4 ms·

Of course there is. But the goalposts will move as soon as it makes a difference.

hugh4 11y ago
You say that like upper class people want to exclude lower class people just because. Instead I think they're just happier hanging around with people they can relate to.
- jazzyk 11y ago
  No, they want their kids to stay in the elite. Because elites, by definition, are small, they need to keep out everyone else. The goalposts are there just so that there is an illusion you or I can get in. And, on rare occasion we might - you'd better be super pretty/handsome so you can marry in. Another way to become part of the elite is through entrepreneurial success. I am surprised noone brought it up, given it is HN. Having said all that, why would one obsess about joining the elites. I am perfectly fine being (upper) middle class.
  - smtddr 11y ago
    >>Having said all that, why would one obsess about joining the elites. I am perfectly fine being (upper) middle class. Indeed, and Notch pretty much confirms what I already believe it to be like way up at the top: http://recode.net/2015/08/29/minecraft-billionaire-markus-persson-hates-being-a-billionaire/ http://recode.net/2015/08/29/minecraft-billionaire-markus-pe... I found it really insightful, especially the part where he tried to take care of people but they all ended up hating him regardless. Makes me wonder if a lot of rich people actually did care at one point but were typecast as villians no matter what they did and they eventually just give up.
    - jazzyk 11y ago
      I don't remember the exact numbers, but they got something like 300K or, so, he got 2.5 billion. They didn't think it was fair as they put a lot of work into it ( perfectly legal, though, he owned it)
      - smtddr 11y ago
        If I worked at a start-up that got sold and I walk away with even "just" 100K I'd be very happy. I wouldn't worry myself about the billions someone else got; especially when those people were part of the original founders carrying the core risk. Fun tech jobs, six figure salaries, flexible schedules, and at least in the San Francisco Bay Area working at a start-up is barely a risk if you're developing skills & connections for the next job. And then they complain they didn't get more than 300K when the company sold..... people need to broaden their perspective.

hugh4 11y ago

You say that like upper class people want to exclude lower class people just because. Instead I think they're just happier hanging around with people they can relate to.

jazzyk 11y ago
No, they want their kids to stay in the elite. Because elites, by definition, are small, they need to keep out everyone else. The goalposts are there just so that there is an illusion you or I can get in. And, on rare occasion we might - you'd better be super pretty/handsome so you can marry in. Another way to become part of the elite is through entrepreneurial success. I am surprised noone brought it up, given it is HN. Having said all that, why would one obsess about joining the elites. I am perfectly fine being (upper) middle class.
- smtddr 11y ago
  >>Having said all that, why would one obsess about joining the elites. I am perfectly fine being (upper) middle class. Indeed, and Notch pretty much confirms what I already believe it to be like way up at the top: http://recode.net/2015/08/29/minecraft-billionaire-markus-persson-hates-being-a-billionaire/ http://recode.net/2015/08/29/minecraft-billionaire-markus-pe... I found it really insightful, especially the part where he tried to take care of people but they all ended up hating him regardless. Makes me wonder if a lot of rich people actually did care at one point but were typecast as villians no matter what they did and they eventually just give up.
  - jazzyk 11y ago
    I don't remember the exact numbers, but they got something like 300K or, so, he got 2.5 billion. They didn't think it was fair as they put a lot of work into it ( perfectly legal, though, he owned it)
    - smtddr 11y ago
      If I worked at a start-up that got sold and I walk away with even "just" 100K I'd be very happy. I wouldn't worry myself about the billions someone else got; especially when those people were part of the original founders carrying the core risk. Fun tech jobs, six figure salaries, flexible schedules, and at least in the San Francisco Bay Area working at a start-up is barely a risk if you're developing skills & connections for the next job. And then they complain they didn't get more than 300K when the company sold..... people need to broaden their perspective.