One thing though - the rich mayn't form proper sentences. Bezos mayn't (or definitely does not) read a book a day.
But give this a thought, we're evaluating their 'intelligence' from our 'lower-class' standards.
Like reading, writing, and thinking skills. Maybe the rich don't need to pass these standard tests like we do. But still, they're the winners in this money-oriented society that we have for us. They're doing something right. Something that's 'working out' for them. That something mayn't pass our judgment criteria because the syllabus is not the same. Maybe they get rewarded for a different set of skills like - lying, conniving, conspiring, being overtly greedy all the time etc etc...
ummm yeah, they pass the test of inheritance. Born to wealth, they learn the art of pleasing authority figures and subsequently everyone around who wears the signs of high society. best way to sustain the status quo is not to offend, not to question, not to think, not to kill joy. Highway by Imtiaz Ali really stands out in these times, shows the superficiality of elite society.
This is very depressingly true, and the system is grossly rigged—very mediocre classmates of mine are making obscene amounts of money for no good reason other than having broken into the right Circles. So, the big C word is Capitalism, yes, but also Circles. And the big R word, the Refrain, always is—but what is the solution/alternative? I don’t know, does anyone:-)?
Wow, this comment is so well written and Abt the question what I think is: We all know deep down that elites or so-called role models are not always sincere and morally upright, but we have been so thoroughly brainwashed by the press and rewritten history that we don't want to see them negatively or if anyone turns out as one we romanticize becoming them because who doesn't want to experience the dopamine that comes with rebellion with the power & money? I beleive, if there is any answer for all this questions: critical thinking is must and "chetana" means consciousness is somthing we all should work on cuz this market is full of jerks who just wants to make money out the insecurities and fears.. as eg beauty industry ( it is so messed up). primarily holding onto hope and the idea that there is something good thing out there for them.
I lived in and out of Dehlee for about 50-55 years. In that period of time, I hung out with some very rich and powerful people. You know, wealth and opulence and power of a scale that made me wonder what was there in the well of their houses or farms, maybe a mint.
Many of them have dropped off the radar.
ByTheWay, the reference to Page 3? It started with the topless models on the Page 3 of the non-broad-sheet tabloid type newspapers in Vilayat.
How Page 3 became the aspirational for the rich, wealthy and powerful in India beats me.
💯. One more series that comes close to capturing the opportunism, connivance as well as absolute ineptness of the rich is Class. Streaming on Netflix. And directed by Ashim Ahluwalia. Would highly recommend if you haven’t seen it yet. :)
Good one Anurag. Funnily, I had the same thought when I was reading the emails - that they don't know how to write, which you took it magnificiently one step further to thinking. I loved this line which captures them in the best way - "grotesque beneficiaries of an unfair world."
we really need to push back against such ideology that justifies such vast levels of income/wealth inequality. there is no such thing as an ethical billionaire.
Good one Anurag. I think the typos and incomplete sentences are also a signaling tool. Its its own language. The message is “I am too rushed and busy to write properly or correct my mistakes”. I can’t be bothered because I have to go kill a thousand villagers or poison some river. I am not some namby pamby thinker. I am a doer. Napoleon did not have time to form complete sentences. The other thing I see in the exchanges is the insecurities, to be part of a better club. Reminded of how Gupta, ex CEO of McKinsey was ensnared in an insider trading scandal because he wanted to fly private and not first class. The wheel never stops.
This analysis is brilliant. The observation about how rich elites outsource even basic thinking becuase it feels like work really exposes something crucial about wealth and laziness. I remmber working at a consulting firm and seeing how execs couldn't draft a single coherent email without their assistants. The self-help economy built on this myth of billionaire discipline is basically a scam that keeps people blaming themselves for structural inequality.
Your point about the moral mythology around wealth really stayed with me. We do attach virtue to success in ways that protect hierarchy.
I’m curious whether the issue is less laziness and more insulation — when leverage compounds, but so does distance from consequence. That shift seems psychologically profound.
Now that you’ve put this thought across, I am just thinking out loud, - being from a middle-class family - I am conscious about my English and how I form my sentences; it becomes evidence for judgment, my social standing and
They can’t be bothered to form proper sentences because they just need the message sent out, it’s always an instruction or a remark. Maybe it’s because they were brought up to be understood by others, while we were brought up to be understanding of others. If that’s the case, the gaps are not just between our bank balances and assets; they’re between their soft skills and ours.
Another thing I’ve thought about is this: I’ve tried imagining these scenarios, but they are so gruesome that I can’t even let my mind wander without feeling physically ill. Still, I tried thinking about what goes on in their heads- curiosity out of boredom? To what extent can we push? To what extent can we break the rules? To what extent can our morals bend?
Ironically, almost child like wonder?
So don’t you think this is a tale as old as it gets? Are they all spoiled brats?
I think the most dangerous part isn’t that some wealthy people are lazy or bored. It’s that boredom plus insulation produces experimentation without consequence. When your mistakes don’t cost you socially, legally, or financially, morality becomes optional. For most people, ethics are reinforced by vulnerability. For the ultra-rich, vulnerability barely exists.
Good piece.
One thing though - the rich mayn't form proper sentences. Bezos mayn't (or definitely does not) read a book a day.
But give this a thought, we're evaluating their 'intelligence' from our 'lower-class' standards.
Like reading, writing, and thinking skills. Maybe the rich don't need to pass these standard tests like we do. But still, they're the winners in this money-oriented society that we have for us. They're doing something right. Something that's 'working out' for them. That something mayn't pass our judgment criteria because the syllabus is not the same. Maybe they get rewarded for a different set of skills like - lying, conniving, conspiring, being overtly greedy all the time etc etc...
i think the point is to question whether they have any of these skills at all or are they benefiting from generational wealth and capital
They don't need skills similar to other folks, they operate on a whole different level, where an entirely different set of skills are at play... :)
i understand what you are saying and that is precisely what i am questioning, what evidence do we have of their skills?
ummm yeah, they pass the test of inheritance. Born to wealth, they learn the art of pleasing authority figures and subsequently everyone around who wears the signs of high society. best way to sustain the status quo is not to offend, not to question, not to think, not to kill joy. Highway by Imtiaz Ali really stands out in these times, shows the superficiality of elite society.
true
I think white tiger does a good job as well!
This is very depressingly true, and the system is grossly rigged—very mediocre classmates of mine are making obscene amounts of money for no good reason other than having broken into the right Circles. So, the big C word is Capitalism, yes, but also Circles. And the big R word, the Refrain, always is—but what is the solution/alternative? I don’t know, does anyone:-)?
Wow, this comment is so well written and Abt the question what I think is: We all know deep down that elites or so-called role models are not always sincere and morally upright, but we have been so thoroughly brainwashed by the press and rewritten history that we don't want to see them negatively or if anyone turns out as one we romanticize becoming them because who doesn't want to experience the dopamine that comes with rebellion with the power & money? I beleive, if there is any answer for all this questions: critical thinking is must and "chetana" means consciousness is somthing we all should work on cuz this market is full of jerks who just wants to make money out the insecurities and fears.. as eg beauty industry ( it is so messed up). primarily holding onto hope and the idea that there is something good thing out there for them.
I highly recommend the book, Why The Poor Don't Kill Us by Manu Joseph.
Ah, yes.
I just finished Brain Rot (wonderful!) and immediately started on Manu Joseph's book. They intersect somewhat, but are both very interesting.
worth looking into its critique too: https://abhishekpisharody.substack.com/p/poverty-under-the-middle-class-gaze
Thanks for the link. I will read the piece.
I felt the book in the end justifies the billionaire class in some sense.
I lived in and out of Dehlee for about 50-55 years. In that period of time, I hung out with some very rich and powerful people. You know, wealth and opulence and power of a scale that made me wonder what was there in the well of their houses or farms, maybe a mint.
Many of them have dropped off the radar.
ByTheWay, the reference to Page 3? It started with the topless models on the Page 3 of the non-broad-sheet tabloid type newspapers in Vilayat.
How Page 3 became the aspirational for the rich, wealthy and powerful in India beats me.
💯. One more series that comes close to capturing the opportunism, connivance as well as absolute ineptness of the rich is Class. Streaming on Netflix. And directed by Ashim Ahluwalia. Would highly recommend if you haven’t seen it yet. :)
Will check out.
Good one Anurag. Funnily, I had the same thought when I was reading the emails - that they don't know how to write, which you took it magnificiently one step further to thinking. I loved this line which captures them in the best way - "grotesque beneficiaries of an unfair world."
Thanks Vineet.
A great read as always.
we really need to push back against such ideology that justifies such vast levels of income/wealth inequality. there is no such thing as an ethical billionaire.
there is NO such thing as an ethical billionaire.
Good one Anurag. I think the typos and incomplete sentences are also a signaling tool. Its its own language. The message is “I am too rushed and busy to write properly or correct my mistakes”. I can’t be bothered because I have to go kill a thousand villagers or poison some river. I am not some namby pamby thinker. I am a doer. Napoleon did not have time to form complete sentences. The other thing I see in the exchanges is the insecurities, to be part of a better club. Reminded of how Gupta, ex CEO of McKinsey was ensnared in an insider trading scandal because he wanted to fly private and not first class. The wheel never stops.
This analysis is brilliant. The observation about how rich elites outsource even basic thinking becuase it feels like work really exposes something crucial about wealth and laziness. I remmber working at a consulting firm and seeing how execs couldn't draft a single coherent email without their assistants. The self-help economy built on this myth of billionaire discipline is basically a scam that keeps people blaming themselves for structural inequality.
Your point about the moral mythology around wealth really stayed with me. We do attach virtue to success in ways that protect hierarchy.
I’m curious whether the issue is less laziness and more insulation — when leverage compounds, but so does distance from consequence. That shift seems psychologically profound.
such a nice read!
Curious to know if there was any usage of LLM or not?
Great perspective!
Now that you’ve put this thought across, I am just thinking out loud, - being from a middle-class family - I am conscious about my English and how I form my sentences; it becomes evidence for judgment, my social standing and
They can’t be bothered to form proper sentences because they just need the message sent out, it’s always an instruction or a remark. Maybe it’s because they were brought up to be understood by others, while we were brought up to be understanding of others. If that’s the case, the gaps are not just between our bank balances and assets; they’re between their soft skills and ours.
Another thing I’ve thought about is this: I’ve tried imagining these scenarios, but they are so gruesome that I can’t even let my mind wander without feeling physically ill. Still, I tried thinking about what goes on in their heads- curiosity out of boredom? To what extent can we push? To what extent can we break the rules? To what extent can our morals bend?
Ironically, almost child like wonder?
So don’t you think this is a tale as old as it gets? Are they all spoiled brats?
I think the most dangerous part isn’t that some wealthy people are lazy or bored. It’s that boredom plus insulation produces experimentation without consequence. When your mistakes don’t cost you socially, legally, or financially, morality becomes optional. For most people, ethics are reinforced by vulnerability. For the ultra-rich, vulnerability barely exists.
The evidence is clear:
concentrating billions in a few individuals hands creates depravity.
Excessive power warps people. They chase ever more extreme highs.