Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Survivor

Gideon Rachman, Financial Times:

Wealth and privilege has made babies of us all. Of course I should be able to get anywhere in the world in 24 hours! There is always a flight out. There is no logistical problem that cannot be solved with a mixture of ingenuity and money. Yet the volcano seemed strangely indifferent to the fact that I have a large credit limit on my Visa card. Its effects are surprisingly democratic.

Recall the anxiety that was produced in the course of our nation's "health care debate," when it was suggested that people might have to "wait in line" as the government "rationed" care. It is an established principle in American life that money shortens every line; but even the poorest citizen can take pride in it while they wait!

The requirements of human survival can impose a burden on "wealth and privilege" in ways not unlike a volcano at its disruptive best. The only difference is that the volcano enjoys greater consideration.

4 comments:

romerocker said...

..."demands" great consideration.

romerocker said...

greater

JRB said...

Very true. Thanks.

Duncan Mitchel said...

Well, you can't waterboard a volcano. Not yet, anyway.