It makes sense that this was noticed long ago, although personally I cribbed it from Krugman's "VSPs". It's easy to noticed in everyday life though. Most peopl

It makes sense that this was noticed long ago, although personally I cribbed it from Krugman's "VSPs". It's easy to noticed in everyday life though. Most people don't have the time/energy/incentive/desire/background knowledge/etc to form independent opinions, so they pick up the opinions of people who speak to their identity. If you see yourself (and want to be seen as) a "creative type with good taste", you'll just read DaringFireball and repeat whatever Gruber says. If you want to be "principled, anti-establishment", you'll crib Stallman, etc, etc.