Episode 3: Gaming the System

Nothing frustrates me more than seeing people taking advantage of ‘the rules’, or finding a loophole in ‘the system’ to gain an advantage over me or others. You certainly can think of examples in your own life. At the same time, if other people are going to do it, why can’t I? I want an advantage, too? Following up on ‘the rules’ discussion in Episode 2, why should we play by the rules instead of finding a ‘trick’ to put money in our pocket, gain an advantage, or find a win? Do rules matter? When is it ok to break them?

Following up on the ‘rules’ discussion in Episode 2, why should we play by the rules instead of finding a ‘trick’ to put money in our pocket, gain an advantage, or find a win? Do rules matter? When is it ok to break them?

Surely, you can think of examples in your own life.

I’m guilty, myself, of gaming the system. I exploit real estate rules many consider to be loopholes. I get fairly substantial tax breaks for owning and repairing rental properties. While I don’t consider myself a slumlord, many would argue that I am just as evil as the corporate giants who do the same thing on a much larger scale.

Another housing example is depreciation. How can you own a house that you can sell for a future profit, yet depreciate the value on your income tax returns? How can something simultaneously gain and lose value?

Do these things once and it’s a loophole. Exploit them continuously and you’re a gamer.

Take my father for example. He gamed Wal-Mart for years in increasingly clever ways. He peaked when he bought a broken weed eater at a yard sale for maybe $5. He went to Wal-Mart and returned it, claiming he had purchased it there. He gamed their return system by bullying the clerk. He got cash back for the weed eater then went to Lowe’s to buy a new one.

More blatant examples include celebrities bribing colleges to accept their children or paying lobbyists to influence politicians to vote your way.

We are surrounded by gamers who exploit (often) well-intentioned rules or laws to receive disproportionate and obscene benefits.

We have to ask ourselves, “What was the intent of this rule”?

Episode 3 audio:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/530563/3449428

Episode 3 video: