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by task_queue 4054 days ago
The thing about wealth transfer is it doesn't depend on genes at all.

I'm sure there are literal lapdogs endowed with more net worth and power than I have by their owners.

edit: I should clarify that wealth is not correlated with gene quality or fitness, but it may follow familial/social/emotional connections of the wealthy that seem to point to a "good lineage". Case in point: royal families

1 comments

You misunderstand, I'm saying the traits that allow one to succeed (e.g. intelligence) can be inherited and correlate with the accrual of wealth. Though you are absolutely correct that social connections to other wealthy people create new opportunities as well.

Inheritance, assuming the families have on average more than one child in each generation and the split is even, dilutes a family's fortunes over time. It would be correct to point out that the rules of some dynasties take this into account (head vs. branch families) and prevent this.