Here's one thing I've noticed. Some places and events exude an ugliness despite being set in beautiful surroundings. I think much of it comes from the spirit of pride and self-accomplishment that seems to permeate the culture there. The more affluent tend to appropriate these places as their own. Maybe not initially. But it becomes that - a status symbol or a badge of honour. Over time, invisible barriers to access appear, like a "participation tax", that favours a particular clientele and promotes the exclusive nature of "the club". I think it's one of the reasons that "pride" is addressed so frequently in the pages of the Bible. It's very subtle. But is capable of wreaking enormous damage.
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.
1 John 2:15-17
