The Coterie

In the contemporary social classification system, our status is proportional to our affluence. As we earn more, we ascend in this pyramidal structure, through the levels based on materialistic possessions, accompanied by behavioural changes. An individuals’ worth and conduct in each level is its distinguishing feature and the competition, to rise to higher levels, is ruthless.

These levels are segregated not by a sharp boundary but a wide, transparent and permeable band which allows inter-level transfer. The occupants are not rigid but floating continuously in horizontal as well as vertical fashion. There are few currents (with luck as the suffix in their names), which flow in vertical dimension. These continuously moving drafts displace the unsuspecting riders, at times upwards but more often downwards. Transparency of the separating band allows the possessions and conduct to be seen from a lower level, almost always alluring the onlooker. If we manage to climb up a level hoping to achieve nirvana, a fleeting glance higher, is all it takes for aspiration to soar again. Because what we have, is never enough. 

At the peak, there is a level which does not have a definite upper boundary and where occupants operate in an amusing way. Here, although the competitive spirit exists, there is also more cohesiveness. The people here are brought together by mutual understanding of how to run this world. They, often, don’t indulge directly but keep important people aligned to their cause and also run a private PR industry, so that their position in the world order is not shaken. They are continuously working together to improve the illusion of wellbeing of commoners at other levels. In case someone climbs to this level and doesn’t want to be part of this coterie, every effort is made to either push that person back or if his worth is proven, to convert him to become one of them.

This level doesn’t have fixed ideas of honesty, integrity, ethics, morality, rules, regulations, decency and nationality. The main driving force here is their lust for position, money, power and profit. Surprisingly, the modern history has been very kind to them. (Maybe because they fund its writing.) Therefore, we know them as hard working, intelligent, enterprising, bold also philosophical, philanthropic and virtuous. However, covertly they are greedy, clever, conceited, opportunist and authoritarian. Generally, there is a facade to their nefarious activities and their actions even though deplorable, are disguised as benevolent.

All significant resources of this world are under their control and the technology is designed and refined to further their personal ambitions. They believe in democracy so that the power is always divided amongst people and they cannot join together to take them down. And just in case, their is a build up of a popular opinion against them, they have enough arsenal to create fissures in that movement.

Their luxurious lifestyle is legendary and akin to a fairy tale. Even God is their ally. Or may be they are the ones who want us to keep believing in God and wait for some messiah to uplift us out of our misery or Karma to strike. The alleged holy men of all the cults around the world are playing into their hands either knowingly or otherwise. While people in the lower levels are taught and programmed to be guided by the ethos of humanity, fraternity and nationalism, the occupants here are incarnation of superciliousness.

Ever since modernisation has replaced older societal foundation, this group has evolved into a pack of undefeatable beasts who may swallow the spirit with which human race has survived till now. I am not a conspiracy theorist but when I look around, I find many famous figures of this day, who are at the apex of their respective and varied fields, as worthy contenders to be part of this coterie. Can you too?