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Culture War Roundup for the week of April 3, 2023

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No, what I was doing was pointing out that you don't sound like a rich person, you sound like a cartoon parody of a rich person. I assumed that wasn't your intention.

Oh, I'm not particularly rich (nor have I even claimed to be, family wealth < 5M USD), I just have a high paying job and the skills to easily get another high paying job etc. Technically I don't need to work a day in my life if I moved back home (everything much much cheaper) but that life is the life of an insect, it really isn't worth living.

Besides lots and lots of Indian Brahmins are really poor (as in can't afford to eat 3 times a day poor). Caste and Wealth are not the same thing.