@danluu I’ve always been self conscious about my teeth. I got basic care, but we couldn’t afford orthodontia, and it shows. Especially now when most of my colleagues are younger and much more likely to have picture perfect teeth.

In college, there was a sociology book that blew my mind. I still have a copy. (Not home, or I’d have the title). The author (pre-computer) mapped out social organization membership, schools attended, charities donated to, etc, and conclusively showed that America had an upper class, and that short of making it into those schools and using those connections, it was very difficult to move into it.