The Ruffian James Marriott on Britain's Elites
11 snips
Apr 9, 2025 
In this engaging conversation, James Marriott, a columnist for The Times known for his insights on British culture, explores the intricacies of the British elites. He dives into themes from the book *Born To Rule*, discussing how today's elites blend traditional status symbols with cultural relatability. The conversation examines the evolving landscape of elitism, highlighting how art reflects elite politics and moral signaling. Marriott also critiques the rise of 'woke' ideologies as status symbols among younger elites, shedding light on the intersection of wealth, culture, and identity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Elite Embarrassment
- A former senior law firm partner, interviewed in his expensive Bloomsbury house, got offended when asked if he was elite.
- Despite obvious wealth, he insisted he wasn't elite, highlighting elites' embarrassment about their status.
Ordinariness as Status Symbol
- Today's elites try to appear ordinary, creating a "symbolic market for ordinariness."
- They downplay their status by emphasizing mundane interests like "walking the dog" in Who's Who entries.
Cultural Signaling and Status
- Elites use culture to signal status; this has shifted over time.
- As the traditional aristocracy declined, highbrow culture became a new way to differentiate.
