While it IS a human-made fiction, the "social hierarchy" is not imaginary (as you said, there is "something out there"). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_st

While it IS a human-made fiction, the "social hierarchy" is not imaginary (as you said, there is "something out there"). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_stratification http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_stratification It also depends on the society or country (ask Indians about it). Defying/misclasifiying yourself in social hierarchies can end up very badly for the one doing it, but they can be succesfully hacked (like you mention, brands prey on that). Edit: not only humans, other animals have social hierarchies as well.