Interesting piece. After decades in NYC, I saw my share of uber wealthy people who, as you point out, were insulated from controversy among their friends and handlers.

But I'd like to add a piece: the single-mindedness required to get "to the top" probably forecasts this kind of future for some. Because they're myopic from the get-go. In order to ignore the naysayers and those who diss them on their way up, their shell becomes hardened. And they probably weren't nice people to begin with. Just a thought.