AUDITING THE RICH

The World’s Billionaires club in 2022 is 87 members smaller than last year; Russia’s war, China’s crackdown on tech firms and market turmoil all helped trim the rolls. Are the 2,668 who got past the velvet rope a credit to entrepreneurial capitalism, rapacious hucksters or something else entirely? Readers had thoughts.

@MIA_AKI: “Nowadays, the gap between the average person and [those on] this list is the distance from the earth to the moon.”

@NIJMEHR:

“If only they can all get together and save the world. Yes, the possibilities are endless!”

SERGIO GUTIERREZ CAMPOS:

“We give these people way too much credit and attention. Hardly do I see praise for the individuals and teams behind the companies.”

TOWANDA GIBSON:

“[No. 1 Elon Musk] is much more than just dollar signs—he is actually quite a remarkable human being.”

@KRISTEN MEINZER:

“Can we please, as a society, stop celebrating these selfish wealth hoarding tax dodgers?”

MAISON KINGSLEY:

“Many people complaining have apparently forgotten the entire purpose of Forbes is to report on the world’s wealthiest.”