Why Financial Maximization is Failing Us: The Hidden Cage of Modern Life

Imagine waking up each day in a world where almost every decision—whether in business, politics, or personal life—is silently dictated by one overriding principle: maximize financial gain. This principle, known as financial maximization, has become the invisible force shaping modern society. It feels so natural that we rarely question it, yet it acts like an iron cage, restricting our imagination and limiting the values we consider legitimate.

Financial maximization is more than just a conscious choice; it is a hidden default embedded in laws, cultural norms, and economic incentives. From the positioning of retail stores favoring right turns due to driver behavior to the relentless focus on quarterly earnings reports, this default steers behavior in ways most people do not see or challenge. This cage confines not only institutions but also individuals, making it seem inevitable that money must be the ultimate goal.

Game theory, especially the Prisoner’s Dilemma, has reinforced this mindset by defining rationality as maximizing self-interest. In a world modeled as a zero-sum game, trust gives way to paranoia and competition. Yet, experiments with real people show that cooperation and loyalty often prevail, suggesting that narrow financial rationality is neither natural nor inevitable.

The consequences of this mindset are stark. Wage stagnation despite rising productivity, economic consolidation leading to cultural monotony, and a growing gap between the Maximizing Class and ordinary workers reveal a system that benefits few at the expense of many. Stock buybacks, legalized only in 1982, exemplify how profits are funneled to shareholders rather than reinvested in workers or communities.

But the story does not end here. Bentoism offers a hopeful alternative. Inspired by the Japanese bento box, this framework encourages balancing multiple values—Now Me, Now Us, Future Me, and Future Us—across social and temporal dimensions. It recognizes that human motivation extends beyond money to include autonomy, mastery, purpose, and community.

Real-world examples, such as Adele’s fair ticketing system and the NBA’s embrace of the three-point shot, demonstrate how values beyond profit can drive innovation and success. Generational shifts and the Values Helix metaphor further illustrate how societal values evolve dynamically over time, shaped by shared experiences and intergenerational dialogue.

Ultimately, breaking free from the cage of financial maximization requires personal and collective action. By creating personal Bentos, adopting organizational Bentoism, and nurturing a Values Maximizing Class, we can build a more generous, balanced, and fulfilling future. If you have a destination, it’s amazing how far you can go.

For more insights, explore the full book and its transformative ideas that challenge the status quo and invite us to imagine a better world. 1 2 4