“The destruction of capital—temples, palaces, manors, monuments, bathhouses, and wealthy properties—all disproportionately hurt the rich.” Though calamities such as disease and famine tend to bring greater harm to the poor, those who manage to survive the wipeout event, Kemp suggests, are left with “more bargaining power with bosses and landlords” because there are fewer people with whom to compete.

Ominous, given the current push for AI among the rich and powerful.