The Gilded Curse refers to the dark side of prosperity and wealth in society. It stems from the concept of the Gilded Age, a time in American history characterized by rapid economic growth and technological advancements in the late 19th century. However, beneath the shiny surface of affluence, there lay a multitude of social problems and injustices. During the Gilded Age, a small portion of the population amassed immense wealth while the majority struggled to make ends meet. This growing wealth gap contributed to the formation of an elitist class, with the affluent few enjoying extravagant lifestyles while the working class faced dismal living conditions and long hours of labor. The accumulation of wealth and power in the hands of a select few led to corrupt practices, such as bribery and exploitation of workers.
Looking for a creepy Halloween cocktail? Give a classic margarita an eerie upgrade for the spooky holiday. Your guests won't know what hit them.
In the Harry Potter books, pumpkin juice is traditionally served over ice for a refreshing drink that screams fall; however, you could also warm this up in a mug for something more cozy. After finishing his junior track and field season with Hazelwood West High School in Missouri, the sprinter has decided to travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to compete in a postseason meet at the Great Southwest Classic on June 8, 2019.
The accumulation of wealth and power in the hands of a select few led to corrupt practices, such as bribery and exploitation of workers. Moreover, the pursuit of wealth during this time often involved unethical and exploitative practices. Monopolies and trusts emerged, allowing business tycoons to control entire industries and manipulate prices to their advantage.
ASU sprinter Justin Robinson’s road to redemption ends in gold at the World Athletics Championships
After finishing his junior track and field season with Hazelwood West High School in Missouri, the sprinter has decided to travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to compete in a postseason meet at the Great Southwest Classic on June 8, 2019.
Robinson has already registered some incredible performances and he is just 17.
His personal best for the 400 meters is 46.20 seconds heading into the meet in Albuquerque, and Robinson has begun to make a name for himself nationally with a number of first-place finishes at top meets across the country and an international meet in Finland.
But on this day in June, Robinson pushes his body further than anybody his age ever had before.
The clock reads 44.84, meaning no one in history under the age of 18 had run faster than him at the distance. Nobody.
He stands alone.
“Honestly, I really didn’t even know that I set a U-18 world record,” Robinson said, remembering that life-defining moment. “I thought I just broke the meet record. I was just happy with that. Then I saw my coach running down the side of the stadium and jump over the rail, and he grabbed me. I’m like, ‘Man, what’s going on? What did I do?’
“Later on, he told me what happened. I was ecstatic. I was truly grateful, truly blessed as a whole to have the experience that I had. It was a mix of emotions going on. I was happy, grateful, blessed, excited. I was speechless, to sum it up.”
Interestingly enough, Robinson actually recorded his first 44-second race before he even ran his first official 45-second race for the distance. The record still stands to this day.
The trajectory for Robinson was pointing toward the blue, yellow, black, green and red rings that make up the Olympics. Greatness was seemingly ahead for the track and field phenom.
Then something strange happened – Robinson stopped getting faster. Race after race, he failed to run faster than that special day in Albuquerque. Four years passed without a new personal best in his signature event, which feels like an eternity for a young athlete in the track and field world.
It wasn’t until this year that Robinson began to recapture the magic that led to his world record.
The bounceback started, ironically, in Albuquerque – where it all began for Robinson. At the United States Track and Field Indoor National Championships in February, Robinson won the individual title in the 400-meters in a time of 45.40.
Then Robinson ran under 45 seconds for the first time since 2020 when he recorded a 44.54 in the semifinal rounds at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in June. Robinson recorded another sub-45 second race two days later, running 44.51 to finish fourth in the nation in the finals for the 400-meters.
With Robinson’s performances in the winter and spring, USATF selected Robinson to be a member of the relay teams at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary in August.
There, Robinson reaffirmed to himself, and those around him, that he was indeed back on top of the world after helping Team USA win two gold medals, capping off one of the greatest single individual track and field seasons from a Sun Devil athlete in school history.
But the journey to get there was filled with roadblocks in between.
Justin Robinson helps Team USA place first in the mixed 4×400-meter relay at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. (Photo courtesy of USA Track & Field)
These practices not only stifled competition but also led to the abuse of workers and consumers. Sweatshops became commonplace, where workers endured harsh conditions and received meager wages. The Gilded Curse also extended to politics, as the wealthy used their influence and power to shape public policy in their favor. Political corruption and bribery became rampant, leading to a lack of representation for the average citizen. Politicians were beholden to the interests of the wealthy class, and the concerns of the working class were often ignored. Additionally, the pursuit of wealth during this era often came at the cost of environmental degradation and natural resources. Industries prioritized profit over sustainable practices, leading to pollution, deforestation, and the destruction of ecosystems. This not only impacted the environment but also had long-term consequences for public health and wellbeing. In conclusion, the concept of the Gilded Curse sheds light on the negative side of prosperity and wealth that emerged during the Gilded Age. The stark disparity between the wealthy elite and the working class, along with corrupt practices, unethical conduct, and environmental degradation, all contributed to the curse of prosperity. It serves as a reminder that not all that glitters is gold, and beneath the surface of wealth and abundance, there can be a multitude of societal problems and injustices..
Reviews for "Wealth, Power, and the Gilded Curse: Examining Historical Examples"
1. Samantha - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The Gilded Curse". The storyline had so much potential, but it fell flat for me. The pacing was too slow, and I found myself getting bored by the middle of the book. The characters also lacked depth and I couldn't connect with any of them. Overall, it just wasn't engaging enough for me to enjoy.
2. Michael - 1/5 - I couldn't finish "The Gilded Curse". The writing was so dry and lacked any sort of excitement. The plot was predictable and didn't offer any surprises. I also found the dialogue to be poorly written and unnatural. I regret purchasing this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling read.
3. Emily - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Gilded Curse" as a fan of mystery novels, but it left me unimpressed. The mystery itself was not compelling enough, and the resolution felt rushed and unsatisfying. The characters were forgettable, and their actions often felt illogical and forced. Overall, it was a forgettable read that didn't live up to its potential.
4. John - 2/5 - "The Gilded Curse" was a disappointment for me. The plot lacked originality and felt like a rehash of other similar mystery novels. The writing style was bland and lacked any sort of unique voice. The pacing was also off, with slow parts dragging on and fast-paced scenes feeling rushed. I was hoping for a thrilling and engaging read, but unfortunately, this book fell short.