I work with a LOT of highly educated folks. Many of whom are very affluent.
That being said here's some things I've learned, being one of the few non-college educated people at my place of employment:
1. Some of the most ugly, petty, arrogant and close minded people are ones that perceive themselves as educated and affluent. Many have very high level degrees, and are paid quite handsomely.
2. Some of the most kind, considerate, patient and understanding folks are also highly educated and affluent. (Note #1)
3. Intelligence and Education are not the same thing.
4. Affluence is quickly lost, when one's intelligence is not on par with one's education.
5. Money does not equate to affluence or influence. Much like leadership has very little to do with status or position.
6. Character, integrity and honesty are infinitely more respected, admired and appreciated than education, position or salary.
7. A higher education helps open doors, but the doors are never locked to those who can figure out which keys go to which doors.
8. Power comes in many forms, and not all of them require education, position of money to obtain or use. Power does require intelligence, maturity and perspective to use effectively and wisely.
9. The higher you move up, the less control you actually have.
10. Never, ever, ever lose appreciation for those that do the menial tasks (janitors, clerks, technicians, facilities, etc). They are the ones that keep the machine moving. The ones that all to often become fixtures of the environment in many peoples minds. They may not know which fork goes with what course, understand the nuanced differences between particle physics and chemical physics, or be able to understand orbital decay and it's impact on the mission profile, but they often work a hard and thankless job. And ultimately, its those same folks that will likely be the ones that pull your ass out of the fire when everything goes pear shaped. Be kind, be generous, be sociable, take the time to talk and learn about them. While you may see the broader picture, privy to details they may not know or understand, their view is just as important. ...Because they know (intimately) their piece of the puzzle far better than you ever will, and you'd do well to heed their advice and/or warnings.
At any rate...I'm waxing poetic and felt the need to vent...carry on.
Someone needs to tell that to all the white hippies here in SoCal... (sarcasm)
