Martin Scorsese: Finance Superhero

Martin Scorsese Money Quote saying that because the goal capitalism is reaching financial heights above all, there aren’t finance heroes in our culture. Martin Scorsese said:
 

 

“I would ask: Given the nature of free-market capitalism – where the rule is to rise to the top at all costs – is it possible to have a financial industry hero? And by the way, this is not a pop-culture trend we’re talking about. There aren’t many financial heroes in literature, theater or cinema” — Martin Scorsese

Scorsese says there aren’t many financial heroes portrayed in literature, theater or cinema because the goal of capitalism is to rise to the top financially above all else, at any cost. This prioritizes profits and wealth accumulation over other values. As a result, stories tend not to glorify or portray bankers, investors, etc. as heroic figures, since their work focuses on making money rather than other noble goals like helping people. Scorsese is pointing out that within a free market capitalist system, achieving financial success alone is generally not seen as a heroic attribute worthy of dramatic portrayal.

Ellen Willis: Free-Market Economics

Ellen Willis Money Quote saying allowing the free market to run it’s course assumes rational, expected behavior. Ellen Willis said:
 

 

“The crackpot rationalism of free-market economics merely relies on an abstract model of how people ‘must’ behave” — Ellen Willis

In this quote, Ellen Willis is criticizing the assumptions and theoretical models underlying mainstream “free-market economics”. When she refers to the “crackpot rationalism” of its perspectives, Willis suggests the field relies on unrealistic and oversimplified ideas about human behavior.

Specifically, she argues that free-market economics builds models based on how people “must” act according to its abstract theories, rather than how individuals and societies actually operate in the real world.

The quote conveys Willis’ view that mainstream economics focuses too much on theoretical constructs divorced from reality, and presents an overly rigid view of human psychology and decision-making that does not reflect the complexity and variability of human nature.

She appears to believe the field’s frameworks are flawed due to being grounded in conjectural behavior rather than empirical evidence.

Winston Churchill: Create a Black Market

Winston Churchill Money Quote saying when it becomes impossible to sell openly, it will be driven underground, but still made available to those who wish to buy. Winston Churchill said:
 

 

“If you destroy a free market you create a black market” — Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill seems to be warning that heavily restricting or eliminating a legitimate free market system will often lead to the rise of an illicit black market instead.

His view appears to be that when governments over-regulate commercial activity or ban certain goods and services, an underground market outside the control of laws and taxation will develop to meet the continued demand.

Churchill’s quote suggests that rather than stamping out private commerce, overly prohibitive policies may drive it underground and create unintended harmful consequences.

Overall, he seems to be advocating for open free markets as the best way to satisfy economic needs within a regulated legal framework.

Birthday: November 30, 1874 – Death: January 24, 1965