Summary of "His money is my money: modern slavery"

Summary — “His money is my money: modern slavery” (Psychax, Dr. Orion Taban)

Core argument

Dr. Orion Taban argues that claiming entitlement to a partner’s earnings (“his money is my money”) is both morally and practically wrong. He grounds this in the idea that money represents the transfigured labor and time of a person’s body. Therefore, asserting a right to another person’s money is, in his view, equivalent to claiming their labor — and by extension their bodily use and freedom — which he likens to a form of modern slavery.

Just as modern society rejects the idea that one person is entitled to another’s body, we should reject the idea that a partner is entitled to someone’s resources simply because of a sexual or romantic relationship.

Key points and reasoning

Money as disembodied labor: earnings are an abstraction of time and bodily effort; claiming another’s money is comparable to claiming their labor/body.
Money buys freedom: financial resources enable practical freedom (for example, the ability to leave a bad job or an abusive relationship).
“Fuck-you money”: possessing enough private wealth to leave unacceptable situations; removing someone’s money reduces their practical freedom and makes them easier to control.
Historical and political context: civil liberties, capitalism, and private property are linked; private property is presented as underpinning individual freedom.
Moral conclusion: entitlement to another’s money is unjust and should be resisted in the same way we resist entitlement to another’s body.

Practical lifestyle takeaways

Resist narratives that claim entitlement to a partner’s income; view finances and earnings as tied to individual autonomy.
Prioritize financial independence to protect personal freedom and bargaining power within relationships.
Stay aware of how control of money can be used to coerce or limit another person’s choices and recognize financial power dynamics.

Calls to action (from the speaker)

Reflect on the ideas presented and comment.
Share the episode and explore the speaker’s other offerings.

Notable speaker, products and links

Speaker/channel: Dr. Orion Taban — Psychax (Better Living Through Psychology).
Books and works mentioned:
- The Value of Others — nonfiction on an economic model of relationships.
- Starry Night — a psychological novel about Vincent van Gogh (available as ebook, audiobook, paperback).
Community and services:
- The Captain’s Quarters — private bimonthly group consultations.
- Free weekly newsletter and paid one-on-one consultations via his website (links are provided in the video description).