The latest of the billionaires behaving brazenly

But both could be captured by the broader label of billionaires behaving bizarrely.

We have become obsessed with torturing ourselves by watching the excesses of the ultra-ultra-wealthy, which most will label obscene but compelling.

There are plenty of cultural references, such as Succession, which is loosely based on the antics of the Murdoch family and sibling rivalry for control of the empire.

Another that springs to mind is Mountainhead, the recently released satirical drama based on four billionaire tech bros’ weekend getaway, set against the backdrop of an international crisis of their own making but on which they are hoping to capitalise.

Fictional as those characters are, think Tesla’s Elon Musk, Bezos, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, OpenAI founder Sam Altman or the elder statesman of the group, PayPal’s Thiel.

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It’s even been reported that some have “prepper” plans to move to New Zealand in the event of an apocalypse.

Sure, the tech bros are all innovators, but they have made their money on the back of selling products and services to the 99.9999 per centers. We buy their products, read their social media platforms and drive their electric vehicles.

And they don’t quietly influence the political process – they attend presidential inaugurations and make millions in public political contributions.

Thus it is hardly surprising that the Bezos nuptials have been transformed into a worldwide event, costing more than $100 million and attended by a list of guests with more influence than the United Nations gathering, and which presents guests with more networking potential than the annual Davos get-together.

The local Venetians are certainly not seeing this as a great tourism marketing opportunity – rather as a mass migration of rich-listers taking over their historic town. Such was the level of protest that the event’s venue was changed.

About a dozen Venetian organisations – including housing advocates, anti-cruise ship campaigners and university groups – have reportedly united to protest the multi-day event under the banner “No Space for Bezos”.