Take That, F. Scott Fitzgerald!
by tristero
Fitzgerald once said, “Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me.“
Not so fast. Some new, fascinating research suggests that actually, genetically, rich and poor aren’t so different after all.
According to a study released this week by geneticists at Cornell University, substantial evidence indicates that rich people and poor people—disparate populations long thought to be entirely unrelated—may have once shared a single common ancestor. “After conducting careful DNA analysis, our research team was taken aback to discover that the wealthy and the working class actually have a considerable number of genetic similarities,” said study co-author Kenneth Chang, adding that despite the disparity between the modern-day affluent and low earners in terms of behavior, appearance, and lifestyle, numerous genetic markers revealed that their predecessors may have once lived beside one another without any noticeable differences.
I know, it does sound incredible, almost like a fake news story, but it is hard to argue with a news source as credible as The Onion.
However, if poor and rich once actually did live side by side with few noticeable differences – it is clear from the article that Dr. Chang is merely speculating and has no empirical data – that was a very long time ago. Today, when rich and poor share an apartment building, we deem it not only socially acceptable but essential for there to be separate entrances.
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