NPR's Book of the Day Evan Osnos' 'The Haves and Have-Yachts' is a book of essays about the new Gilded Age
Jun 19, 2025
The discussion dives into Evan Osnos' exploration of the ultra-wealthy, highlighting their extravagant lifestyles represented by superyachts and private pop star performances. Listeners learn about the stark economic disparities and status anxiety faced by billionaires, alongside their paradoxical fears of societal collapse. The podcast also reflects on the cultural changes surrounding wealth and the looming threat of civil unrest, drawing parallels to the historical Gilded Age.
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Concrete Wealth of Billionaires
- The book makes concrete the abstract scale and lifestyle of the ultra-rich in the new Gilded Age.
- Billionaires' net worth has more than doubled over the last eight years, increasing inequality significantly.
Pop Stars at Kids' Parties
- Rapper Flo Rida performs at private birthday parties and bar mitzvahs for wealthy kids, showing a shift in cultural consumption.
- This represents how the ultra-rich now bring pop stars to them instead of buying expensive tickets.
Ambivalence Toward Wealth
- Donald Trump's election revealed Americans' ambivalent feelings toward wealth and elites.
- Many resent billionaires but also aspire to become billionaires themselves, reflecting complex cultural attitudes toward money.
