3 ms·
Heh this is only a very mild version of status obsession. To a degree it's actually a good thing to want, so long as you stay committed to doing the actual work
by lordnacho 7y ago
Heh this is only a very mild version of status obsession. To a degree it's actually a good thing to want, so long as you stay committed to doing the actual work of getting successful.
What amuses me to no end is when I see a rich guy who wants to keep being in the news. As if to say "see, I actually deserve all this wealth". I've seen several of these people over the years. Somehow the media keep calling them to comment on all manner of things unrelated to their field of expertise. One guy I've seen has articles about how he's a great art lover. Then one about how his wife worked so hard to help him. Then commentary on how startups work. Then he buys a sports team. And another. And another. Everythings he does has to be in the news. Another guy is a little bit wiser about it, but also sticks his comments in where he really isn't an expert (economics, politics). Sprinkle in a bit of bragging about expensive wines and restuarants, and it just looks like an old child doing the "look at me" routine.
I really don't get it. I suppose that external validation is a huge factor for some people, something similar to substance addiction. People can't see it, but they are swapping dignity for attention.
- jacknews 7y ago"People can't see it, but they are swapping dignity for attention." Nice observation, though in rare cases not necessarily true. The thing is, as you point out, status does actually bring potentially huge benefits; People start to come to you with proposals, rather than the other way. Success/Status attracts opportunity. So to some extent we're hardwired to strive for it.
- tonyedgecombe 7y agoA friend of mine who was visibly successful in his business told me he got to the point where he would say no to every proposal. Something he thought would be a benefit quickly became a burden.
- lordnacho 7y agoThe people I'm talking about are beyond needing proposals. The only point of getting proposals at this point is to get more flattery. This is not to say it isn't useful for society to have some guys floating around funding new projects, just the point of it for them does not seem to be to find interesting projects to help. You can help people quietly.
- lr4444lr 7y agoWhat does that have to do with dignity? Dignity can mean choosing to starve rather than take $10 to buy a meal if the person dangling it demands you do some trick like a trained dog for his amusement. It's about choosing your actions on your own morals rather than on someone elses.
- pjc50 7y agoDignity is really, really undervalued in the present era. Perhaps because it's hard to monetise.
- scandox 7y agoDignity is fragile and difficult to measure. We live in an age of obsessive measuring. Unrecorded experience has become an object of dread and suspicion. I would say dignity is almost an offense to the spirit of the age.
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- flycaliguy 7y agoI think you are underestimating the promotional value of media coverage. It may not be about them at all. They may simply be leveraging their reach to get the word out about something they invested in.