Curated Chat

3. Echoes of Excess: Marie Antoinette, Agnes Gund, and Why We're Always Predicting the Rapture


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We explore the fascinating resurgence of Marie Antoinette as a symbol for our new Gilded Age of extreme inequality. Then, we pivot to a powerful alternative in the legacy of philanthropist Agnes Gund, who used her wealth and passion for art as a force for profound social good. Finally, we examine our era's anxiety through the lens of TikTok's latest viral "Rapture" scare, a recurring phenomenon during times of economic strife. This journey asks a central question: when faced with societal tension, do we glamorize the collapse, fantasize about escape, or roll up our sleeves and build a better world?

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Curated ChatBy Ursula Reynolds