I'll buy this picture. Feelings of insecurity created by someone (anyone) who has more than you fits in with 'keeping up with the Joneses'. Further reasoning a

I'll buy this picture. Feelings of insecurity created by someone (anyone) who has more than you fits in with 'keeping up with the Joneses'. Further reasoning about irrational behavior is as unconvincing as science trying to explain magic. (Which in many cases might be helpful in explaining the long chains of coincidence that led to wealth, despite the often-fragile egos involved.) Some of the very rich try to invest in philanthropic causes. Studying the magnates of a century ago can be helpful. (E.g. the story of T. B. Walker. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._B._Walker https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._B._Walker ) On the whole, today's ultra-rich seem less-inclined to give a damn (not unprecedented in history).