Scott Alexander presents highlights from reader comments on his 'Bobos in Paradise' book review, covering critiques of the book's thesis, discussions on elite education, and debates on social class dynamics. Longer summary

Scott Alexander summarizes and responds to reader comments on his review of 'Bobos in Paradise' by David Brooks. The comments cover various aspects of the book's thesis about the rise of a new 'Bobo' elite class, including doubts about its historical accuracy, discussions on Ivy League admissions policies, debates on the merits of hereditary aristocracy, and other interesting tangents. Scott provides his thoughts on some of the comments and highlights areas for further exploration. Shorter summary

Scott reviews David Brooks' thesis on how a 1950s change in Ivy League admissions policy reshaped American elite culture and society. Longer summary

Scott Alexander reviews the first sixth of David Brooks' book 'Bobos In Paradise', focusing on Brooks' thesis that a change in Harvard's admissions policy in the 1950s led to the replacement of the old WASP aristocracy with a new meritocratic elite. This shift had far-reaching consequences for American culture, values, and social trends. Scott explores how this theory might explain various phenomena, from changes in architecture to political polarization, and considers its implications for understanding modern elites and social dynamics. Shorter summary