Mammalian brain · Social Drives & Status
Status Escalation Competition
An arms race in visible status spending where each move forces the next and nobody ends up higher; positional goods make everyone's spending cancel out.
An everyday example
Competing firms upgrading offices, retreats and titles in lockstep.
What it can cost you
Spending to hold rank rather than to gain anything.
Warning signs
- I am matching, not choosing.
- We would all be better off if nobody did this.
One thing to do
Opt out of races where the prize is relative rank; spend where the gain is absolute.
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