It’s Time to Talk About Billionaire Math
Let me tell you about the very rich. They own yachts that have yachts. They leave Earth just to feel something. They buy art they don’t like and tout books they don’t read and play God with things they don’t comprehend. Above all, they live by their own set of rules. There is a crude […]
In the world of the very rich, a peculiar logic governs their behavior. These billionaires possess yachts with yachts, buy art they don't appreciate, and even play with forces they don't understand. Their actions are guided by their own set of rules, which differ significantly from those that apply to the majority of people. This unique perspective stems from decades of deregulation, concentration, opportunism, and a certain level of corruption that has allowed a small group of individuals, primarily in Silicon Valley, to dominate a larger share of the economy and influence political processes to their advantage.
As the net worths of the world's wealthiest individuals soar, it becomes apparent that money and power have a symbiotic relationship, with each reinforcing the other. This dynamic is exemplified by the seemingly exponential growth of their wealth on charts and graphs. However, the deeper investigation into this phenomenon reveals that it is not just the structures that benefit the rich, but also the ability of wealth and influence to transcend the very constraints that govern the rest of society.
The omnipotence of the American oligarchy is particularly striking in how it allows them to disregard the usual rules and repercussions. For instance, if their products caused people distress, they would be removed from the market. If they displayed a Hitler salute, it would be seen as such. If their actions led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands, they would be shunned by society and possibly even CNBC. And if they failed to pay taxes, they might eventually face imprisonment.
This strange reality is what gives the American oligarchy its distinctive and off-putting nature. Despite the staggering wealth charts, the centibillionaires of Silicon Valley appear to have the freedom to pursue any project, regardless of how trivial or misguided, without facing any consequences or market corrections. In this realm of Billionaire Math, time and money take on a different meaning compared to the average person.
Laws seem more like suggestions, and deadlines are no longer binding. Welcome to the world of the ruling class, where the laws of Billionaire Math reign supreme.
Written by urgent.news from Mother Jones's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
