re: the Peak of Civilization period of modernity

Lacking is the old communitarian support structures. Here’s why the lack is not recognized:

The thriving-affluent-elite 10% are supported by an amazingly advanced, competent, satisfactory infrastructure of institutions and technologies. In the cosmopolitan regions (including ours: NY-NJ-PA) the medical centers, the schools and universities, the hotels and restaurants are very fine. So the thriving-elite are fine. They set the cultural patterns and standards. They have no reason to be preoccupied with any lack or to broadcast any major critique.

There’s an additional 50% who are middle-class, semi-affluent … recognized in a general way as ownership of some assets, either a house or a significant nest-egg. Their schools are not bad, they live close enough to the medical centers, they partake of the luxuries of the vacations, restaurants, entertainment enough as to feel that their standard of living is pretty high, not all so lagging relative to the elites. Their focus is not on “something lacking” but rather on clinging to, husbanding, taking pride in their modest assets and achievements.

Our society makes the rest just feel as if their disadvantages and lacks and absences derive from their own deficiencies or identities or bad luck. Life seems to be pretty good for many, so their thoughts don’t go toward systemic problems.