yeah, I mean I can’t say I consider an oil exec picking new places to exploit to be on the same level as the local car salesperson. Still, the question was ultimately about socialists’ positions on middle class insurance salesmen as a category.

at most, such things are an expression of frustration and desperation. there only resistance is organized resistance. also you have to build the alternative you want to see, otherwise it’s just destruction

we are all forced to do unethical jobs to survive because capitalism itself is unethical

preppy, Ivy League, business-casual style

these aesthetics come from early & mid 20th century style worn by wealthy “aristocratic” (not literally, they weren’t nobles) American families. they rode horses, played tennis, rugby, and polo, wore school uniforms, etc. and their clothing reflected that.

that style was pushed into the mass market by Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilifiger, and other brands. this meant everyone could afford those aesthetics. the old cars used to be much more expensive because they were imported and hand made, but modern production and shipping has changed that.

rich people now differentiate themselves in other ways.

Google maps for navigation in unfamiliar places.

i really want to switch to OSM apps (and I have comaps) but (1) it’s not nearly as good at understanding addresses (e.g. “123 first avenue” when it has my gps coords instead of “cityname, First avenue 123 zipcode”) and (2) doesn’t have nearly as many businesses mapped (e.g. i want to type in “Joe’s Restaurant” instead of the address bc i haven’t memorized it)