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. :)
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."
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.
Billionaires are so rich that any incident surrounding them will become news. They have to have a farce of good. The fact that people look upto them because of their richness show that material wealth matters. More so for people where lack of money can create problems.
The problem is that we hold the billionaires to be morally just. They are absolutely terrible people, they can do much more good for the people. However, problems like patriarchy, casteism, religious fundamentalism cuts across the class divide. These are issues that ring beyond the courtyards of inequality. They existed before the industrial revolution and continue to wreak havoc in today’s.
I fully support a lot of things that you have mentioned in this post. The rich after reaching a level of income bracket stop working and it does lead to boredom which again makes them go on slippery slope that makes corrupt and vicious. Idealism towards the rich elite even after knowing the heinous crimes they have done should not be encouraged or promoted. But the concept of discipline and hard work, shouldn’t that be appreciated ? Because isn’t it true that hard work and discipline does lead to success. Many billionaires right now did start from scratch with only an ambition and the will to work hard. So why the apprehension towards hard work and discipline ?
But doesn't it take significant amount of hardwork to reach to that point. Accumulation of wealth, power and fame may explain much of what we are seeing,Yes. But it feels reductive to conclude that there is no hard work, discipline, or intelligence involved in getting there. Especially for those who come from nothing.
And even if the claim that they worked hard is sometimes exaggerated or untrue, is the image that is being being “sold” that effort is required to move beyond one’s circumstances, really such a bad thing?
It pushes people to strive, improve their lives, and change their conditions, can it be dismissed so easily?
The rich exploiting the system ruthlessly to their own benifits is no reason for us to stay back and only crtique
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.
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. 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.
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.
The evidence is clear:
concentrating billions in a few individuals hands creates depravity.
Excessive power warps people. They chase ever more extreme highs.
socialism is the only normal politico-economic model of humanity. anything away from it is a regression.
Billionaires are so rich that any incident surrounding them will become news. They have to have a farce of good. The fact that people look upto them because of their richness show that material wealth matters. More so for people where lack of money can create problems.
The problem is that we hold the billionaires to be morally just. They are absolutely terrible people, they can do much more good for the people. However, problems like patriarchy, casteism, religious fundamentalism cuts across the class divide. These are issues that ring beyond the courtyards of inequality. They existed before the industrial revolution and continue to wreak havoc in today’s.
I fully support a lot of things that you have mentioned in this post. The rich after reaching a level of income bracket stop working and it does lead to boredom which again makes them go on slippery slope that makes corrupt and vicious. Idealism towards the rich elite even after knowing the heinous crimes they have done should not be encouraged or promoted. But the concept of discipline and hard work, shouldn’t that be appreciated ? Because isn’t it true that hard work and discipline does lead to success. Many billionaires right now did start from scratch with only an ambition and the will to work hard. So why the apprehension towards hard work and discipline ?
But doesn't it take significant amount of hardwork to reach to that point. Accumulation of wealth, power and fame may explain much of what we are seeing,Yes. But it feels reductive to conclude that there is no hard work, discipline, or intelligence involved in getting there. Especially for those who come from nothing.
And even if the claim that they worked hard is sometimes exaggerated or untrue, is the image that is being being “sold” that effort is required to move beyond one’s circumstances, really such a bad thing?
It pushes people to strive, improve their lives, and change their conditions, can it be dismissed so easily?
The rich exploiting the system ruthlessly to their own benifits is no reason for us to stay back and only crtique