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Friday, November 30, 2018

A 21st Century American Caste System

The caste system that evolved in India millennia ago is one of the world's oldest forms of social stratification. The book Winners Take All posits a new, American-based but worldwide, caste system.  The book suggests that uber-wealthy individuals like Jeff Bazos and Mark Zuckerberg offer technology as a panacea or elixir - almost a modern snake-oil.

Trouble is, many folks lack either the financial resources, or simply the opportunity, to take full advantage of the latest technologies - particularly information technologies.  An individual might, for example, be able to afford a high-end cell phone, but not understand what a gig is, or know how to incorporate that concept into day-to-day activities.

Ergo, such a person would, in effect if not by intent, be trapped at a level of participation in our economy and society that severely constrains that individual's ability to make lateral or vertical moves.

I. e., a modern American caste system ...

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