1) (I think) 'open' in CNN open mic(rophone): is used in the same sense as 'open source software' or 'open market' -- to mean 'unrestricted' - as an adjective rather than a verb (to give access).

2) classes and separation come in as a mean to build and keep 'power' (economic and otherwise). Even in Thailand, we have clear examples of classes: public servants - rural folks, educated-uneducated, white collars-workers (with street sweepers at the lowest end).

We often fail to realize that the work provided by 'lower paid workers' is the base of all other so-called 'work' (or shaping work). Doctors would fail in their work if the environment is not kept clean by street sweepers, cleaners and rubbish removers. We fail to compensate those workers at the 'coal face' (or the front line where life and dead meet). We must, if we are to maintain our standard of living and being virtuous classes, pay them more. Pay them more to make working in dangerous and hazardous conditions worthwhile. (Afterall, if we don't want to do it ourselves! ;-)