(RALEIGH) -- "We are the 99-percent." That's the mantra of the Occupy Wall Street movement's ongoing demonstration of income inequality. N.C. State University Economist Mike Walden said one of the reasons for the growing gap over the years is what he calls "The Superstar Effect."

"If you're someone at the top of your field, entertainment, sports, lawyers, what globalization has allowed you to do is reach more people.  Technology has allowed you to reach more people and so you're garner more income based on your audience being greater than ever before as apposed to before the technological changes happened," said Walden.

he said another major impact has been the marriage market, where people are more likely to marry someone based on their educational background.