Inequality risks confining poor to virtual hamster cages

PHOTO: REUTERS
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What are the limits of inequality? In a world with virtual reality, history might be an unreliable guide.

Time was you could imagine a peasant revolt: If the poorest were starving, they wouldn't wait around patiently for political change. Riots would disrupt the status quo. If things were really bad, the army might join in.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 26, 2018, with the headline Inequality risks confining poor to virtual hamster cages. Subscribe