Wealth creation became coded as democratic cultural empowerment

Evidence

In this ultrapoptimist worldview, wealth creation wasn’t just a goal but a measure of democratic and cultural success. Fans eagerly joined their idols in the quest for financial domination, viewing their loyalty and spending as a form of empowerment. As money became synonymous with popularity, industry executives achieved parity with the artists they represented. — W. David Marx, Blank Space, 544

Categorization

• XREF: Ties into the book’s signature thesis about why the era lacks a distinct cultural identity — money collapsing into status.