The Gilded Age 2.0

Location: Crimson Whiskey Bar (Either the downstairs whiskey bar, or main floor bar, TBD)

The purpose of Thinkers and Drinkers is to facilitate casual but meaningful and interesting conversations with other people in a face-to-face setting. The topics cover a wide variety of issues and are different for every meeting. While conversations may get heated at times, we ask that all members be respectful of each other and refrain from personal insults.

Topic: The Gilded Age 2.0
It was estimated by contemporary sources at the time that John D Rockefeller's wealth passed the $1 Billion in 1916, becoming the first Billionaire. This immense wealth was built from his firm, Standard Oil, which he grew from a small operation to one that eventually controlled 90% of the US oil refinery business. This occurred during a period many now refer to as "The Gilded Age". The Gilded Age was a time during the Industrial Revolution boom where unregulated capitalism and non-existent anti-trust laws allowed for the consolidation of immense wealth by individuals like Rockfella in Oil, Carnie in Steel, and JP Morgan in Finance. The age came to an end with progressives like Teddy Roosevelt coming to power, breaking up the big trusts, and instituting reforms to regulate industries and limit the influence corporations and the ultra-wealthy can have on politics.

Fast forward to 2026, and the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, is projected to become a Trillionaire (With a T) after his company SpaceX launches its IPO on June 12th. There are 16 other Americans who can be classified as "Centibillionaires" ($100 Billion), and this number has been increasing every year. Having such extreme wealth in the hands of a few gives credence to the notion that we are now living in the Gilded Age 2.0.

Questions to Consider:
1. Is it necessarily bad to have so many billionaires?
2. Are there lessons we can draw on from the first Gilded Age?
3. Will we see our own "Progressive" backlash against mega-corporations and the ultra-wealthy?