Is that so bad? The rational use of irrational symbols has proven highly effective in the past. Whatever it takes to survive, is worth considering.
It seems to me that elites are elite because they are simply the best at doing whatever it takes to maintain their power
This is true, but it's clearly conditioned on the currently-existing socioeconomic system. The aristocracy of post-feudal Europe did quite a good job of holding on to power for quite a long time, but over the course of just a few decades (1880-1920, or more expansively the whole century from 1850 to 1950) lost most-all of it to the up-and-coming bourgeoisie. This is despite them holding all the usual suspects for "tools to maintain power ...
I don't think that's necessarily true. I go off topic with coworkers when it feels appropriate, and if anything it can be a nice break from grinding on whatever problem.