Exploring Money from a Philosophical Perspective: An Interview with Michael Köhlmeier

trend:
In the Theater im Park, ask for the “Philosophy under plane trees” series of talks. What is money from a philosophical point of view?
Michael Köhlmeier:
Philosophical? Marx would say: Money is coagulated labour. The metamorphosis of work.

And why is it still said in this country: We don’t talk about money?

In Vorarlberg they don’t say that. We talk money and we don’t blush. We are Calvinist Catholics, an impossibility actually. I like to talk about money, especially when I have some.

Do you have a good hand for the money? Do you know where your money went at the end of the month?
When we were short on money, I had a good hand for it. I always had red and black on my mind. I have resolved not to go into debt. With whom too? Nobody would have lent us anything anyway. Friends didn’t have one themselves, and a bank artists? Today I never know where the money goes. But we don’t have big expenses.

Are you a tough negotiator?
I am, yes Especially when I’m negotiating for my wife Monika Helfer. But even if I negotiate for myself. I can usually look the other person in the eye longer than he can.

What annoys you about the current economic system?
The shameless redistribution from bottom to top. This is class warfare, but this time in reverse. If a party behaves like the whore of the rich, but at the same time acts as if it were the keeper of the Christian saying that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go to heaven – oh, I don’t even know where to go with all the contempt I feel, this is our current economic system and our moral system. Pooh devil!

What shaped your family when it came to money?
My mother. She kept the household in balance. She was generous and at the same time realistically frugal, she always treated herself to something good, but never too much of it. When it comes to food, she made sure that everything was the best. There would never have been a second-class oil.

Do you remember what you spent your first self-earned money on?
For cigarettes.

What does prosperity mean to you?
If I don’t have to look at the right side of the menu first in the restaurant.

As a successful writer, you no longer need to worry about poverty in old age. Is financial security still an issue in your life? And: What was your previous investment strategy?
Sometimes I wake up in the night and I’m scared of being poor. That’s what happens when you haven’t had anything for so many years. investment strategy? Yes. We go to our bank, there we talk to our friend, he’s the boss there, he tells us what’s best, and we nod and understand almost nothing.

Everything has gotten more expensive. Where are you currently saving?
I don’t know, I don’t think I’m going to save. But as I said, we don’t have any great expectations. We haven’t had a car for 35 years. Does that count as savings?

What do you consider to be your own personal little wealth?
Why small? I buy every book that interests me and every CD. I am rich in books and music. And rich in guitars. I like playing on it and looking at it.

You are also considered a passionate cook. How much can good food cost?
If I don’t get ripped off, it can cost anything. I put that in my body. It is such happiness to eat together! And if I am afterwards praised that it tasted good – what are a few euros more or less!

What else do you light-heartedly spend a lot of money on? your guitar collection?
I sometimes have a guilty conscience when it comes to guitars. Then Monika comes and says: It’s time again for you to buy one. And I say: No, I already have 36. And at some point I’ll buy the 37.

What would you not do for a lot of money?
Not sticking to Kant’s categorical imperative.

What was the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
I don’t think I’ve done anything crazy. This is something for philistines.

What does luxury mean to you?
Not having to think about the money.

And what would you spend your last money on?
So Monika and I don’t freeze.