I suspect the author is correct, but...

without this level of external validation of their imagined exceptionalism, many might well have no self at all.

Their exceptionalism ISN'T imagined. It's REAL. The rules DON'T apply to them. They WRITE the rules and apply them to the proles.

instead call them stupid. better still, call them irrelevant.

Would only work if the media was doing it, and the media are owned by the same elite class.

become self sufficient, self governing, and disinterested in them and theirs.

Their policies, which you are forced to live by, are structured to make this as difficult as possible. You find this out immediately if you ever try to be self employed.

build back without them.

Good luck.

Historically, all around the globe, there's only one way you get rid of a ruling elite, and it's by murdering them.

Often, you have to do this to the entire extended family and their children.

I suspect the author is correct, but...

without this level of external validation of their imagined exceptionalism, many might well have no self at all.

Their exceptionalism ISN'T imagined. It's REAL. The rules DON'T apply to them. They WRITE the rules apply them to the proles.

instead call them stupid. better still, call them irrelevant.

Would only work if the media was doing it, and the media are owned by the same elite class.

become self sufficient, self governing, and disinterested in them and theirs.

Their policies, which you are forced to live by, are structured to make this as difficult as possible. You find this out immediately if you ever try to be self employed.

build back without them.

Good luck.

Historically, all around the globe, there's only one way you get rid of a ruling elite, and it's by murdering them.

Often, you have to do this to the entire extended family and their children.