https://www.alainguillot.com/capitalism-the-highest-form-of-altruism/

The Misconceptions About Money

I live among a few friends who have a very negative view of money.

• Billionaires are the source of all our problems and inequalities.
• Money corrupts people.
• Money turns people into slaves.
• Money is the root of all evil.
• The world would be a better place without it.

In my opinion, money is none of these things. Money is neutral. It is a store of value, a tool, a medium of exchange—potential waiting to be unlocked.

In the vast majority of cases, money is used constructively—except when mismanaged by governments. In fact, money is the greatest tool for incentivizing altruism.

Think about it. Billions of people wake up every day and go to work: picking up garbage, making clothes, growing food, building furniture, caring for the sick, teaching children, entertaining audiences. Most of them are serving people they will never meet.

Now, if we removed money from the equation, we would call these people saints, devoted to the service of others. But because they get paid, we often dismiss their efforts as “just a job” or assume they are only in it for the money.

Yet money itself is just paper—or, in today’s world, digits in a bank’s software. It has no intrinsic value. It is a shared fiction that we collectively believe in because it motivates pro-social behavior.

Here’s the paradox: Tell people you are going to pay them money, and they will spend all day helping others. But on their day off, when they are not getting paid, how many people will volunteer at a local non-profit? How many will build homes for the homeless? How will many actively help others?

Most people spend their free time pursuing their own interests and pleasures. And that’s okay. But it proves a point: without financial incentives, widespread altruism does not happen at the scale needed to sustain civilization.

I have worked as a photographer for the past ten years. But now that I am financially independent, I no longer need to work as a photographer. I love the artistic value of photography, but let’s be honest—the money was a major motivator. Now that the incentive is gone, I have stopped.

The few people who dedicate their lives to helping others out of pure goodwill can never meet the demands of a functioning society. Without money, the entire global system—billions of interconnections—would collapse.

The reality is that the global economy is built on people helping people. Someone I will never meet grew my food, made my clothes, and built my apartment. That’s a beautiful thing—people contributing to the well-being of others without even realizing who benefits.

If you recognize money as the fiction that it is, then the world transforms into a vast network of people helping people. And the only alternative to money is force—either through direct violence or social coercion. That’s exactly what we see in communist societies, where incentives are replaced with fear and control.

The hard truth is that people are not naturally motivated to be altruistic on a large scale. Do you need proof? Just look at your own behavior. How do you spend your free time? Most likely, you are not out there serving others.

So there must be a motivating factor—either the carrot or the stick. And personally, I prefer the carrot, and I think other people prefer the carrot as well.

Money, for all its flaws, is a social good because it creates the shared fiction that incentivizes altruism. In a world where people naturally prioritize their own well-being, capitalism ensures that the best way to improve your own life is by improving the lives of others.

https://www.alainguillot.com/the-price-of-living-your-own-life-is-letting-go-of-others-approval/

Society expects us to follow a predetermined social script, but that script doesn’t work for everyone. If you want a different life, you will face resistance from your family, friends, coworkers, and strangers.

When I came to Canada, I hoped to follow the social script as well. I wanted to get a regular 9-to-5 job, get married, and have a house and a dog. But due to racial discrimination, I was never able to get the job I wanted—I found myself locked out of that path. I had to build a life from the leftovers of society. I worked as a freelance janitor, moving from one office building to another. My social script was that of the immigrant Latino, the underprivileged class. Fortunately, I managed to educate myself and built a life that surpassed my expectations.

In North America, the typical expectations for most people are:

• Graduate from high school
• Go to college
• Get a good job
• Climb the corporate ladder
• Get married
• Have kids
• Encourage your kids to do the same

If you want a different life, you have to build it for yourself. The problem is that the more you deviate from the well-trodden path, the less comprehensible your choices become to those around you. The price of living life on your own terms is often the disapproval of others.

To live authentically, you must reject your culture’s expectations of what your life is supposed to look like. The social script dictates how your relationships should progress, how your career should unfold, and how your family should operate. Unfortunately, this script doesn’t work for many people.

Take marriage as an example. Everyone knows that it fails more often than it succeeds, yet people continue to get married. If you tell others you’re not interested in marriage, they’ll criticize you—even if their own marriages are broken and unhappy.

If you choose not to have kids, you might face judgment for not conforming to that expectation.

The same applies to jobs. Most jobs are neither necessary, interesting, nor rewarding. A full-time job is unlikely to make you rich. Financial freedom doesn’t come from employment; it comes from ownership. Yet millions of people continue to work jobs they hate just to afford the cost of living in a city where they work jobs they hate. It’s common knowledge, yet people keep signing up.

If you tell others you want to work for yourself or become an entrepreneur, they may look at you as if you’re irresponsible—even if they themselves are counting the days to retirement.

When you decide to write your own life script, your choices can make others uncomfortable. Your independence highlights their own fears and compromises. If you refuse to follow the script, you might incite envy, because your courage reflects their cowardliness.

The incomprehensibility of your choices, combined with the insecurities they provoke in others, can lead to hostility, aggression, and even ostracization.

The cost of living your own life is giving up the approval of others.

Even though the social script fails millions of people every day, they remain attached to it because it dictates how their families, friends, and communities have lived. They will struggle to understand your choices, and people rarely approve of what they don’t understand. The more your life deviates from the norm, the lonelier the journey may feel.

Entrepreneurship and self-employment can be especially isolating. Your family and friends may not support you, and that loneliness can pull people back into the social script. Many accept an unfulfilling life in exchange for companionship.

Your family and childhood friends were chosen for you by circumstance. Most friendships are accidental—formed in school, at work, or within shared communities. But how many of those friendships would still exist if you met those people today?

https://www.alainguillot.com/why-more-wealth-isnt-making-us-happier/

The Paradox of Prosperity

I have everything, yet I am not always happy. Sometimes I get lonely because I work at home and I lack social interaction, or sometimes I get jealous of other people who have more money or fame than me.

As a society, we are wealthier than ever before. We have access to more resources, better healthcare, longer lifespans, and technological advancements that make life more convenient. Yet, despite all this progress, we seem to be getting unhappier.

Every year, the General Social Survey (GSS) asks Americans a simple question:

“Taken all together, how would you say things are these days—would you say that you are very happy, pretty happy, or not too happy?”

The responses paint a concerning picture. In 2021, the percentage of people who declared themselves to be very happy dropped below 20%—a steep decline compared to past decades. While surveys aren’t always perfect reflections of reality, the trend is clear: we are growing more unhappy. But why?

Despite our material gains, several factors contribute to our increasing dissatisfaction:

1. Social Media and the Comparison Trap
   Social media constantly bombards us with curated versions of other people’s lives, making it easy to feel inadequate. We compare our everyday realities with the highlight reels of influencers, celebrities, and even our own friends. No matter how much we achieve, it often feels like someone else is doing better, earning more, traveling more, or simply living better.
2. Wealth Flexing and the Illusion of Inequality
   While economic growth has lifted millions out of poverty, it has also widened the wealth gap. Social media magnifies this disparity, making it seem as if “everyone is getting rich—except me.” The visibility of extreme wealth creates unrealistic benchmarks, leaving many feeling left behind even if they are financially stable.
3. The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
   Life today is filled with endless choices—career paths, travel destinations, personal projects, social events. Instead of feeling grateful for what we do experience, we often focus on what we haven’t done. This leads to a constant feeling of inadequacy, as if we are always falling short of life’s potential.
4. The Political Climate and Pessimism
   In the past, political issues felt more distant. Today, social media brings every scandal, injustice, and controversy directly into our feeds. The 24/7 news cycle fuels anxiety, anger, and division, making it harder to remain optimistic about the future.

The research is clear: happiness doesn’t come from external achievements or material possessions. Instead, it’s found in:

• Meaningful Relationships – Strong social connections are the biggest predictor of long-term happiness. Investing in friendships, family, and community provides a sense of belonging and support.
• Purposeful Work – Feeling that our work contributes to something bigger than ourselves, whether through career, volunteering, or passion projects, enhances our well-being.
• Practicing Gratitude – Shifting our focus from what we lack to what we have can transform our mindset. Taking time to appreciate life’s small joys—sunsets, laughter, personal growth—can make a significant difference.

We have more wealth, access, and opportunities than previous generations, yet we’re still searching for happiness. The answer isn’t in more—more money, more status, more possessions. It’s in less: less comparison, less consumerism, less fear of missing out. By focusing on what truly matters, we can reclaim our happiness in an age of abundance.

https://www.alainguillot.com/no-more-trans-athletes-in-womens-sports/

https://www.alainguillot.com/ayn-rands-vision-of-america/

DEI is OUT, meritocracy is IN.

Meritocracy is the idea that people should advance based on ability and achievement rather than privilege or status.

There are many groups that hate meritocracy, for example:

• Unions: Unions believe in seniority, not on merit.
• Marxists and socialist: These groups believe on the idea of taking away from the most productive members of society to redistribute it to the least productive.
• Religious groups: It’s interesting how The Vatican ask rich people to donate their fortune to the poor while the Vatican is one of the wealthiest institutions of the world and they are not donating any of their wealth. On that note, the Vatican criticizes the wall being build between the U.S. and Mexico, while the Vatican has a beautiful wall around its city that they can open and close at their will.
• DEI promoters: DEI promoters advocate for preferential treatment of Gays, Transgenders, Black, Immigrants, etc, over merit. This preferential treatment can have horrible consequesces.

Many of today’s business leaders such as Peter Thiel and Marc Andreessen follow the ideas of ideas on individualism, capitalism, and meritocracy proposed by Ayn Rand.

As someone who came to Canada with no money, no connections, no education, and no language skills, I find her philosophy deeply resonant. It’s a perspective that not only helped me find my way but also allowed me to thrive in a society that rewards self-reliance and determination.

When I arrived in Canada, I didn’t have anyone to lean on. There was no network, no safety net—just me, my ambition, and an unfamiliar world. My readings of Ayn Rand reminded me that success doesn’t come from waiting for handouts or relying on others to create opportunities. It comes from within.

Within 20 years of my arrival in Canada, I achieved financial independence. The ability to dream big and having a meritocratic system that allowed me to grow based on the risk that was taking and my hard work was all I needed.

In Rand’s view, capitalism is the only system that respects individual rights and rewards innovation and hard work. As an immigrant, I’ve seen the truth in this. In Canada, capitalism opened doors that allowed me to grow—not because of who I knew, but because of what I could create. At the same time, I have seen people who depend exclusively on hand outs and who claim that the rich are taxed enough and that the government is not helping enough.

I started with nothing and built a life by seizing opportunities, taking calculated risks, and being relentless in my efforts. Over 20 years, I went from struggling to make ends meet to creating several businesses such as the dance school and my photography business. This would not have been possible in a society that prioritizes equality of outcome over equality of opportunity.

Capitalism doesn’t guarantee success, but it guarantees the chance to succeed. It levels the playing field by allowing everyone to compete, regardless of where they come from.

While diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are often well-intentioned, they can sometimes create unintended consequences by focusing on privileging certain groups over others. Meritocracy—the cornerstone of Rand’s philosophy—offers a better alternative. It emphasizes rewarding individuals based on their achievements, skills, and contributions rather than their identities.

When I started my career, no one cared that I was an immigrant or that I spoke with an accent. What mattered was the value I could bring. Meritocracy gave me the chance to prove myself and earn my place.

DEI policies that prioritize identity over merit risk creating resentment and undermining the very idea of fairness. True inclusion doesn’t come from lowering standards or giving advantages; it comes from ensuring that everyone has equal access to opportunities and is judged by the same criteria.

https://www.alainguillot.com/how-prosperity-can-make-you-a-generous-person/

When I visit my family in my native Colombia, I always try to help out those family members who need help the most.

As an immigrant arriving in Canada, I didn’t have the financial means to help anyone — I was struggling just to get by. But over the years, things have changed. Although I’ve never been a high earner, I learned to invest my modest income in the stock market. Today, I’m in a position to help my family if they need me.

One of my neighbors, she works in two different you because she likes to help out her sick mother in Africa.

Every year, millions of immigrants come to the U.S. and Canada to earn enough money to help our family member in our countries of origin. But one thing is obvious, people can only be generous when they earn enough money to satisfy their own needs.

People with more money have greater capacity to give. Someone barely managing to pay rent may find it hard to be generous, while those with excess disposable income often find ways to contribute.

It’s not that wealth automatically makes someone more generous—it simply provides the means. Some wealthy individuals choose to give because they find joy in helping others, while others may give out of a sense of boredom or obligation.

On the other hand, those who are naturally generous may lack the resources to act on their generosity. The unfortunate reality is that genuine generosity often requires both time and money, and those struggling to make ends meet rarely have either to spare.

Let’s face it: life is overwhelming for many. Most people are preoccupied with their own challenges—financial stress, time constraints, or emotional struggles. In these situations, their generosity is often limited to fulfilling their own responsibilities, which is no small feat.

It’s only when we create space in our lives—financially, emotionally, and mentally—that we can help others.

Of course, there are exceptions: There are people who have time and money but no inclination to help others. Yet, I’ve found that when people achieve to have some abundance—whether it’s having extra time, emotional energy, or financial resources—they are more willing to offer a helping hand.

Let’s be real: kind words and good intentions don’t pay the bills or solve major problems. My neighbor with with a sick mother, could say the most kind and understanding words to her mother, but it’s the money that she sends what helps pay for the medical bills.

It’s not about randomly giving cash to friends and family, but understand this: sometimes, writing a check or donating money can create more happiness than well-meaning holiday wishes.

One of the many ways to become a better person, is simply to make more money. Abundance fosters generosity, and with greater resources (money, time, empathy), you’ll be better equipped to help others.

To help others, you need to first create abundance in your own life. This means:

• Create an investment account and contribute to it regularly.
• Drop some of the busy-work you do to have more time to help others.
• Find a way to solve your emotional issues so you can have the mental space to help others.

If you’re constantly worried about your own problems, you’ll have little capacity to help others. Solve your own issues first, and you’ll find that you’re in a much better position to help others.

The Roman philosopher Seneca wrote in On the Shortness of Life:

“It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it. Life is long if you know how to use it.”

The most valuable thing we have is our time. If we use it wisely we can create a fulfilling live for ourselves and for others.

We have to find a way to break away from the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle and find ways for long term abundance. I did it through my stock market investments, you have to find your own way. We all have the potential to live a life of abundance that allows us to help those around us.

https://www.alainguillot.com/i-am-bad-at-yoga-and-i-am-happy-about-it/

My friend Cheryl started practicing yoga. She had a couple of guest passes, so she invited me to join her for a class. I enjoyed the class enough that I decided to continue going.

I’m not good at it, and I’m not even trying to be good at it—I’m just enjoying the experience of trying something new.

So many of us are afraid to try new things. We fear embarrassing ourselves and showing our vulnerability. We don’t want to accept our roles as beginners, so we never start. We reject the idea of being bad at something.

But I think we’re missing out.

When we try something new, it should be a relief not to have to be good at it. If you have a job where you’re being paid, then, of course, you need to excel. But if you’re trying something new—as a pastime or for personal growth—it should be liberating to not have to be good at it.

As for my yoga classes; my body is not too flexible. I don’t know the names of the poses, so I have to look around to see what others are doing. I can’t hold a pose long enough, either. I’m bad at it, and I’m loving it.

Especially now during the winter, I enjoy being in a hot room, sweating the toxins out of my body, surrounded by others—many of them beginners like me. I love not having to be an expert, or even mediocre. I give myself permission to ask questions and say, “I’m a beginner at this.”

What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to do but were too afraid to try? Whatever it is, start doing it. If you struggle, embrace the fact that you’re a beginner.

Give it a try, and don’t hesitate to tell people, “I’m new at this.” You’ll find that most people want to help you learn—it makes them feel good.

I think that before social media, people were more willing to show vulnerability and admit their lack of expertise. But now, it seems like everyone wants to appear as an overnight expert.

At one time, I was a salsa dance teacher. After a 15-minute class, once I showed the basic step, a student would often say, “How come I don’t look like you?” My answer was simple: “Because I’ve been doing this for 15 years, and you’ve been doing it for 15 minutes.”

It can feel insulting to those who’ve spent years mastering their craft to think you can perform at their level after just a few minutes. We should embrace being beginners and enjoy the learning process.

So, what are you bad at?

https://www.alainguillot.com/stay-away-from-investing-in-alcohol-companies/

People are not drinking as they used to. Ten years ago, it was common to see people going to bars for happy hours, having a few drinks at home after work, or getting wasted on weekends to celebrate. However, this scenario is becoming less frequent, and companies in the alcohol industry are taking a significant hit.

Many cultural and health factors are contributing to the decline in alcohol consumption, which, in turn, has led to a decline in the stock prices of alcohol-producing companies.

In a year where the S&P 500 rose by approximately 25%, most alcohol-producing stocks have shown negative returns.

The world’s largest beer company, known for brands like Budweiser, Corona, Stella Artois, and Michelob Ultra. Its stock price has dropped by 21% over the past 12 months.

A leading spirits producer with a portfolio including Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, Baileys, and Tanqueray. Its stock price has declined by 31% in the past 12 months.

Known for its beer, wine, and spirits, including brands like Corona (in the U.S.), Modelo, and Svedka Vodka. Its stock price has fallen by 28% in the last year.

1. Reduced Social Interactions Many people have become addicted to their cell phones, spending less time socializing face-to-face.
2. Increased Health Consciousness Health-conscious consumers are opting for alternatives like non-alcoholic beverages, craft sodas, and functional drinks (e.g., kombucha, CBD drinks).
3. Rise of Designer Drugs At parties, people are increasingly using alternatives such as cannabis, ecstasy, LSD, ketamine, and other substances. These are often more accessible and cheaper than alcohol.
4. Impact of GLP-1 Drugs A significant portion of alcohol consumption comes from heavy drinkers who consume large amounts daily. The growing use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro) is curbing appetites and potentially reducing alcohol dependence. If these “super consumers” stop drinking, the alcohol industry could face severe challenges.

Investors should carefully consider the declining trends in alcohol consumption before committing to this sector. With cultural shifts, health trends, and alternative substances on the rise, the profitability of alcohol companies may continue to dwindle.

Major Publicly Traded Companies in the Alcohol IndustryAnheuser-Busch InBev (Ticker: BUD)Diageo PLC (Ticker: DEO)Constellation Brands (Ticker: STZ)Reasons for the Decline in Alcohol ConsumptionConclusion