Young people don’t even know they’re being taken for a ride

Travelling home on the train last week, I heard the dulcet sounds of political discourse drifting towards me across the carriage. The words ‘social housing’ were followed soon after by the word ‘moron.’ I removed my headphones and attended more closely. 

The speakers were two men aged about 30, whipping themselves up into a lather over the suggestion that there ought to be less social housing in central London. They seemed to be genuinely astonished by an argument they’d come across which pointed out that social housing tenants are dependent on the state for subsidy. ‘Moronic!’ they said, ‘insane!’ 

 Based on their clothing and accents, I’d bet money on both of these men being graduates, probably working in professional creative jobs of some kind, meaning that they’ll be on salaries of £40-50k, which puts them in the top third of earners nationally.