Star Wars’ galactic economic conundrum: Poverty and slavery in advanced society

WITH the release of The Last Jedi, the internet is awash with conjecture, much of it couched in an argot that only a truly wonkish Star Wars fan could even begin to follow.

Consider this bit, from the New York Times: “It has been speculated that a former Sith Lord caused the virgin birth of Anakin Skywalker by manipulating midichlorians.”

Or this, from a Reddit devoted to guessing what comes next: “Kylo’s scar is being used to confuse the timeline.”