Séamas O'Reilly: I may not know a lot about money, but I know what I like — more of it

I thought it was weird that the only way to motivate rich people to work is to give them loads of money, but the only way to motivate poor people to work is to remove their money

Séamas O'Reilly. Picture: Orfhlaith Whelan

An acquaintance was discussing the troubles of their preposterously rich friend last week.

A lifetime of wealth had alienated this friend from wider society, left them insecure and paranoid about their friends and relationships, and had fed into all manner of ills regarding their school and work career, around alcohol and substance abuse, and even just the everyday motivation to keep going.