Discussions of “status” here and on OB sometimes sound like D&D geeks arguing about the rules for a Status attribute.
Sometimes, yes. However, in many situations, the mere recognition that status considerations play an important role—even if stated in the crudest possible character-sheet sort of way—can be a tremendous first step in dispelling widespread, deeply entrenched naive and misguided views of human behavior and institutions.
Unfortunately, since a precise technical terminology for discussing the details of human status dynamic doesn’t (yet?) exist, often it’s very difficult to do any better.
RichardKennaway:
Sometimes, yes. However, in many situations, the mere recognition that status considerations play an important role—even if stated in the crudest possible character-sheet sort of way—can be a tremendous first step in dispelling widespread, deeply entrenched naive and misguided views of human behavior and institutions.
Unfortunately, since a precise technical terminology for discussing the details of human status dynamic doesn’t (yet?) exist, often it’s very difficult to do any better.