Thought Experiment: $1M Public Windfall or $50M Secret Fortune?
Wealth or Recognition?
You are a college-educated 25-year-old living in a world a lot like our own — one that idolizes status, wealth, success, and recognition and also one that places a significant premium on financial security. One day, a mysterious benefactor approaches you with an extraordinary offer — a tax-free windfall of $1M or 50M is yours for the taking. You get to choose.
There is, of course, a catch — you must choose between two life-altering options, and once made, your decision is irrevocable.
The Options: Public Windfall or Secret Fortune
Option 1: $1M Lucky Public Windfall
- $1 million instantly credited to your account
- All others will know is that you received this money as a gift
- You are free to use the money however you choose, but with the knowledge that it will always be attributed to luck, not skill or hard work
Option 2: $50M Secret Invisible Fortune
- $50 million instantly credited to your account
- No one will ever know you have this money and anything you acquire with it will be shrouded in complete secrecy
- You are free to use the money however you choose, but no one will ever know about it, you will never get the credit for having it, and you can never use it in any way to gain status, admiration, or recognition.
The Choice Is Yours. Contemplate your decision carefully.
Which Would You Choose: Private Security or Public Notice?
At 25-years-old, with your whole life in front of you, will you opt for the lucky public windfall or the secret, invisible fortune you can never share with or showcase to the world? Which do you value more — private security or public notice?
Take a moment to imagine each scenario five, ten, and twenty years down the road. Which of these potential futures resonates more with who you are today, and based on your decision, who you are likely to be throughout these various tomorrows?
The clock is ticking…