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People used to signal status with luxury goods. Today they do it with luxury beliefs /1
In the past, only high status people could afford luxury goods. But today goods are more affordable. Plus, it's not so trendy to signal status with material purchases /2
This is a problem for high status people who want control /3
Decoupling status from material goods redirected it to beliefs, opinions.
An opinion about a social issue is the new powdered wig /4
An opinion about a social issue is the new powdered wig /4
People are sheep. They want to imitate high status people.
But when lots of people adopt an opinion, the opinion no longer high status /5
But when lots of people adopt an opinion, the opinion no longer high status /5
High status people then adopt a new belief to distinguish themselves. The cycle repeats /6
Signaling status with luxury beliefs reduces guilt, too. Not everyone can purchase a luxury good. But anyone can adopt a belief. See how inclusive I am /7
It’s easier than ever to imitate a high status belief. Could be another reason why social trends have changed so rapidly as of late /8
I expanded this into a brief essay on luxury beliefs for the @nypost sunday edition here: https://nypost.com/2019/08/17/luxury-beliefs-are-the-latest-status-symbol-for-rich-americans/
I discussed luxury beliefs with @glennbeck (starts around 27:30) https://podcasts.apple.com/fm/podcast/best-program-guests-eric-bolling-craig-strazzeri-rob/id620967489?i=1000447936841 @theblaze
Thanks to @amandavanstone for welcoming me to her program to talk about #luxurybeliefs (starts 27:05) https://radio.abc.net.au/programitem/pezLjaXZyQ
Had a great discussion about #luxurybeliefs with @ABDanielleSmith https://omny.fm/shows/danielle-smith/luxury-beliefs-are-the-latest-status-symbol-for-ri
Preparing a sequel essay. Reading Veblen's "The Theory of the Leisure Class"
Veblen says the affluent view common goods as distasteful and "odious." Indicators of low status. They want luxury goods to distinguish themselves
Or today, luxury beliefs...
Veblen says the affluent view common goods as distasteful and "odious." Indicators of low status. They want luxury goods to distinguish themselves
Or today, luxury beliefs...
The sequel to my original luxury beliefs thread and essay
One of @Quillette's most popular of 2019 https://quillette.com/2019/11/16/thorstein-veblens-theory-of-the-leisure-class-a-status-update/
One of @Quillette's most popular of 2019 https://quillette.com/2019/11/16/thorstein-veblens-theory-of-the-leisure-class-a-status-update/
