I'm Terrified of Wanting to Be a Billionaire | Pardis Parker | TED

Summary

Partis Parker, a Canadian living in Los Angeles, humorously discusses the cultural differences between Canada and LA, particularly around wealth and status. He pokes fun at the obsession with wealth in LA, comparing it to the extreme displays of luxury found on sites like Architectural Digest. He critiques the desire for generational wealth and legacy, suggesting that true legacy comes from simple, meaningful acts like giving out full-size chocolate bars for Halloween. Throughout, he mixes humor with insightful commentary, making fun of societal values surrounding money, fame, and legacy, while embracing his own Canadian humility.

Takeaways

• 😀 Partis Parker humorously shares a true Canadian story about apologizing after accidentally having his foot run over by a bicycle.
• 😀 He highlights the cultural differences between Canada and Los Angeles, emphasizing how people in LA fetishize wealth.
• 😀 Partis jokes about how people in LA are obsessed with massive estates and even speculates that there might be a wealth fetish category on adult websites.
• 😀 He contrasts the extravagant wealth of LA with people's obsession with luxury, particularly through the lens of Architectural Digest-style tours of huge homes.
• 😀 Partis expresses fear that living in LA is changing him into someone who might start chasing wealth and fetishizing it.
• 😀 He critiques the idea of being a billionaire, calling it a form of hoarding and pointing out that owning a billion of anything does not indicate financial savvy.
• 😀 Partis mocks the notion of building 'generational wealth,' saying it's unnecessary and that no one remembers the rich kids from school.
• 😀 He humorously critiques the obsession with wealth by stating that no one remembers billionaires while they're alive, and they certainly won’t be remembered by history either.
• 😀 He points out that people may not even know who the billionaires around them are, suggesting wealth doesn't guarantee recognition or legacy.
• 😀 Partis offers a humorous and light-hearted way to cement a legacy: by being the one house on the street that gives out full-size chocolate bars for Halloween.
• 😀 He ends with a final joke, addressing rich people in the audience, apologizing and thanking them, and offering a funny call to action to 'make out in the snow.'

Q & A

What is the significance of Partis Parker's story about getting run over by a bicycle?

The story highlights the Canadian stereotype of being overly polite. Partis humorously shares how, after someone ran over his foot with a bicycle, he apologized and even expressed gratitude, reflecting the extreme politeness often associated with Canadian culture.

How does Partis Parker use humor to address the concept of wealth in Los Angeles?

Partis Parker uses satire to critique the obsession with wealth in LA. He mocks the city's fetishization of billionaires and excessive displays of wealth, likening it to an unhealthy obsession and comparing it to hoarding, all while maintaining a humorous tone.

What does Partis Parker mean when he says being a billionaire doesn't make someone savvy but a hoarder?

He is pointing out that owning an excessive amount of wealth doesn't equate to intelligence or financial savvy. Instead, he compares it to hoarding, where someone accumulates vast quantities of something without any practical use or purpose.

What is the comedian's critique of generational wealth?

Partis humorously criticizes the idea of building generational wealth, suggesting that it could be a burden on future generations. He argues that no one wants to be remembered for being wealthy, especially if it’s through things like unnecessary wealth or unremarkable family names.

Why does Partis Parker bring up the idea of a legacy in his comedy routine?

He uses the idea of legacy to mock the notion that wealth or financial success will make someone historically significant. He comically asserts that leaving a legacy is much simpler, such as being the house that gives out full-size chocolate bars on Halloween.

What is the significance of the 'full-size chocolate bar' legacy joke?

This joke emphasizes how small, kind gestures can leave a lasting impact, using the example of a house that gives out full-size chocolate bars on Halloween. It suggests that true legacies are built on meaningful actions, not on the accumulation of wealth.

How does Partis Parker address the audience's potential defensiveness about wealth?

He anticipates the defensiveness of wealthy individuals in the audience by humorously acknowledging their potential anger or offense. He responds with a playful apology, suggesting that even those who are wealthy should embrace humor about their wealth.

What role does sarcasm play in Partis Parker's routine?

Sarcasm is central to his comedic style. He uses it to exaggerate cultural phenomena (like the obsession with wealth) and critique societal norms in a way that is both funny and thought-provoking. For example, his joke about billionaires sitting in the room unnoticed sarcastically points out how fleeting fame and wealth can be.

What does Partis Parker imply about the nature of billionaires and their legacy?

He implies that being a billionaire doesn’t guarantee a lasting legacy. Despite their wealth, billionaires are often forgotten, and their legacies are not as significant as people might think, evidenced by the fact that most people can’t even name the current billionaires.

How does the comedian's Canadian background influence his comedic perspective?

Partis Parker's Canadian background is crucial in shaping his humor, especially in terms of politeness and self-deprecating humor. He uses his roots to contrast Canadian behavior with the more intense cultural landscape of LA, drawing laughs from the differences in societal norms.