Which is which?
By grandpa_lash
@grandpa_lash (5225)
Australia
August 18, 2012 11:51pm CST
Q.What is the difference between a madman and an eccentric?
A. An eccentric is somebody with an awful lot of money.
Discuss.
Lash
5 responses
@grandpa_lash (5225)
• Australia
20 Aug 12
Extreme wealth means a maniac can get away with almost anything, and just be called ecentric, where you or I would go to jail.
I think I've been too subtle with this one lol.
Lash
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
25 Aug 12
I suppose money would be difference.
I do know that the behavior of eccentrics are often related to people with above average IQs. Now if one has different ideas and views than what their society carries, they could be considered mad..lol..or eccentric. Perhaps it is their social and/or financial status that makes the choice on which one it is.@grandpa_lash (5225)
• Australia
26 Aug 12
This whole discussion was an oversubtle attempt to attack the obscenity of wealth and the advantages the wealthy can gain if they are bent. It didn't work and I wish I had'nt done it, but thanks for the response.
Lash
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
20 Aug 12
But what is your definition of a madman-someone crazy but without the bucketloads of money?
@grandpa_lash (5225)
• Australia
20 Aug 12
Not my definition, I reckon they're both mad, but society's definition, correct. If you're poor and weak you're mad, if you're rich you're just eccentric.
Lash
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
20 Aug 12
Interesting idea. I would say that an eccentric is someone who has interests that are not mainstream. The money aspect allows that person to follow their tastes but you can still be poor and eccentric. For example someone who likes to sing in their backyard at the top of their voice or wear unusual clothing.
I have real doubts about most of the people who are labelled mad as such. To me a mad person is someone who is unable to relate to their environment in any way at all, as in unable to function in society. An eccentric can function and can interact with people but behaves in ways that are totally different from the social norms associated with the society in which they live.
The people are not mad, just different to those around them and so those around them label them as odd or eccentric.
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
20 Aug 12
As per your answer above I realise that I missed your point. However, I still do not agree that it is eccentric. The very wealthy have the power to do anything they wish including breaking laws and getting away with it. They have been doing that for centuries and that is not eccentric, it is abuse of power including bribery.
I see your point but bed to differ that it is eccentric, it is simply power mad. People born to such immense wealth regard themselves as superior to other humans by virtue of the power their money buys. They are acting as normal people in the social circle in which they live. Their parents have clearly failed to teach them any form of human morality and the money they have makes them think that they are gods. Sometimes they are brought to account but more often than not they buy protection from the law that everyone else has to obey.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Aug 12
It is all a matter of perception really. The ones with all the cash are crazier if you ask me. The way that our modern society operates, I am beginning to think that all people who subscribe to this way of living are mad, crazy and utterly loopy.
When one steps back from this capitalist consumer society and has a good hard look at it, one realises that it makes no logical sense. Why do we need to destroy all our natural resources that provide us with good nutritious food and clean water in order to provide ourselves with money that we cannot eat or drink? 
