Premise 1: Humans, being social, like to be accepted in society

Premise 2: Individuals build the society. However, not everyone gets an equal say. It’s the high worth, influential components of society that determine the rules.

Premise 3: Individuals who became high worth got there as a part of the industrial revolution. They built factories for basic human utilities and goods.

Yes, I’m referring to the derogatory noun

I wake up, check my phone, look at some ads telling me to buy things that will make me happy. On the way to work, I find more ads reinforcing that meme: Acceptance requires me to buy this.

At work, Patrick shows off his brand new convertible Audi. I gawk over it. I don’t know if it’s bought on credit or with cash, but that doesn’t matter, right? Because that Audi is right in front of me. I can feel it — Patrick is rising through the ranks. Am I still stuck where I was a few years ago?

I did get a few raises, keeping pace with inflation.

That’s good enough, right?

That gives me the license to spend that extra money, right?

I earned that through sheer hard work, right?

How else can I show you that I earn well?

How else can I muster favour with the people that matter?

How else can I maintain my status?

This is the way. Everyone thinks this way. Everyone’s been saying this. Everyone’s expected to follow this path. Everyone’s been drinking the Kool-Aid.