[bballbackus]

This is due to one of my least favorite traits about reddit: the hivemind criminalizes the rich and powerful by defining them as naturally evil. I don't know how this mindset got started on reddit; I would love to find out. It seems to be their way of justifying being middle/lower class by saying the reason the rich/powerful succeed is due the rich/powerful not having a heart and gaming people of their money.

[Joakal]

It's called tall poppy syndrome.

[andrewcooke]

not really - tall poppy syndrome is when people of genuine merit are criticised. to apply that to the rich and powerful you have to also assume that merit is rewarded by wealth.

in other words: you're assuming that rich people are wonderful and that criticism is therefore unfair; others are sceptical that the wealth and privilege is justified and so feel that the criticsm is fair.

so the difference is political. labeling it "tall poppy syndrome" is a framing technique to "smuggle in" the assumption that wealth is deserved.

and to answer the question of "where it came from" - questioning the right to wealth is not a new idea. if you think it's something specific to reddit then you might consider learning more about alternative political viewpoints.