It looks to me like Dr Roth is talking his book and the fact that he does this so incredibly well speaks volumes for the liberal education he is selling. Wouldn’t you want your kid(s) to be able to write like that? I know I sure would. The initial premise is a straw man. Although there is certainly value to be had in hyper selective elitism, everything mentioned has its own intrinsic value that making it valuable and worth having regardless of how may other people can or can’t have the same thing themselves. The overarching point being made is that if you play the game and get a good score, you can have your cake and eat it too. A great lesson for all of us.