I interact with plenty of patriots and campaigners. Many have quite modest backgrounds in terms of education and employment. I notice how they are talked down to by members of the professional establishment.
I got my dose of privilege (scholarship to a top London private school, Oxford, consulted to board level at global telcos, industry advisory board member, invites to private retreats). It just doesn’t enter my head that I should be intimidated by claimed authority and status.
Here’s the rub: having peeked behind the curtain of the tech elite and social establishment I know that their notable quality is ruthless pursuit of self-interest. It’s literally a confidence trick; ordinary people believe there must be some substance to the illusion of superiority.
The whole point of getting entry was to know it was meaningless to real worth — and hence no longer be fooled by the status game. Now I wear a hoodie and hang out with deplorables full time. A way better life!
I walked away from a doctorate during this. Seemed irrelevant.