[readingnews]

I have to agree with you from my angle... I read this and immediately though to myself, what kind of financial position must I be in to wake up and decide "I feel like doing "x", I will go do "x" today?". I will admit to you, it is a financial decision that to a person of my means is a total pipe dream. I consider myself middle class, I have advanced degrees and work in a scientific field. There is no way, none whatsoever, that I could wake up tomorrow and decide to "go do what I feel like". Nope, I would have to take time off, which would garner lost wages, which would be impossible.

[ClumsyPilot]

"I consider myself middle class, I have advanced degrees and work in a scientific field"

Maybe what we understand as middle class is actually just a well-fed pleb.

Real middle class probably should have control of their day at least, so we have almost no middle class.

[chii]

> Maybe what we understand as middle class is actually just a well-fed pleb.

I think that has always been the case - the middle class is what civilization rests on for productivity and creation of goods and services. They are the most exploited bunch, but some smart ones have managed to save and invest enough to escape that middle class, and into the financially independent class (which may be previously called the landed gentry).