The Bubble Effect

From our discussions in the past few classes, it is clear that homogeneity and lack of diversity are trademarks of elite schools and institutions. This refers not only to the lack of racial diversity, but also the socioeconomic homogeneity. The Chilean School is no different. After listening to the interviews, the lack of diversity and the consequences that this brought became more and more apparent. In our interviews, our interviewee mentioned her school environment to be “the same, most kids are from the city, only a small percentage is from other countries,  all the same socioeconomic [status].” She goes on to state how the uniform ethnicity of the Chilean School brings with it uniform culture, values, and ideas.

She distinctly described the social class tensions and the preconceived notions the wealthier groups had towards the less privileged groups and vice versa. She also documented the violence and the aggression the groups had towards each other. Interacting only with people of a similar socioeconomic class creates the bubble effect often described at Colby. This inevitably leads to the division and distinctive divide between those at the Chilean School and those outside of it.

From a social equality point of view, this “bubble” is detrimental as it serves to separate and further promotes the lack of integration. It also serves to narrow one’s perspective as being in a bubble seems to shut out everything else aside from what the individual is dealing with. However, within the elite circle, this “bubble effect” is a method of reproducing elites and maintaining socioeconomic superiority through keeping all forms of capital within the bubble. Additionally, this “bubble” may be a source of security for elites.

From listening to the interviews, one part that stood out to me was when our interviewee mentioned who made her most aware of her social class. She stated she had a friend who was very open minded and was friends with people all over Santiago. Our interviewee stated that this friend knew people even from the poorer communities and sectors of the region, which was not something that happened often. This too implies the lack of integration and stark separation of people in different socioeconomic positions.