[cpcallen]

> I gravitated to those who were chill, and perplexed anyone who tried to play the Status Game by losing on purpose.

I think this is also a sort of power play, but also an amusing one that I too enjoy - e.g., it's quite fun, when questioned about what I do by someone who obviously cares about social status, to not mention my well-paid job working at a FANG company but instead talk about working as a dance teacher.

[yboris]

Reminds me of how in high school, there are kids that are smart and want to show it off (raise their hands, answer teacher's questions), and there are those that are on the "next level" -- they don't even need to prove to everyone else that they know the answers, so they never raise their hands.

In personal conversations some are eager to share that they are doing something amazing, but those on the "next level" don't try to impress the others :P

[kvb]

Yes, there has been some study of this phenomenon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countersignaling

[anthonypasq]

lol. This comment is total projection