> Furthermore, I hypothesize that social groups develop [particular tastes] partially to foster in-group cohesion and out-group separation I'm pretty sure this

> Furthermore, I hypothesize that social groups develop [particular tastes] partially to foster in-group cohesion and out-group separation I'm pretty sure this hypothesis has substantial support from sociological studies. > which requires making the out-group seem bad. That's certainly a tactic that can be used, but it's not required. The article states that McMansions are ugly, which implies that their owners have bad taste, not that they're bad people.