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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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High-End Media Strikes Back at 'Luxury Bashing'

High-end media strikes back at mass-market press

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(Newser) – Tired of watching its affluent readership attacked, upscale media outfits are striking back at their mainstream press brethren, Johnnie Roberts writes in Newsweek. Brett Andersen, editor of the high-end monthly Robb Report, had led the charge by blasting the “demonization of the wealthy and the industries that cater to them,” citing their economic, cultural, and intellectual contributions to society.

Among cash-strapped victims of the recession, “luxury bashing” has prevailed across the media landscape, Andersen charges: “All of the wealthy get lumped in with Madoff." One magazine expert praises Robb Report for defending the well-healed 3%, saying, "It takes guts in this day and age. But that's their bread and butter." Adds Roberts: "So you really can’t excuse the magazine for spreading it on thick.”

The current economic distress is exposing class tensions.
The current economic distress is exposing class tensions.   (Shutter Stock)
The current economic distress is exposing class tensions.
The current economic distress is exposing class tensions.   (Shutter Stock)
A Wall Street banker pauses for a chat on his cell phone.
A Wall Street banker pauses for a chat on his cell phone.   (Shutterstock)
Wealthy women schmooze with a few drinks.
Wealthy women schmooze with a few drinks.   (Shutterstock)
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There's a sense that coverage in many of the mainstream news outlets wasn't quite balanced. All of the wealthy get lumped in with Madoff. Anyone getting a bonus on Wall Street is regarded as dishonest. - Brett Andersen, the Robb Report

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20 comments
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paul123
Jun 13, 09 7:20 PM CDT
Class envy and bashing of the wealthy has become a every day occurance. The demonization of hard work and effort is the excepted norm these days. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-7
IN RESPONSE:
JohnSawyer
Jun 13, 09 7:46 PM CDT
The number of people demonizing hard work is so tiny as to be insignificant. People who bash the wealthy aren't bashing them for working hard--they're bashing their frequent lack of actual work to make the money they have, and their ability to prevent people of average income from having proper medical coverage, etc., by influencing Congress, etc. Wealth-bashers typically are hard workers who don't see their hard work met with rewards equal to their work, compared to the rewards given to "industry leaders" who just know how to make money by running a company into the ground.
Vote up! Vote down!
+12
IN RESPONSE:
JonmarkP
Jun 13, 09 7:51 PM CDT
Surely you don't believe hard work and effort are the sources of today's wealth? That's so sweetly naive of you. Now take your pills, it's almost time for Rush.
Vote up! Vote down!
+5
IN RESPONSE:
paul123
Jun 13, 09 8:30 PM CDT
@Johnsawyer, reguardless of how the people have made money, as long as it's legal and honest, it's really none of our business. Whether they made it from their own blood and sweat, or through the stock market, it's all good honest income. If it's made through having a business that makes a profit, such as a local store or shop, self owned franchise business, or whatever, it's really none of our business, and the trend these days is to demoninze those who have done well. @JohnmarP: Keep your prejudices to yourself. Surely I DO believe hard work and effort ar the source of MUCH of today's wealth. Yes, some people have it handed to them, but most people work and earn it. Now, go back to your microbus and drive off to your big business protests.
Vote up! Vote down!
-3
IN RESPONSE:
shonangreg
Jun 13, 09 9:45 PM CDT
"...excepted norm"? That is nearly an oxymoron. I think you mean "accepted norm", Paul.
Vote up! Vote down!
+2

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