Life Is A Status Game

Everything we do in life can be explained as a struggle to win more clout in a community we care about. Generally status can be gained in 3 ways:

• Dominance: Impose your will through force. This applies to dictators as much as verbally abusive partners.
• Virtue: Win points by being better. Think Michelle Obama or Mahatma Gandhi.
• Competence: Be the winner. In business like Donald Trump. Or in beauty like the Instagram models.

Status can be tied to narcissism and other negative traits, but it's the driver behind all our actions, including the positive. We could have never invented anything without it.

The more status games one plays the more happy (s)he will be.

This means being part of more groups you care about: your professional circle, family, extended family, interest groups, friends etc. The larger the number of groups, the more opportunity for scoring status points.