This book, The Need for Greed, Dracula's Curse, by Johnny Delirious
(Michael Maxon), is a memoir and cautionary tale dedicated to those who have suffered "tragic family and economic loss". It uses the author's personal ruin as a microcosm for the spiritual and financial decline of the nation.
The Thesis: The "Need for Greed" Curse
The central thesis of the book is that the "Need for Greed" (NFG)
is an insidious "cancer" or "curse" that corrupts individuals, governments, and corporations, leading inevitably to disaster and the breakdown of the American Dream. The author argues that this NFG creates a "grand illusion" in society, trivializing relationships and turning life into a self-destructive "game".
The author, Michael Maxon, details his survival from total personal and financial collapse, which included:
- Family Tragedy:
His infant son, Alex, died at the hands of his wife.
- Financial Ruin:
He lost his business (Millionaire Blueprints, Inc., or MBI) due to partner deception and the greedy actions of shareholders.
- Legal Persecution:
He was arrested and charged with a felony—neglect and endangerment of a child—which he views as a politically motivated attack on an "easy kill" taxpayer.
The author
concludes that the antidote to the NFG is adopting an "Outside Job"—a spiritual commitment to core values, practicing forgiveness over anger, and eliminating the desire for things one doesn't already possess.
Key Quotation by the Author
The following quote identifies the core problem in both the individual and the financial system:
"I have learned that money and greed are not really evil. Money and greed do not rob people. But once you think you NEED
them, that is when the CURSE
takes hold. The more you want or NEED, the more evil the curse".
Factual Data and Examples Supporting the Thesis
The book uses historical and economic data to demonstrate the NFG's destructive influence on society:
- Corporate Policy:
Major auto manufacturers like General Motors (GM)
instituted "planned obsolescence"
in the 1950s, intentionally making cheaper and inferior products to increase profits and condition consumers.
- Financial Fraud:
The U.S. financial crash was facilitated by the creation of "triple-A rated bonds out of 'liars' loans'," enabled by the deregulation of mortgage lending.
- Government Bailouts:
In 2009, CEOs of failed companies like GM received huge bonuses
even after taking billions of dollars in taxpayer bailout money, an action the author calls an example of the NFG on a national scale.
- Roman History:
The author draws a parallel between the fall of the Roman Empire
and modern society, noting that Rome's demise was likely due to widespread exposure to lead
in water pipes, cosmetics, and wine.
- Survival Rates:
The NFG contributes to destructive outcomes, noting that over 50% of professional athletes
who earn millions eventually die poor.
Information About the Author's Organization
The author, Johnny Delirious, is associated with The Master Survivor University (MSU), an organization founded in 2012. The MSU's philosophical guidelines advocate for Ancient Greek Wisdom
and embrace core survival principles as an alternative to external dependence. The organization's focus on helping people purge the root of self-destruction aligns with the book's purpose of conquering the NFG curse.
