shaman

I would be remiss if I didn’t give at least one illustration of how the re-definition of my wealth from a Western middle-class perspective to a global-elite perspective can change everything. With so many possible applications at my disposal, in the next two posts I’ll focus on just one simple yet crucial facet of world change—hospitality.

Welcome to our home. Meet the staff …

You’ve probably seen a period themed motion picture where guests are arriving at some circa 18th Çentury manor house. Up round the fountain comes a carriage to be greeted curbside by the lord of the manor, his family, and a line of servants standing at attention like a company of soldiers. Impressive but understandable when one considers the practical demands necessary to sustain a life of such privilege. Interestingly enough when compared side by side, my own life affords a standard of living that would turn many a lord and lady green with envy.

“Where are your many servants, Dean?� All around me, can you not see them?

I don’t employ washer women because I own machines that do that for me. I don’t employ a full staff of cooks and kitchen help because I like to play at cuisine myself and when I’m not in the mood I can always microwave something, order in or dine out. I don’t have chamber maids because I own an indoor toilet, and a sink, and a bath, with hot and cold running water on tap at any moment. I think you get the point but just in case here’s some more of “the staffâ€?: dishwasher, gas oven, cook-top, refridgerator/freezer, electric lights, telephone, fax, computer, internet, vacuum, bed with bedding and mattress, television with remote control, home entertainment systems, air conditioning, heating, garbage service, cellular phones, bicycles, automobiles … and the list could go on.

Think of what size of a staff I might need to maintain my standard of living if I existed in at a time or in a place where technology didn’t fill the gaps. Think of all those now living who would welcome even an 18th Century upgrade. Think of the vast gulf between my wealth and theirs.

I am indeed Lord of the Manor.

more to come …