Elitism, as it’s often presented, promises the allure of success, wealth, and prestige. The elite are revered and celebrated as the pinnacle of societal achievement. But here’s the stark reality: the true elite, the ones holding real power, don’t see people as part of their circle unless you meet certain criteria that are centuries old.
Even with all the wealth in the world, new money will never truly assimilate into the old guard unless it comes with lineage or inherited connections. The old-money elite are gatekeepers of more than just wealth—they hold a monopoly over culture, influence, and access.
It’s the deep social stratification that we’ve been conditioned to ignore or accept. Those who have climbed up or earned their wealth might get a seat at the dinner party, but there will always be a door between them and the core of the inner circle. The elite are not just wealthy—they are the keepers of access to power and opportunities, something that money alone can’t buy.
The Irony of Supporting Billionaires
Now, let’s take a hard look at the working class that champions billionaires, many of whom will never be in their shoes. It’s a bizarre form of self-deception—elevating individuals who have no interest in improving the lives of those who elevate them. The billionaire class doesn’t just accumulate wealth on their own; they do so by siphoning off the labor of others.
Billionaires aren’t self-made. The narrative of a “self-made” billionaire is just that—a narrative. Their success comes at the direct expense of others. Generational wealth built upon exploitative systems: slave labor, underpaid workers, prisoner labor, and a market that thrives on inequality.
Here’s the paradox: the very people defending these billionaires are often the ones most affected by the system. The working class—who continually fight for better wages, healthcare, and opportunities—are entrapped in a system that the billionaires control. Yet, instead of resisting, they defend the very people who benefit from their suffering.
The Relationship Between the Product and the Consumer
In a capitalist system, you are simultaneously the product and the consumer. You generate the wealth—whether through your labor, your data, your ideas, or your work. And yet, you remain locked out of true ownership or benefit from the value you create.
Your time, your effort, your skills are monetized, but only a fraction of the wealth generated returns to you. The rest is funneled upward to those who already hold economic and social capital. The billionaires profit from your consumption: your purchasing power, your attention, your participation in the system that serves them. And in turn, they control your ability to thrive.
When you’re both the product and the consumer, the system is rigged from the start. You serve as the engine driving the economy, yet you never fully see the fruits of your labor. Capitalism is designed to keep you dependent—on low wages, on consumer credit, on the belief that your hard work will one day lead to personal success, all while the true powers keep their wealth, power, and influence concentrated.
The Paradox of Elitism and The Hidden Cost of Defending It
The real danger of elitism isn’t just the social inequality it perpetuates; it’s the way it distorts reality. By aspiring to join a class that already has control over everything, individuals often fail to see that they are fighting for something that wasn’t designed for them—and they may never be allowed in.
Elitism isn’t just about wealth—it’s about access to power. Money, without access to power, will always be limited. Billionaires know this. That’s why they perpetuate a system where they control the means of production, the distribution of wealth, and the narrative.
The final twist in the story is that the very people who fight for elitism are often those who need to redefine their relationship with power. It’s not just about wealth—it’s about the exploitation of resources and people, and how those at the top maintain their status while everyone else continues to scramble for a piece of the pie.
In the end, it’s a hard truth: You will never own the means of production until you stop being the product of it.
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