[gsf_emergency_2]

Edit: if I were to put myself in Archimedes' shoes, motivation comes from "this is nuts but it could work" and meaning comes from "it works!"

>Money is a path to acquiring sufficient power

Power and money are almost interchangeable, and I'm taking a wild guess that better questions are hidden in that "almost" (as you say, "wisdom+effort", but I'd have to sleep on that for a few nights in order not to casually one-up that with "precience")

[aeon_ai]

I'd tend to disagree they're interchangeable, although it may feel like it for many things. Our culture certainly wants people to equate the two, because if people believe in the myth that money = power, money has more power.

However, I'd encourage you to contemplate all the things that money can't "buy."

I categorize power not as the sum total of capability to dominate, or purchase, but influence belief, shape motivation, and inspire action.

Our body can develop power over the physical world. Our mind can develop power over the world of myths and information. Our ability to communicate can develop motivation in others through belief, inspiration, and hope.

Money can out-source, to acquire the power and resources of others.

There are many ways to power - Money is a centrally dominant one, today, but is predicated on a certain order to the world and is not universal.