Goal

Today, I will discuss why you should not live like the elites.

Table of Contents

Who are the Elites?

The elites | people at a party

The elites do not live the same lives as you do. You do not have access to the resources they do.

“As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.” – H.L. Mencken

I describe the elites as members of society with significant social, economic, and cultural influence. The elites are different from the ruling classes. The ruling classes rule: their power derives from the law, legal sanctions, and the force of the state. The elites influence: their power derives from popularity, connections, and economic wealth.

Examples of the elite include celebrities, CEOs, athletes, and church leaders. Not everyone within the upper class is bad. Similarly, not every politician is bad. However, most elites are corrupt, and their influence promotes the worst within people.

Influence, Elitism, and Poor Behaviors

The privileged class exercises their power over the mobs, ruling classes, and other elites in various ways. For example, a famous actor will be popular in many people’s eyes and use that popularity to sway public opinion. Whereas a quiet, unseen CEO will use his money to garner favorable regulations from the ruling classes.

The elites live different lives than the rest of us. These individuals have money, access to influential people, and reputations that can shield them from life’s many struggles. Divorces, casual sex, stupid investments, abusive relationships, and other horrible things can be easily weathered by those within the elite class.

Those with influence can live recklessly because their money, fame, and success will protect them from financial, emotional, and even legal blowback.

The Elites Convince You Their Lives Are Good

wealth | man with a lot of money

Vice is vice, no matter who does it. Being famous, influential, or powerful does not mean iniquities will not tarnish your mind, destroy your relationships, and eat away at your soul.

The upper class will argue their divorces, drug abuse, and other poor behavior is enriching, rewarding, or just “part of growing.”

Why do they do this? Because no one celebrates what is inherently wrong. Humans recoil at what is evil, and the average person cannot morally justify celebrating or participating in what hurts themselves and others.

Thus, we have to redefine these objectively bad things as good. By redefining our iniquities, we justify our celebration of them. This process is what the elites do. They sell objectively wrong acts, such as divorce and drug abuse, as “fun,” “enriching,” and “enlightening.”

Why do they do this? Because they get to enjoy what is exciting but fleeting. Thus, they manipulate your envy and desire for what they have. Who doesn’t want to abuse drugs or indulge in casual sex? The upper class can, and they make you jealous of their “freedom” and loose lifestyles.

You Are Not The Elite

“Incestuous, homogeneous fiefdoms of self-proclaimed expertise are always rank-closing and mutually self-defending, above all else.” – Glenn Greenwald

With their money, fame, and influence, the ruling classes can weather the storms of bad decisions. Of course, a billionaire can casually get a divorce: he has money and can pay for therapy for his broken children. But you and I can’t do that. Thus, the pressure is on for us to remain stable.

Yes, an athlete, a genetic outlier, can eat processed foods and still look great. But you and I are average, and such a diet destroys us. Thus, we must watch what we eat.

I know this will seem “unfair,” but that is life. We do not possess the resources and influences that the upper classes do. Thus, when they sell you their lavish lifestyle of sex tapes, drugs, and poor financial decisions, you must remember you are not them.

You don’t have a team to monitor your mental health, run your social media account, or give you tips on PR. You don’t have an excellent lawyer to help you work through foolish legal decisions you’ve made. You don’t have scores of fans willing to defend your stupid behavior because you starred in a few movies.

When you fuck up, you fuck up. And you are left, alone, with the consequences of your actions.

Do not buy into the elites’ narratives. You are not one of them, and you cannot live your life full of vice and bad decisions.

Live Virtuously

strong individuals | woman on cliff

The world needs you. Not as another strung-out addict, but as a strong individual who pursues the best version of yourself.

Vice affects everyone. When we allow ourselves to be ruled by iniquities, we and those around us suffer. This is a reality of life.

The upper classes can mask the consequences of their actions. They have the influence, physical power, economic wealth, and popularity to prevent repercussions. Of course, they appear happy after a divorce: they have the best PR teams and therapists. Of course, they appear healthy after a life of partying and drugs: they have coaches, photographers, and media managers. Of course, they appear calm and collected despite how terribly they treat their employees: they are popular and untouchable.

You have none of these things. Thus, you have to be on your best behavior and always focused on virtue. Your vice will not save you, and you cannot protect yourself from the consequences of bad decisions.

But the elites will suffer as well. They will grow old, their legacies will be ruined, and they will have helped no one. If you pursue the path of virtue, you will make the world a better place. Therefore, do not replace your responsibilities with envy. Focus on yourself and your communities, and you will have greater riches than whatever the elites have.

Actionables

“Our republic has never been more hierarchical, more riven by class, more managed by an elite than it is today.” – Josh Hawley

  1. How do you feel about the upper classes? Do you love them? Hate them? Why?
  2. Would you want to be a part of the upper classes? What would you have to sacrifice to reach the top?
  3. What’s a vice that you have? How does that vice affect you and your loved ones?

Please remember that it’s important to do the actionables. You’re not on this earth to simply read but to do. To become an individual, you must act more than you consume.

*Image credit to Unsplash.