E Pluribus Unum: American Pie.

Business Conglomeration. Social Melting Pot.

One obviously embraces the "virtues" of simplification: in reducing competing products and ideas, in streamlining the flow of information to produce "efficiencies" that enhance the qualities and potential return of one's opportunities. E Pluribus Unum in the business sense literally means Out of many, One.

The other embraces the "virtues" of diversity in the belief that co-existence, sustained choice and variable input enhances the qualities and potential return of one's opportunities. E Pluribus Unum in the social sense figuratively means Out of many, One.

Two outlooks, seemingly at cross-purposes. One Convergent in thought and aim, the other, Divergent in thought and aim. Where the two triangles cross, friction. Or opportunity.

For many, lately, there's a bit too much pluribus in the social market. And a bit too much unum in the free market.

What the hell brought on this line of thought? I haven't a clue.