> They mingle in groups of the top 5%, and feel quite 'middle' there. I agree. I'd like to propose a thought experiment to anyone listening: how far back in yo

> They mingle in groups of the top 5%, and feel quite 'middle' there. I agree. I'd like to propose a thought experiment to anyone listening: how far back in your personal history do you have to go before you find a friend or a close acquaintance that doesn't share a similar life status as you? For me, I have to go back to my friends before grammar school to find anyone where our life paths have diverged so strongly. If success if the norm, then relative success can make you feel middle-classed vis a vi your friends, even when you most certainly are not.