[todfox]

Why do humans have to seek status? Wouldn't we all be happier and healthier if we stopped caring about where we are in the social pecking order?

[medvezhenok]

Short answer: because we're genetically programmed to care about it. And no amount of reasoning or handwaving or logical thought will change what the genes encode.

Sensitivity to status exists in all primates - not just humans. It's one of the most basic instincts of an animal.

We are just vessels for the reproduction of our genetic code (although we believe in our own free will). Status is directly linked to the probability of the genes reproducing, ergo short of some weird chemical drugs, we will never be able to ignore it.

[antisthenes]

Because status lets you procreate and have offspring. See any mammalian group organization.