#76: Luxury Beliefs and the Wealthy: Rich, Privileged, and “Friend of the Oppressed”

Intellectual Freedom Podcast

I recently heard a story about a wealthy student on campus. He got busted parking in a handicap-accessible parking spot. His rationale was, ”It‘s not illegal for me to park in handicap spaces. It only costs $250 if I get caught. I‘d rather pay the money and not deal with the rain today.” My first thought when I head this is how despicable. There has always been a segment of the wealthy and affluent who believe in their superiority over the rest of society. It most often manifests itself in the purchase and display of luxury goods--cars, designer clothes, expensive mansions, or extravagant vacation homes. Luxury beliefs are different. They are more dangerous. For those unfamiliar with the term, luxury beliefs are ideas and opinions that confer status on the rich at minimal cost. But these beliefs have the potential to wreak havoc on the lower class.This podcast discusses four luxury beliefs the affluent and wealthy push out in their public lives and social media.Beliefs are the new status symbol of the affluent. The beauty for the wealthy is they don’t have to act on those beliefs. They only have to signal their acceptance. Luxury beliefs are perfect for social media. With little energy or effort, the affluent can rage against trendy social ills. They gain street cred with no risk.

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