The Status Game (with Will Storr)

In this episode of EconTalk, Russ Roberts interviews author Will Storr about his book, "The Status Game," which explores the human desire for status and its impact on our lives. Storr argues that status is a fundamental human need, not just a want, and that our subconscious minds are constantly assessing our own status and the status of others. The conversation delves into how status affects our behavior, relationships, and even our mental and physical health. They discuss the role of judgment, the pursuit of status in various contexts such as silent meditation retreats and CrossFit, and the challenges of escaping the status game, referencing examples from hikikomori in Japan to communist societies. The discussion further explores the nuances of status as it relates to group identity, cultural shifts, and the complexities of balancing individual desires with collective well-being, concluding with advice on navigating the status game by reducing one's moral sphere and focusing on personal moral behavior.