- Joined
- Apr 19, 2023
- Messages
- 41
Rep Bank
$545
$545
User Power: 293%
TLDR: improve your ability to spot quality instead of relying on status markers. You'll get better outcomes for less effort.
Long version:
I've had this concept in my head for a while now and this is as good of a place to share as any...
Status used to keep us alive. Now it mostly keeps us distracted.
When we lived in hunter-gatherer societies, status was crucial to survival. If you were accepted and respected within the group, you’d be first in line for the resources that society gathered. Status also acted as a signal of quality, and over time, people began equating status with genuine value.
The problem today is that modern status signals have been hacked to shortcut quality, and those shortcuts are often false. Our brains haven’t caught up. We still respond to symbols of prestige because of social proof, dopamine rewards, and fear of exclusion. These instincts once kept us safe but now keep us blindly consuming or working for things that aren't important.
For example, a brand might price its clothes at a premium, yet the actual quality is mediocre.
Or, in status-driven industries like PR or fashion, employers can underpay staff because workers feel they’re being compensated in status. The same thing happens when a household-name company underpays by 30 to 40 percent below market rate simply because people want the association of working for that company.
In my opinion, this is complete madness. Our evolutionary wiring hasn’t updated to modern conditions. Instead of chasing status, which society uses to keep you trapped chasing things you don't need or want, we should train ourselves to evaluate quality in and of itself. To my brand example, see how high-quality a T-shirt is based on the durability of materials, craftmanship in creation and consistency of the brand's previous products.
The upside of this is huge. You start seeing when a status marker actually reflects real quality and when it doesn’t. You also uncover underrated, hidden gems others overlook, gaining an edge. e.g. a new brand with high quality but relatively low priced products.
For example, you might be using a popular, bloated piece of software because it’s the industry standard. Then you discover a little-known alternative that’s faster, cheaper, and equally reliable. In that scenario, it makes complete sense to jump ship because real performance always outweighs perceived prestige.
Now in case you decide that status is a must, make sure you do your due dilligence to know what or who you're buying into is genuinely quality and not cosplaying as so.
Long version:
I've had this concept in my head for a while now and this is as good of a place to share as any...
Status used to keep us alive. Now it mostly keeps us distracted.
When we lived in hunter-gatherer societies, status was crucial to survival. If you were accepted and respected within the group, you’d be first in line for the resources that society gathered. Status also acted as a signal of quality, and over time, people began equating status with genuine value.
The problem today is that modern status signals have been hacked to shortcut quality, and those shortcuts are often false. Our brains haven’t caught up. We still respond to symbols of prestige because of social proof, dopamine rewards, and fear of exclusion. These instincts once kept us safe but now keep us blindly consuming or working for things that aren't important.
For example, a brand might price its clothes at a premium, yet the actual quality is mediocre.
Or, in status-driven industries like PR or fashion, employers can underpay staff because workers feel they’re being compensated in status. The same thing happens when a household-name company underpays by 30 to 40 percent below market rate simply because people want the association of working for that company.
In my opinion, this is complete madness. Our evolutionary wiring hasn’t updated to modern conditions. Instead of chasing status, which society uses to keep you trapped chasing things you don't need or want, we should train ourselves to evaluate quality in and of itself. To my brand example, see how high-quality a T-shirt is based on the durability of materials, craftmanship in creation and consistency of the brand's previous products.
The upside of this is huge. You start seeing when a status marker actually reflects real quality and when it doesn’t. You also uncover underrated, hidden gems others overlook, gaining an edge. e.g. a new brand with high quality but relatively low priced products.
For example, you might be using a popular, bloated piece of software because it’s the industry standard. Then you discover a little-known alternative that’s faster, cheaper, and equally reliable. In that scenario, it makes complete sense to jump ship because real performance always outweighs perceived prestige.
Now in case you decide that status is a must, make sure you do your due dilligence to know what or who you're buying into is genuinely quality and not cosplaying as so.
Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member:
Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)
Membership Required: Upgrade to Expose Nearly 1,000,000 Posts
Ready to Unleash the Millionaire Entrepreneur in You?
Become a member of the Fastlane Forum, the private community founded by best-selling author and multi-millionaire entrepreneur MJ DeMarco. Since 2007, MJ DeMarco has poured his heart and soul into the Fastlane Forum, helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time, win their financial freedom, and live their best life.
With more than 39,000 posts packed with insights, strategies, and advice, you’re not just a member—you’re stepping into MJ’s inner-circle, a place where you’ll never be left alone.
Become a member and gain immediate access to...
- Active Community: Ever join a community only to find it DEAD? Not at Fastlane! As you can see from our home page, life-changing content is posted dozens of times daily.
- Exclusive Insights: Direct access to MJ DeMarco’s daily contributions and wisdom.
- Powerful Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of successful entrepreneurs who can offer mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities.
- Proven Strategies: Learn from the best in the business, with actionable advice and strategies that can accelerate your success.
"You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with the most..."
Who are you surrounding yourself with? Surround yourself with millionaire success. Join Fastlane today!
Join Today
