So, yeah, we all care and are all affected by cues around our social rank and influence. But most of us suppress the revolutionary, Che Guevarra-like instinct this can incite. Instead, we feign that we’re above the subtle status reminders we face every day. We soothe ourselves and undercut the high-status people by telling ourselves things like, “that house is a monstrosity…money can’t buy taste.” Or “the plane lands at the same time for everyone.” Because here’s the more important thing: expressing that we care, ironically, is the worst thing we can do for our status. Nothing hurts our status
...more
