The ‘Big Business’ Of Inequality

4/13/2020 by NPR Fresh Air

Episode: https://play.podtrac.com/npr-381444908/edge1.pod.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/npr/fa/2020/04/20200413_fa_fapodmon-5495d6ee-402a-43bd-a9dc-e2496cacd9c2.mp3?awCollectionId=381444908&awEpisodeId=833306833&aw_0_1st.cv=yes&orgId=1&aggIds=812054919&d=2892&p=381444908&story=833306833&t=podcast&e=833306833&size=46173782&ft=pod&f=381444908

Nelson Schwartz, author of ‘The Velvet Rope Economy,’ says special privileges for the super-rich are dividing America: “The result is less sympathy, less empathy and a sort of a harder-edge society.” Schwartz talks about private helicopter rides to the airport, concierge doctors, and elite college counseling — and their impact on our society. Schwartz writes about economics for the ‘New York Times.’

This is an interesting podcast that I was listening to last night. It kind of sucks that the wealthy can pay their way around so much of life’s inconveniences and pay for research that connects them with the very best in health care and other government services.

That said, I very little interest in cruise ships and airplanes not just because of the vigorously enforced class differences due to differences in price, but also because such environments seem super constraining, enclosed and regulated.

Who really wants to be forced on a schedule when your on vacation? Even if I had the money for constierege services I think I’d rather use it to invest, buy land and do things on my own time by my own rules.