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I don’t think that the Roman (or current) decadence was due to having the money for nice frescoes, or due to posthumous artistic endowments.

Due to having enough wealth to have ‘idle hands syndrome’, that’s another matter.

I won’t pretend to have the answers, but in terms of one’s own wealth, one could always try to establish the “Howard Family Trust”, or similar. Although I doubt it would come with the (ahem) benefits that Heinlien’s version did.

Seriously, unless you’re a Ford, or Carnegie, or some such, you’re not likely to make a dent in anything that might last more than a generation or two.

Ask today’s kids if they know who Danny Kaye is, or if they’ve seen one of his movies. I mean, who could forget ‘The Court Jester’?

A thousand years from now, if this world is still turning, it’s likely less than a dozen names from the 20th century will last, and none of us are going to make that list.

As for me, it’s probably a little late to worry about children for my ‘posterity’, so phooey. My goal is to spend it all (if possible) before I go, and if not, leave what’s left to friends and cousins who will hopefully carry a pleasant memory for a while at least.

Or alternatively, I could start accepting donations toward my proposed “FreepHenge”, the biggest Henge this side of the Meridian... :P

LOL,

I’ve made the “pilgrimage” to CarHenge, Neb. a couple of times.

All suggestions to the issue point to relatively short term actions.

I can go with that, in working on “local” actions.

It’s just that the concept of compound “interest” [in that concept’s many forms] can’t be focused on improving the public sphere and gain ground for Western Civ going forward can’t be beneficial in the long run is problematic.

Very confused I am in considering all of this.

I'm clearly unaware of that which you speak.

"The banker reached into the folds of his gown, pulled out a single credit note. “But eat first — a full belly steadies the judgment. Do me the honor of accepting this as our welcome to the newcomer.”

His pride said no; his stomach said YES! Don took it and said, “Uh, thanks! That’s awfully kind of you. I’ll pay it back, first chance.”

“Instead, PAY IT FORWARD to some other brother who needs it.

Maybe you can elucidate and edumatcate me. No negativity intended, just trying to learn. Heinlein was my go to guy for reading in upper el in the late 50s..