[f17]

Her portrayal of the wealthy was downright kind (which makes sense, because at a party you won't really get to know them) compared to the actual behavior of such people.

I've worked for and with them. Sure, a few of them are decent people, just like anyone else--and a bit embarrassed by the wealth they have. Usually, they try to get away from it--they have a desire to prove themselves, so they go into academia or the military or seminary and try to reinvent themselves, hiding their origins entirely. (Fred Trump, who became a pilot, is another example.) That might be 20 percent, the ones who deliberately leave the world of the wealthy, the world of unearned opportunity, the same way poors leave small towns in which there is no opportunity. The other 80 percent, the ones who like being in that sphere, are depraved fucking ghouls, and there are really no exceptions because their world is itself ghoulish.

[DiggyJohnson]

> I’ve worked with and for them

That is just one very narrow window into an entire class of people. Do you can’t any of them your friend? Or your rival? Or family? You’re magnifying a single type of relationship into a general description of a class of people.

It would be like writing three paragraphs about Hispanics based on the many taco trucks you frequent.

[f17]

Do you know how offensive it is to compare an ethnic group (in fact, numerous ethnic groups) to the ultrarich hyperconsumptive ghouls who run the world?

People can choose not to be ultrarich. People can choose not to be ghouls. People who get the opportunity to run the world can either decline or step up and actually do a good job, unlike the shitbags currently in charge.

To make a comparison between (a) a group defined by ancestry and linguistic heritage, and (b) a group in which a person must deliberately choose membership, and must commit harmful acts in order to remain a part... is just insane.

[perpetuummobile]

You’re just asserting your conclusion without any logical elements. I don’t find this appeal to emotion and angry outburst persuasive.

[DiggyJohnson]

I know it can’t be that offensive because I’m not exactly in the ultarich group and I’m comfortable extending a bit of cognitive empathy their way.

The onus is on you to explain why certain groups of people cannot be analyzed like another group of people. And why different standards of analysis should apply to different groups.

[seibelj]

I know a lot of self made wealthy and it’s all about building businesses and investing in risky things. That takes a lot of talent and effort.

There is a different group of born wealthy, but they aren’t building new businesses.