For most, self-expression takes the form of attempting to classify oneself in aspirational communities: e.g., “I’m goth” or “I’m an entrepreneur.” When we do tiptoe into more distinct choices, we make sure they conform to the standards of detachment, congruence, and authenticity. For whatever freedom we have to craft personas, status value makes some options more attractive than others. We can always make idiosyncratic choices, break conventions, or stubbornly ignore social pressures, but the social punishments may be strong enough to bring us back to the norm.
