What is the role of status in human behavior?

Status is a fundamental drive in human behavior, allowing us to connect with others and rise within social hierarchies, increasing our chances of survival and reproduction.

How can the status game be played?

The status game can be played through dominance, virtue, and success, with most games being a mixture of all three.

How does losing status affect individuals?

Losing status can lead to humiliation and aggression, and it can have negative consequences, particularly for narcissistic individuals who have been repeatedly humiliated.

Can gaining high status lead to negative consequences?

Yes, gaining high status can turn people into monsters as they become acclimated to it and constantly desire more, leading to potentially monstrous behavior in the pursuit of higher status.

How does technology impact the status game?

Technology, such as social media platforms like Twitter, has expedited and intensified the status game, but the root of these impulses lies in human nature, not algorithms or social media platforms.

Unveiling the Power of Status: Insights from Will Storr | Modern Wisdom Podcast 374

Name: Unveiling the Power of Status: Insights from Will Storr | Modern Wisdom Podcast 374
Uploaded: 2023-07-28 20:03:23
Description: Status is a fundamental drive in human behavior, influencing our actions and relationships, and while it can be fulfilling, it can also lead to negative consequences and even turn people into monsters.

This article is a summary of a YouTube video "How To Play The Status Game - Will Storr | Modern Wisdom Podcast 374" by Chris Williamson

TLDR Status is a fundamental drive in human behavior, influencing our actions and relationships, and while it can be fulfilling, it can also lead to negative consequences and even turn people into monsters.

The Power of Status

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Status is a fundamental drive rooted in our evolutionary history, as it was associated with survival and reproduction, making it a powerful motivator in human behavior.
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The status game involves a strategy of copying, flattering, and conforming to high-status individuals in order to climb up the social ladder.
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Rivalry, fueled by a history of near wins and losses, can be a powerful motivator for success, both at the individual and company level.
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Status is a fundamental psychological need, as humans have evolved to crave and require it for their well-being.
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The fact that our species has evolved to reward altruistic and selfless acts is a fantastic development in our evolved technology.
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The automatic reward system for acts of selflessness is an incredible aspect of our species.
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Crossfit is a positive example of a status game, where people support and encourage each other to improve, rather than compete and brag about their achievements.
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"Any successful group is a status generating machine, competing both internally and externally, but status doesn't have to be a zero-sum game."
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The ideal life is a slow and steady rise in status throughout one's life, achieving something new every year, rather than experiencing a sudden spike of fame at a young age, which is often unsustainable and can lead to negative consequences.
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"If you can approach people embodying warmth, sincerity, and competence, it's very hard for you to fail in life because you're signaling that you won't seek status through domination or coercion."

The Role of Humiliation

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Humiliation is not just about losing status, but it's about being robbed of any hope of reclaiming that status in the future, making it the "nuclear bomb of emotions" and a driving force behind extreme acts of violence.
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The "dangerous triad" of severe humiliation, grandiose humiliation, and aggression can have negative consequences when individuals lose status over time.

The Influence of Social Media

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The tyranny of cancel culture is fueled by an atmosphere of accusation, gossip, and consensus, where moral outrage builds up and leads to the destruction of a person's reputation and livelihood.
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The rise of social media and fragmented groups has intensified the playing of status games, but the root of these impulses lies in human nature.

Q&A

What is the role of status in human behavior?

— Status is a fundamental drive in human behavior, allowing us to connect with others and rise within social hierarchies, increasing our chances of survival and reproduction.
How can the status game be played?

— The status game can be played through dominance, virtue, and success, with most games being a mixture of all three.
How does losing status affect individuals?

— Losing status can lead to humiliation and aggression, and it can have negative consequences, particularly for narcissistic individuals who have been repeatedly humiliated.
Can gaining high status lead to negative consequences?

— Yes, gaining high status can turn people into monsters as they become acclimated to it and constantly desire more, leading to potentially monstrous behavior in the pursuit of higher status.
How does technology impact the status game?

— Technology, such as social media platforms like Twitter, has expedited and intensified the status game, but the root of these impulses lies in human nature, not algorithms or social media platforms.

Timestamped Summary

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00:00
Status is a fundamental drive in human behavior, with individuals striving for admiration and respect through dominance, virtue, and success, but in times of threat, people tend to prefer dominant leaders and tighter cultures emerge.
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14:28
Humans have a strong instinct to copy high-status individuals, but we resent them because status is relative; competition can be motivating, but maximizing it leads to a miserable environment; status is highly valued and people prioritize it over money; all aspects of status are products of shared imagination and social games, and our conscience enforces behaviors based on potential rewards or punishments; our values may not be as selfless as they seem in the status game.
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25:43
The concept of status influences our behavior, and status displays are important for human well-being as they fulfill a fundamental need, with altruistic acts being rewarded by our conscience, but losing status can have negative consequences, particularly for narcissistic individuals who have been repeatedly humiliated.
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32:33
Losing status can lead to aggression and humiliation, and our brain's status game mechanism causes discomfort and lack of empathy towards those of higher status, but choosing friends who are doing worse than us can lead to a happier life.
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44:03
Gaining high status can be fulfilling but also dangerous, as it can lead to loss of friendships, distrust, and a desire for recognition; global fame and sudden spikes in status can often lead to unhappiness and ruin, while our desire for status is insatiable and can drive us to behave monstrously.
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53:14
High status can turn people into monsters as they constantly desire more, cancel culture and internet mobs are related to the status game, and technology has expedited and intensified this game on social media.
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1:01:51
Human nature drives individuals to seek connection and status, but we often resist acknowledging this truth about ourselves, creating a heroic story that distorts reality and avoids the unpleasant subconscious truth of status.
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1:14:10
The speaker discusses their excitement about a brilliant idea and their campaign for it to be the paperback cover, while also mentioning feedback and where to keep up with their work.