One phenomenon that social media has proven to the ordinary citizen is the hypocrisy of the elite.
It used to be that something or someone being described as “elite” was a high compliment. The Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) and First Scout Ranger Regiment of the Philippine Army are elite military units. They are highly trained, highly skilled, and often highly specialized. Elite used to mean the best choice of anything.
The Burj Al Arab in Dubai is an elite hotel considered the “world’s most luxurious hotel. Almost every aspect of the property is meant to evoke extreme decadence.” However, anyone willing to spend P75,000 per night can stay there.
Somewhere along the line, certain people—primarily politicians and celebrities—started thinking since they could afford to stay at places like the Burj Al Arab, they themselves were “elite.” Not only do the new elites have a few bucks to spend, but they also need to be on the front page just for good measure. Further, even being accomplished in their field of endeavor is not enough. To be a 21st century elite, it’s almost mandatory to be a go-to person for the media on almost every topic.
Being an “elite” has taken the idea of “a select person superior to the rest of a group” to a whole new level. Being the classmate of a high government official and being appointed to the board of a government-owned and -controlled corporation as a “pretty face” can make you an “instant-elite.” It is now an attitude that forms behavior rather than any particularly outstanding accomplishment. We have recently seen pictures of a genuine elite—by the old definition—waiting in line to be vaccinated just like everyone else.
The new elite posts on social media if anyone knows someone who is selling Covid-19 vaccines so that the family’s drivers and household helpers can be vaccinated. The idea that these employees should have to register and wait in line just like everyone else is not acceptable. After all, “I must do this to protect my family.” Falling in line is for the peasants.
Corporations can be elite. DoorDash, the US online food ordering company, advertised during the Super Bowl game that they were donating to support a worthwhile initiative. “For every order, we’ll donate $1 to Sesame Workshop.” Not long after the game, DoorDash announced that they had raised $1 million for this charitable effort. What they did not mention is that they spent $5.5 million to buy that ad slot.
Not only are the “New Elite” arrogant and self-important, but hypocrisy also runs deep.
The Toronto Sun on August 3, 2019: “Celebrities Fly Private Jets To Italian Resort To Ponder Climate Change. A gaggle of elite celebrity eco warriors jammed themselves into 114 private planes to get to the exclusive Italian resort on the island of Sicily.” Private jet passengers account for 10 times as much greenhouse-gas emissions as a commercial traveler. Just 1 percent of people cause 50 percent of global aviation emissions.
Forbes magazine’s Michael Shellenberger: “The hypocrisy of celebrities who moralize about climate change is a way of flaunting their special status. Hypocrisy is the ultimate power move. It is a way of demonstrating that one plays by a different set of rules from the ones adhered to by common people.”
The NGO—European Federation for Transport and Environment—proposes a ticket tax on private flights would raise €325 million a year if based on a system already approved in Switzerland. The hypocrisy will not stop. But at least the elite will be charged for it.