[charlesdm]

Very true. An extreme example: as someone who knows someone who is part of the aristocracy, it is mind blowing how some of these families have held onto wealth generated from massive plots of land they acquired in the 12th century (or earlier).

BUT: there has never been an easier time in history for someone to make money on their own.

[dpark]

Yep. Competent aristocratic families seem to mostly maintain existing wealth. You don't need to earn when you have wealth to support your family for generations hence. You just need to not be incompetent.

Edit: I fully agree that it's easier than ever to build wealth from limited means.

[charlesdm]

Yep, and that's what I love about software. If you build and sell something on your own, pretty much everything is profit. You don't have that in many industries.