But how is "I can get by very well without that newfangled thing" not countersignaling? Even if it's completely devoid of deliberation it still is. And from the

But how is "I can get by very well without that newfangled thing" not countersignaling? Even if it's completely devoid of deliberation it still is. And from the upstart's perspective this is written for, they can certainly try to cosplay grey eminence from the start, but that sure has its price. If they succeed nonetheless, good for them, but telling them to try would be bad advice.