Name: Should Billionaires Exist?
Start: 2025-11-19T18:00:00+07:00
End: 2025-11-19T20:00:00+07:00
Location: 4Seas Nimman

Questions That Matter: Should Billionaires Exist?

A decade ago, billionaires felt distant—maybe problematic, but not the kind of topic that would solicit debate about their very existence.

Now, with wealth inequality at its highest point in a century, and mega-billionaires dominating our industries, media, and politics, it’s no surprise that we’ve started to question more. But is this attention merely a reaction to the concentration of wealth at the top? Or is it a deeper reckoning that the old justifications for such disparity no longer hold water, especially while the bottom half of society now lives week to week?

For this Questions That Matter we’ll be asking questions like:

Is extreme wealth morally neutral—or inherently harmful? (small group)

1\. Is there a point where inequality becomes a literal form of violence\, and do we think that that point may have already been reached?

2\. Do billionaires create enough jobs and drive enough innovation\, to extract the amount of value that otherwise could be distributed more fairly?

3\. Would it be possible to have the same levels of ambition and progress without the lure of infinite unrestrained wealth accumulation?

4\. If we decided billionaires shouldn’t exist\, what would we actually do?

5\. Where would you draw the line in terms of wealth accumulation\, and how would it be implemented?

“The rich are always going to say that, you know, just give us more money and we’ll go out and spend more and it will all trickle down to the rest of you. But that has not worked the last ten years, and I hope the American public is catching on.”

* Warren Buffett, ABC News, 2011

“Wealth is not evil, but it becomes evil when it is hoarded or used to exploit others.”

* Martin Luther King Jr., sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1967

As usual, the goal of the night isn’t simply to agree, disagree, or learn. It’s also to connect through genuine, lively, interactive discussion and, potentially, to go to some of the unexpected and uncharted places that deep and free conversation can take us.

When we wrap up, around 8 p.m., we hope you’ll mingle, exchange numbers, and head out with some of us for something to eat or drink. As polarized as the world is right now, one of the deepest connections still available to human beings is a shared meal or drink.

Whether you’re in Chiang Mai for a short visit or you’re a longer term expat or resident, we hope you can join us, not only in exploring the deeper questions but in making new connections and friendships through the discussions.

If possible, please support the venue, 4seas, by purchasing a beverage or a snack. They are kindly providing the space to us at no charge.

We all look forward to meeting you!

Leon Spear

Zach Snyder

johnl

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