Academics turned entrepreneurs are a red flag IMO. The need for status becomes a habit that’s very hard to shake. Being a C student and having shaken off this need is better.
Show this thread
-
will expand “entrepreneur” to “one who faces reality”. This would include Feynman’s knowing the bird vs knowing the name. As well as certain kinds of spirituality. Also, stock traders.
Show this thread
Status is the most icky forms of non-reality b/c it is not only purely human driven, but can’t directly be consumed. Hedonism is at least based in direct sensation.
-
-
That’s not to say it’s bad. But it should be similar to public speaking under the glare of a hundred spotlights. There should be a dose of healthy fear due to the responsibility of temporarily monopolizing attention.
Show this thread -
Wanting to live in it is trying to use it as a form of surrogate home love. Living in a glass house is only fun while the novelty lasts.
Show this thread -
I suspect we’re at or nearing a tipping point where these status games are starting to spill into the “real world”. Credentialed journalists are having to compete with podcasts and bloggers. Academics with those learning in public.
Show this thread -
This isn’t necessarily good though it does seem more meritocratic. Even systems that seem incredibly broken are often working very well at something specific.
Show this thread -
Going corporate or professional means to bind status and ability. While there are downsides, it also generates social stability.
Show this thread -
Stabilized status means people know where to look. It creates order and reliability. This allows navigation and orientation, even if the landmarks are mcdonalds, apple products, and engineering/doctor degrees.
Show this thread -
If the sun came up in a different direction everyday it wouldn’t be fun novelty. It would mean something has gone terribly awry.
Show this thread -
Without externalized markers, the only way to navigate is based on popularity. The choice is between a faceless bureaucratic inhuman standard, or a fallible human. Each can be equally tyrannical.
Show this thread -
Human driven maps tend to have a shorter shelf life BUT they are self healing and have some flexibility. There’s room for heroic redemption stories. Moral judgement is both its greatest weakness and strength.
Show this thread -
Which is why maps that are driven by status are so unreliable. Pure status is fashionable flux so the only reliable anchor is self. The foundation of a status map is narcissism. The self *cannot* change b/c so much relies on it to be stable.
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.