I see status seeking as a constant activity of people around me. The article got me thinking how this is similar in a way to power dynamics in a band of primate

I see status seeking as a constant activity of people around me. The article got me thinking how this is similar in a way to power dynamics in a band of primates, a pecking or dominance order. I gave my car to my granddaughter a few years ago and decided to not replace it (I live in a small town and like to walk, I can borrow my wife’s car or ask friends to drive places). I often joke to people that I am poor and can’t afford a car. Recently an old friend got upset at this - she started lecturing me on how important maintaining status is. The reason social media like Facebook is so harmful is that it enables people to paint pictures of their wonderful lives to impress other people rather than simply quietly living wonderful lives. One of the most freeing things in life is realizing that personally that we are not special, that we rely on other people. We don’t have to be great at what we do, just being kind to ourselves and other people is all we need for a happy life.