We can already see the first stages of this transition taking place. Why does wearing a chunky gold chain look rich to poor people, and poor to rich people? The signal is simple: "I have enough resources that I can waste $500 on this shiny metal ornament." But rich people are not worried about being confused with people who don't have $500. They have to distinguish themselves from the insecure middle classes, and the way they do so is through countersignalling: by refraining from obvious displays of wealth, they demonstrate that they're so secure in their position that they don't need to
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