The Common Thread Blog

The Great Divide: How the Elite Are Playing Us All (and How to See Through It)

February 14, 2025

Ever feel like things are… off? Like everyone's arguing all the time, but about stuff that doesn't really fix your problems? Like you're working harder and harder, but still just barely getting by? And meanwhile, you see these tech billionaires and Wall Street types just raking it in?

You're not crazy. There's a system at play, and it's designed to keep things exactly as they are – with a tiny group at the top holding most of the power and money. And they're doing it by playing us against each other and making us think the things that *really* matter are totally different for "our side" versus "their side."

Think of it like this: Imagine a playground. A few really rich and powerful kids (we'll call them "the Elite") own the playground equipment – the swings, the slides, even the ground itself (okay, maybe that's a bit much, but you get the idea). The rest of us are just trying to have a little fun and maybe get ahead.

How do the Elite stay in charge of the playground? They use a few sneaky tricks:

1. The "Platform" Game: Owning the Megaphones (and the Money Machines)

   Think about where you get your information, where you connect with people, where you buy stuff online. Chances are, it's through a "platform" – Facebook, Google, Amazon, even the news you read online. These platforms are HUGE, and they're mostly owned by a handful of mega-rich people and companies.

   • They Control What You See (and Think): These platforms use algorithms (fancy computer rules) to decide what you see. They can subtly push certain stories, opinions, and even products in front of you. Think about how your social media feed seems to show you more and more extreme stuff. It's not just you! These algorithms are designed to keep you engaged, even if it means showing you things that make you angry or divided.
   • They Make Money Off Everything: Every click, every purchase, every bit of your data – it all makes money for these platforms. And who owns those platforms? The Elite. They've built these incredible money-making machines, and we're all contributing to them every day, often without even realizing it.
2. The Stock Market: The Rich Get Richer (Duh)

   You hear about the stock market all the time, right? It's supposed to be about companies growing and people investing. But for most of us, it feels like a distant game. For the Elite, it's their personal ATM.

   • They Own Most of the Stocks: Guess who owns the vast majority of stocks? Yup, the Elite. When the stock market goes up (and it tends to go up over time), their wealth explodes. Meanwhile, your wages might be stuck, and your savings are probably tiny compared to theirs.
   • "Shareholder Value" Above All Else: The whole system is set up to prioritize "shareholder value." Sounds fancy, but it basically means companies are pressured to make profits for their shareholders (mostly the Elite) *above* everything else – including fair wages for workers, environmental protection, or even ethical behavior. This is why you see companies cutting corners, laying off workers, and squeezing every penny they can – it makes the stock price go up, and the Elite get richer.
3. The "Divide and Conquer" Playbook: Making Us Fight Each Other

   This is where it gets really sneaky. The Elite know that if we all realized we have a lot in common – like wanting decent jobs, affordable healthcare, and a fair shot – we might actually demand change. So, they actively work to divide us.

   • Lobbying BOTH Sides: Here's the crazy part: the Elite don't just donate to one political party. They donate to *both*. Why? Because they want to influence *everyone* in power. It's like betting on both horses in a race – they win no matter who gets elected.
   • Manufacturing "Culture Wars": Think about all the hot-button issues that dominate the news and social media: abortion, guns, race, gender. These are often framed as HUGE, fundamental differences between "us" and "them." And yes, these issues are important, but the Elite use them to distract us from the economic issues that *actually* affect most of us. They want us arguing about these things while they keep raking in the cash.
   • Extreme Narratives and "The Other Side is Crazy!": Ever notice how everything online is so extreme? "The left is destroying America!" "The right is full of hate!" This constant barrage of extreme narratives makes us see the "other side" as completely unreasonable and even evil. It makes it impossible to find common ground or work together on solutions. And guess who benefits from this division? Yep, the Elite.

Why Tech and Finance Get the Gold Star (and We Get the Short End of the Stick):

The Elite have also created a narrative that tech and finance are the most important, prestigious, and "innovative" industries. They pump up these industries to make people think that working in them is the ultimate goal, the peak of success.

• Pride and Accomplishment... for Them: This prestige makes people working in these industries feel important and successful, even if the system itself is rigged. It creates a sense of loyalty and discourages questioning the status quo. "I'm building the future!" sounds a lot better than "I'm helping rich people get richer," even if the reality is closer to the latter.
• Ignoring the Damage: Meanwhile, the real economy – the one that makes things, grows food, cares for people, and keeps our communities running – is often undervalued and underpaid. The focus is all on the "glamorous" tech and finance sectors, while essential workers and everyday people struggle.

So, What Can We Do?

It sounds depressing, right? But understanding how the game is played is the first step to changing it. Here are a few things we can do:

• See Through the Divide: Recognize when you're being fed extreme narratives designed to make you angry and divided. Ask yourself: who benefits from this division?
• Focus on Shared Economic Interests: Remember that most of us, regardless of our political views, want similar things: good jobs, affordable healthcare, decent education, a healthy planet. Focus on these shared goals.
• Question the Platforms: Be critical of the information you see online. Understand that algorithms are shaping your reality. Seek out diverse sources of information.
• Support Real Economy Businesses and Workers: Value the people who provide essential services and create real goods. Think about where you spend your money and who you support.
• Demand Accountability: Hold politicians accountable to *all* of us, not just the wealthy and powerful. Demand campaign finance reform and regulations on big tech and finance.

It's not going to be easy, but we're not powerless. By understanding how the Elite are playing the game, we can start to change the rules and build a playground that's fair for everyone, not just the kids who already own all the best toys.