Conversation

This question's gauche, but: given the prevalence of $400k++ comp packages for ~30-year-olds in Big Tech, why aren't there lots more "gentle[wo]man scholars"? i.e. people quitting to do non-remunerative creative projects I can think of some, but shouldn't there be thousands?

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Rob Cobb

@robcobbable

Jan 28

Getting to those spots means high conformity. "Don't be weird" in order to pass the competetive filters. If none of their friends are doing it, then it doesn't present itself as a choice, so no one does it. imo

@bryan_caplan

is the best read on conformity

econlib.org

Status Quo Bias and Conformity Signaling - Econlib

All societies reward conformity. Yes, there’s often a sweet niche for eccentric geniuses. But everyone else faces a stark trade-off: the more you want to succeed, the more you have to submit to...

Rob Cobb

@robcobbable

Jan 28

I've been wondering about the relationship between conformity (standard psych measure) and Girard's "memesis", since reading

@danwwang

's danwang.co/college-girard two people rec'd that I read "Wanting", so it's on the list now...

amazon.com

Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life

Replying to

and

It's a good book! Doesn't discuss that specific relationship—rather makes the claim that practically everyone is subject to this—but I think your question is interesting. Surely higher conformity people are more susceptible?

5:19 AM · Jan 31, 2022Twitter Web App

Replying to

and

Right, it's pretty close to my (admittedly lay) understanding of what 'conformity' means! simplypsychology.org/conformity.html bears it out "yielding to group pressures" "acceptance of group norms" "conform to the expectations of a social role" "motivated by the need for social rewards"