billie eilish’s words at the wall street journal innovator awards sparked backlash, but the truth behind her question runs deeper. this piece looks at wealth, perception, and why compassion feels radical in a culture that confuses having money with having power.

Jean Pormanove’s death during a livestream shows how quickly cruelty can be turned into entertainment. Despite warnings, platforms like Kick allowed abuse to continue while audiences paid to keep it going. His story is not only about one man but about the culture we are building online, and whether it will reward empathy or spectacle.