I haven't seen many people point this out so I'd like to know your opinion, but I find insanely funny how, because Professor Membrane is like, one of the most famous scientists in the world, that means the Membrane family surely has a lot of money, which is why we see that they have a lab at home and Dib can buy whatever he wants online to build his own things, or Gaz buying the latest game. Not only that but also replace whatever silly device he got online no matter how expensive/exclusive it was, so Dib is definitely used to that and is probably a bit detached from reality.
I don't think this is an original thought and I'm probably missing fan content that has already pointed that out but I still believe it's funny. Also happy pride :]
I'm so happy that u are pointing it out because is one of my favorite things to explore with the Membrane family (specially in rp) (☆▽☆)
I believe that it goes somewhat unnoticed because the IZ universe has a society that is already advanced in technology (the skool having collars that make sure no kid escapes, the holographic screens in many devices, etc). But it's very clear once we start noticing those details like the ones you have pointed out, them having a literal cooking robot (Foodio 3000), Gaz having the most advanced and probably expensive consoles in the comics and thus getting bored quickly because she gets to buy all that is new, and so on!
They live in a very privileged life thanks to their father's status, and that not only affects the Membrane siblings perception of life (specially Dib's due to his lack of friends), but their social life too. I like to think that once they reach adolescence, the people around them start searching for them out of interest.
Just imagine, being friends with one of the Membrane siblings; the children of the most successful scientist of the modern era. How much social media attention can you get from that? How many expensive gifts could you get from them? The status of being able to stand beside them and brag about it online, the popularity that you could gain from it; the teenage dream. Hell, maybe even some teachers try to be more friendly towards them in the hopes that they can gain something from them, like their father recognizing their efforts at educating the siblings and thank them with an expensive gift.
I don't think that Dib and Gaz are fond of this; we know that Gaz doesn't play around and would reject any attempt of friendship from these people, while Dib would probably fall into it just to be disappointed once he realizes that they are just interested in his status rather than himself. Either way I think Gaz is the one they seek out the most because Dib is perceived as someone difficult to reach due to his self centered nature and, you know, because he's a freak.
I also don't think that the siblings like to brag about having money, again, they have their own priorities like Gaz with her games and Dib with his paranormal fixation, they think that living as a high-class family isn't that big of a deal, but are self-conscious enough to buy expensive gifts to those they consider friends. For example in a zadr context, I always loved the idea of Dib taking Zim to a mall just to buy anything that catches Zim's attention like alternative clothing, plushies, some cool looking knives, etc. He knows that he has money to throw to the ceiling but doesn't realize how lucky he is to do so, he just knows that it feels nice to share it with someone. It's Zim the one to give him the perspective of someone that has lived through hell as a defective alien where the system constantly tries to torn apart, that he had to fight against the privileged group of Irkens that existed thanks to lower class ones to get where he is now, unlike Dib that was basically born with his life set up so he would never worry about getting food on the table.
And that also opens this conversation about Zim feeling confused at Dib's constant refusal to act like society wants. He could live a perfect life if he just decided act like a "normal person," but instead chooses to pursue his passions and be perceived as a freak. Zim has tried to act in accordance with Irken society, believing that it's the best for him even if the system is made against defects like him, and it troubles him why Dib would choose to do the opposite. He learns to admire that from Dib, while Dib learns to admire Zim's strenght at facing a hard life. I want to showcase this contrast in Perfect Nothing too, I want to explore Dib's new life as a nepo baby and how adjusting to what society percieves as "normal" does not equal a happy life
I yapped too much but I adore to play around the Membrane's wealthy life and the contrast that it creates with characters that have gone through a harder life ( ꈍᴗꈍ) I hope my interpretation of it is of your interest
