Valuation
Any asset can be valued, thanks to the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). But people make three mistakes, two common and one uncommon:
Most never value an asset using CAPM because they are not aware of this wonderful approach (usually introduced in Finance or an MBA course).
Even when they learn in school, most do not internalize its importance or apply in their personal life.
The uncommon one? Among the few who do use CAPM, they likely don’t add specific risk premium to the risk free rate of return in the formula. This causes them to assume 100% of the returns of a specific asset without discounting it by the risk it may carry.
As an example, if you have an asset (such as a house) that returns 10% year on year versus let us say an S&P 500 mutual fund that also returns 10% year on year, then you may falsely assume that both assets are equivalent in returns - an incorrect assumption. The S&P 500 is a well diversified portfolio as it invests in the top 500 firms in the US whereas you are assuming too much risk by investing all your money into one asset i.e. a house. In other words: eggs in different baskets are less risky than all eggs in one basket.
Failing Empire
Empires fall. That is inevitable and not an enlightening observation. What is interesting is that the fall hastens when the populace becomes weak, lazy, and starts electing insipid tyrants. The US is well under way on this journey.
Superiority
Personal superiority comes not from proffering an idea but successful implementation of the idea. Otherwise we are mere arm chair philosophers. I hear folks eloquently critiquing world events (Gaza, Ukraine, rich getting richer). If all you can offer is banter then none of the affected folks benefit. Even a dollar donated shines brighter than words.
Slur
Growing up, slurs were a common occurrence during school and college days. But it was an equal opportunity abuse - none of us were spared. Oddly enough, that brought us closer because we all poked fun at each other’s identity and shortcomings. The individual disappeared in the collective.
Compensation
In the 21’st century, market forces are pervasive in setting the price of goods for the most part. Therefore, a person’s worth in society is gauged by the capital one generates for oneself. Think of an iPhone you are ready to plunk over a thousand dollars for, willingly. There are very few things in life that you would be willing to spend that kind of money. Should iPhone charge less than the maximum that people are willing to bear? Of course not.
Never sell yourself short. Match your strength to the career that maximizes your worth.