The Haves and Have-Yachts: Exploring the Ultrarich Lifestyle in America
Timing plays a crucial role in journalism, and Evan Osnos' latest collection of essays, "The Haves and Have-Yachts: Dispatches on the Ultrarich," is a timely addition to the conversation on extreme wealth in America. Originally published in the New Yorker magazine in 2017, these ten essays shed light on various aspects of the ultrarich lifestyle, from billionaire doomsday preppers to the opulent world of gigayachts.
Osnos was inspired to delve into the world of the ultrarich following the election of Donald Trump in 2016. The paradox of voters decrying elites while supporting a billionaire president intrigued him. The book offers a glimpse into the new Gilded Age, where inequality has widened, and a select few live in unimaginable luxury compared to the rest of the country.
One of the most astonishing revelations in the book is the emergence of gigayachts, luxury boats that can cost upwards of $500 million and stretch the length of a football field. The high-end yachting world, shrouded in secrecy, reveals a culture of excess and insatiable desire for more. Osnos' exploration of this world provides a unique perspective on the extravagance of the ultrarich.
Another compelling chapter delves into the world of doomsday preppers among the super-rich. These individuals are preparing for societal collapse by investing in underground bunkers and secure estates. Osnos uncovers a sense of gilded despair among Silicon Valley's elite, who fear losing control of the technologies they have created.
The essays in "The Haves and Have-Yachts" offer a nuanced look at the culture of excess and greed that permeates the lives of the ultrarich. Osnos' deep dive into this world provides valuable insights into the motivations and fears driving the wealthiest individuals in society. As we navigate the complexities of wealth and inequality in the modern era, Osnos' work serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the new Gilded Age.