> The ideas seem sourced from some brain-trust of idle-rich , rather than from the average US consumer

I think it says more about the economy currently. The "average US consumer" is the wealthy right now. Just 10% of the population, the highest earners, drive nearly 50% of consumption currently and that number is growing.

That is the new average US consumer, hence the ads and use cases targeting a more well-off demographic. Everyone else has been left behind.

Adding context: The upper 10% for household income across the US is about $160k/yr.

Limiting the scope to people living in high cost-of-living cities (probably smaller than their ideal customer field) that might be $300-400k/yr.