I think rich and powerful will always find subtle and less subtle ways to signal their status and power. Creating special clubs, with invite-only lists, and then exercise their power and influence in applying modifications to that list is one way to do it.

- "Say John, how many people have you uninvited today?"

- "Well, only 10. What about you?"

- "Ha! I just booted 20 attendees whose haircuts I found deplorable. Then invited this one cousin of a friend who is a blogger and maybe he'll say something nice about me and TED to his online audience."