We think that of all morons in positions of power, because it’s difficult to fathom how they got there otherwise. Despite all the proof to the contrary, we continue to think meritocracy is a thing. The prosperity gospel is one of the more overt expressions of that belief: if you’re rich, it’s obviously because you’re just the best, smartest little cookie and you deserve it all. What other reasons could there possibly be?

Not if they believe it won’t affect them, and if they can turn their power into connections with rich people willing to part with their wealth in exchange for the promise their civilisational-risk-increasing industries can press on unabated.