Arguably. Things have gotten much worse since then. However, I think the problem of decadence existed among the elites since forever. The Industrial Revolution only made our surpluses so extreme that decadence could become a societal feature, rather than an upper class one.
I'm not sure exactly when it started but participation trophies definitely lead to this.
Arguably. Things have gotten much worse since then. However, I think the problem of decadence existed among the elites since forever. The Industrial Revolution only made our surpluses so extreme that decadence could become a societal feature, rather than an upper class one.