Foodie culture is another big one. Knowing the nuances of a Michelin sushi menu today is like knowing the latest Mozart sonatas in 1790.
These luxury beliefs are usually framed as negative. Signaling status while pretending you’re not is worth calling out, and it can be insidious at its worst. But status-seeking is hardwired into our biology. At least we’ve elevated beyond fancy cabinets and silver spoons and car rims! You mention Zuck learning Chinese. I’ve been studying Chinese for 10 years. My primary motivation is internal, I simply love it. I realize some deep-seated part of me relishes the productive leisure signal. “Hey world, I’m smart!” But language learning also enriches my life way more than old-world signals of status ever would. So we’re all still insecure status seeking monkeys, but at least we’re shifting to a higher version of this flaw
Very astute comments below. I already feel high status, being a part of this Substack community. La comedia de la vida! We could go one step farther and remind ourselves that this is all Darwin; breeding opportunity. Then, where do we go with that?
Very astute comments below. I already feel high status, being a part of this Substack community. La comedia de la vida! We could go one step farther and remind ourselves that this is all Darwin; breeding opportunity. Then, where do we go with that?
How Status Signaling Evolved
the new status signaling is commenting on substack instead of twitter
Foodie culture is another big one. Knowing the nuances of a Michelin sushi menu today is like knowing the latest Mozart sonatas in 1790.
These luxury beliefs are usually framed as negative. Signaling status while pretending you’re not is worth calling out, and it can be insidious at its worst. But status-seeking is hardwired into our biology. At least we’ve elevated beyond fancy cabinets and silver spoons and car rims! You mention Zuck learning Chinese. I’ve been studying Chinese for 10 years. My primary motivation is internal, I simply love it. I realize some deep-seated part of me relishes the productive leisure signal. “Hey world, I’m smart!” But language learning also enriches my life way more than old-world signals of status ever would. So we’re all still insecure status seeking monkeys, but at least we’re shifting to a higher version of this flaw
Seems as though this was anticipated by David Brooks in Bobos in Paradise
pinging you. have a question
Very astute comments below. I already feel high status, being a part of this Substack community. La comedia de la vida! We could go one step farther and remind ourselves that this is all Darwin; breeding opportunity. Then, where do we go with that?
Very astute comments below. I already feel high status, being a part of this Substack community. La comedia de la vida! We could go one step farther and remind ourselves that this is all Darwin; breeding opportunity. Then, where do we go with that?
Only midwits who care more about second handing mimetic impulses care about these “signals”. They have status insofar as you give them status