Since the latest tranche of Epstein files has dropped, a new neologism has entered our lexicon: "Epstein class." Connotatively, I discern the Epstein class to mean our self-appointed overlords who are above the rules. Not only are they above the rules, but they are above baseline human decency.

A shining example of the Epstein class is movie producer Barry Josephson, who repeatedly exchanged emails with Jeffrey Epstein. Josephson has had a distinguished career as a Hollywood VIP.

Early in his career, he produced Ricochet, The Last Boy Scout, and Tales from the Crypt. In 1991, Josephson became Vice President of Production at Columbia Pictures, and three years later he became the President of Columbia Pictures. At Columbia, Josephson produced numerous Hollywood blockbusters, including In the Line of Fire, Bad Boys, Men in Black, Air Force One, The Fifth Element, and Anaconda.

After leaving Columbia in 1997, Josephson partnered with director Barry Sonnenfeld, and the two joined The Walt Disney Company (Touchstone Pictures) as Sonnenfeld Josephson Worldwide Entertainment for a three-year hitch. During Josephson's four years at Disney, he produced numerous films and television shows, including Wild Wild West, Fantasy Island, Big Trouble, The Crew, and Secret Agent Man.

He then joined 20th Century Fox under Josephson Entertainment, producing Enchanted, Hide and Seek, and Like Mike.

Josephson also produced and founded Comic Relief, the charitable organization that produced comedy concerts hosted by comedic superstars Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, and Whoopi Goldberg to raise funds for America's homeless and other underserved populations.

Because of Josephson's role in Comic Relief, he appears to be an altruist who has a deep concern for the disadvantaged and the marginalized.

WRONG.

Though I don't have a clue about his motivation for producing Comic Relief, his grand plan is the eradication of poor people.

In an email Josephson wrote to Epstein on February 3, 2011, he clearly stated his feelings about "poor people": "I've been thinking a lot about that question that you asked Bill Gates, 'How do we get rid of poor people as a whole,' and I have an answer/comment regarding that for you. When can I call you today to discuss this??"

Apparently, his idea to eradicate "poor people," instead of poverty, was too convoluted and/or evil to commit to an email. Josephson's ostensible plan to help the disadvantaged through Comic Relief must have been a moneymaker for him under the guise of humanitarianism. Josephson is a hypocrite of the highest order.

It also seems rather strange that Epstein would have such a discussion with Bill Gates, given Gates's unyielding endeavor to save humanity with vaccines.

With regard to books, an oldie but a goodie is economist Thorstein Veblen's Theory of the Leisure Class, published in 1899. Veblen posits that the upper class engages in "predatory" behavior as a holdover from archaic, warlike cultures, signaling wealth through conspicuous consumption and leisure. Their behavior is characterized by wasteful consumption that demonstrates economic superiority, allowing the wealthy to avoid productive work while creating a social hierarchy based on wasteful, non-productive consumption.

Veblen diverges from Marx because the latter posited that the financial chasm between the leisure class and the working class would become unbridgeable and would inevitably produce a revolution.

Veblen, however, wrote that the lower classes are groomed by the leisure class, and they imitate the upper class through a societal "trickle-down" culture of wasteful spending to emulate their status. This grooming by the leisure class offsets potential revolutions.

Josephson is a stellar example of the leisure class. He should be indicted for imitating a human with intent to loiter, a life sentence without the possibility of parole. As I've said repeatedly, the upper crust is a bunch of crumbs held together by dough. Moreover, he should win an Oscar for Best Malignant Scumbag.