If someone paid you $1 billion right now, with the condition that you could never work a day in your life again, and never start a company, would you do it?
Edit: rms is right. How about "If someone paid you $1 billion with the condition that you could never do anything productive ever again, and basically had to live a playboy's life forever, would you do it?"
My answer would be a resounding no. Some things just cannot be bought. Everyone knows what things they would never do regardless of the money involved. If I could not do anything productive ever again, I'd be depressed.
Also, I think there is such thing as too much money. In terms of happiness, money provides diminishing returns. I believe that having enough to not worry about having to generate income is a good goal for most people. Beyond that, it can create a feeling of alienation with regards to the rest of the population, as you would be too far to the right on the wealth distribution curve and would have few peers. What do you get in return? Fame (if you want it) and access to extravagant toys. The real problems in life remain the same whether you have 10M or 1B: you will get old, you may have family or health problems, accidents happen, etc.
Alienation + productivity ban = sad life. No thanks.
Ditto. "Productive" is such a loose term. The question basically boils down to "would you take a billion dollars along with an interdiction from trying hard at anything that you think you might enjoy doing?"
Edit: rms is right. How about "If someone paid you $1 billion with the condition that you could never do anything productive ever again, and basically had to live a playboy's life forever, would you do it?"