Being told "professional poker doesn't contribute to society."

[Hock_]

I have no obligation to contribute to society.

[Torello]

The professional gambler occupation is nearly unique in being completely unproductive in the broad economic sense.

What matters is the next philosophical question of whether that's actually important to you. It doesn't matter to me.

[calmasahinducow]

You create jobs for poker dealers

[members_only]

[ QUOTE ]
The professional gambler occupation is nearly unique in being completely unproductive in the broad economic sense.


[/ QUOTE ]

This is really it.

Also, something that no-one seems to have mentioned (although I've only read the first page) is that most poker pros - particularly of the new online breed - are very intelligent and capable people who probably ought to be doing something nobler with themselves.

[bigbb33]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The professional gambler occupation is nearly unique in being completely unproductive in the broad economic sense.


[/ QUOTE ]

This is really it.

Also, something that no-one seems to have mentioned (although I've only read the first page) is that most poker pros - particularly of the new online breed - are very intelligent and capable people who probably ought to be doing something nobler with themselves.

[/ QUOTE ]

Reply:

[ QUOTE ]
Until society wants to give me all the material possessions, food, etc I want for free, I don't give a [censored]. But as long as my computer costs money, rent isn't free, and I have to pay for food, I'm not going to make it a priority to 'contribute to society' in the act of making money. I'm going to make getting money my priority. So personally, I don't give a [censored] what you or anyone else thinks.

Not that you are higher or mightier (if you aren't a poker pro) anyway. You think the trashman does my trash because he wants to contribute to society? [censored] that, he collects the trash because it's highest paying job he could get with his skillset and history. Same for the bank clerks and grocery managers. The reason other people bring up the 'contribution to society' is because they are jealous and can't stand the fact that I/you make so much money 'easily'.

And I don't give a [censored].

[/ QUOTE ]

[censored] your nobility. If I can make the same amount of money/hour doing a more noble and enjoyable thing, I'll do it, but until you present that to me, go [censored] yourself and your 'nobility'.