Episode 58 - Entitlement & Affluenza Kid

Did you grow up with a gaming console and a ton of games? A cellphone? Ever borrow your folks’ car? Well, so did Affluenza Kid. So what’s the difference between his entitlement and ours?

As far back as there have been kings, commoners have known to mistrust spoiled rich princes. Our subject today is so spoiled-rich, he’s the Prince Joffrey of the upper-middle class. On The Re-Engineered You we’re talking about entitlement, and we’re asking the question; could Affluenza Kid’s defense team actually have been telling the truth? Is it really possible Ethan Couch, who killed four innocent people while drunk, high, and speeding, could be so wealthy and bratty he didn’t have a concept of morality or punishment? What about our own kids? Will getting them that brand-new iPhone be enough to tip them into Affluenza? What about when Grandma and Grandpa show up with a bag of toys and electronics? How much wealth and class insulation does it take to turn our little princes and princesses into cold-hearted bastards who smile for the camera during their manslaughter mugshots?

Then, finally, we’ll talk about “Moral Licensing” - something we all do. And we’ll attempt to reverse the damages of the Ethan Couches of the world by administering a vaccination against Affluenza. With a little cure backed by science, called Social Conscientiousness.

History:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Couch#Trial_and_sentencing
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/02/us/ethan-couch-affluenza-jail.html
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-history-of-hermits-in-gardens
https://www.news.com.au/finance/money/wealth/popular-instagram-account-shows-off-the-elite-lifestyles-of-worlds-richest-young-people/news-story/5047eb9ca4ccf1fd9d81917f239113b7
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east-africa/saudi-arabias-major-inward-outward-investments-2021-03-04/

Science:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ8Kq1wucsk
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/minds-business/feelings-of-entitlement-enhance-creativity.html#:~:text=But%20a%20recent%20study%20finds,surprisingly%20positive%20outcome%E2%80%94increased%20creativity.&text=Researchers%20have%20found%20that%20people,and%20engage%20in%20hostile%20behavior.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/who-is-more-likely-to-return-someone-elses-money-the-rich-or-the-poor-2017-03-14
https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahwatts/2019/02/14/our-brains-trick-us-into-trusting-rich-people-heres-how/?sh=9eb136b1e7ca