Recently, I came across a rather heartbreaking story about Woody Allen's wife, Song Yi, and her email exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein. Many people only see the surface—an congressman being disgraced for inappropriate messages with a 15-year-old girl, while Song Yi defends him and even insults the girl as a "despicable and shameless person who bullies the weak," saying things like "women taking advantage of men." At first glance, it seems like this woman has no conscience.

But there's a key detail behind this that many haven't clarified. Why does Song Yi defend Epstein so vigorously? Because he is her "benefactor." Her daughter was able to get into Bard College thanks to Epstein helping her get a backdoor entry. That is the core of the whole story—the operation of standard social connections and favors.

How exactly does this work? First, Song Yi managed to get Epstein to help her. She wanted her daughter to visit Bard College. Epstein is an old friend of the current college president, and a single email arranged the visit. Two months later, when her daughter decided to apply, Epstein stepped in again to coordinate, allowing Song Yi and her husband to directly call the president. The president forwarded Song Yi’s email to the admissions committee—just this step, and the next day, Song Yi sent a thank-you letter to Epstein, saying, "I really appreciate you helping Bechet get into Bard," and describing how she was so excited eating in the kitchen that she couldn’t express her gratitude properly.

This is the American version of social connections. When wealthy and powerful people help you, you have to remember their kindness. So later, when Epstein got into trouble, Song Yi naturally stood up to speak for him, even attacking the victim. It’s not that her conscience is completely broken, but that the logic of relationships and interests is at work.

Who dares say that American society has no social connections? Their social network is so refined, so hidden, so legal. No need for explicit words—an email, a phone call, an introduction, and things get done. Compared to overt social exchanges, this invisible exchange of benefits is actually more ingrained. The Epstein case reveals only the tip of the iceberg of how the American upper class operates.