A Mirage of Satisfaction and Succession

A perspective on the pursuit of wealth and the path to lasting happiness.

In our hyper-modern, always “on” culture, we’re often lulled into a belief that contentment lies in the pursuit of more — more gadgets, clicks, likes, experiences, sales, and ultimately financial success. It’s a mentality that views our life’s worth in terms of acquisition — a race with no finish line, where the only constant is our ceaseless chase for more.

Succession

I’ve recently binged “Succession,” the well-written and acted HBO series, which provides a profound exploration of the culture of wealth accumulation, power dynamics, and family relationships. I must confess when it first aired years ago, I watched the first episode and found the characters so revolting I couldn’t bear to watch. It’s a compliment to the writing and performances that the characters reminded me of more than a few people with whom I’ve crossed paths in my travels. I gave it a hard pass.

But I kept hearing from people I respect that it was worth my time if I could tolerate the characters for what they are: avatars for personal struggles, insecurities, and the complexities of family dynamics. “Succession” provides a deeper exploration of power, legacy, and the high-stakes world of corporate America.