Tom wrote:It’s tough to predict which volume of the forthcoming 7-volume A Reasonable Leap into the Light will contain the class president election story.
For those who are stumped, the answer follow below.
As for the story about the guy who worked for Dad's construction company, wow. Thorstein Veblen said that evidence of leisure manifests not just in accumulating useless things, but impractical intellectual pursuits of "refinements" such as learning dead languages. The goal of the leisure class, the upper crust of society that does things like, travel constantly and take in cultural events, defines itself against people who can't afford to do these things for one, but all in all, by being as useless as possible. Any practical knowledge could imply a need to work.
In this case, it's not just the pursuit, but the shameless bragging about the pursuit. "Oh my, my auto has a rattle, I'd better bring it to my mechanic forthright! That man was born dirt poor and has had to learn many skills just to afford to eat! Look at me, born rich and smart, I could learn his trades if I wanted to, but I have no need. Better to put my wits toward good manners, music appreciation, and knowledge of foreign lands so people will know that I was born with it all, unlike my mechanic!"
But it's rare to see a case so by-the-book in modern times. Remember, the book was written at the turn of the century, the
Nineteenth Century. Today, status symbols are no less important than back then, but the symbols themselves aren't as cut and dry. A big house and a nice car are obvious acquisitions but then, look at Musk. And a person doesn't have to be portly and soft. Rich people might work out constantly and get tans, or even become vegetarians. Their cultural interests might only be with popular culture. They might dress like slobs on purpose just to shock people that they are actually rich. Yet, here is a person who sticks with the old canon. Fine dining. Travel. Going to the theater to watch plays. Listening to chamber music. Getting pictures taken wearing a suit. Having more than one office. Pedantic on grammar, especially in brushes with the underclass. What's next, a horse and carriage?
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The answer:
Volumes I, II, III, V, VI, VII, IV