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.
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. 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."
💯. 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. 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.
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.
Their media presence definitely feeds into that image. Listening to Jeff or Elon talk on a podcast, it’s clear their minds work differently. They really know how to sell their vision and make you believe that everything they’re doing is for the benefit of humanity."
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.
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?
Off topic but I've somehow never read the word "mayn't" before this 😭
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!
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.
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.
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. 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.
💯. 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.
A great read as always.
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.
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.
Their media presence definitely feeds into that image. Listening to Jeff or Elon talk on a podcast, it’s clear their minds work differently. They really know how to sell their vision and make you believe that everything they’re doing is for the benefit of humanity."
The Epstein files reminds me of Salo and how it is probably happening in real time right now
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?