I think a lot of work is being done by the phrase “have functional value” in your description. Wearing head covering keeps God happy, standing for the anthem keeps you from being harassed in the press. Is all signaling, or all group-membership-signaling silly? Ok, probably yes. And really, for group distinction, the sillier the better.
But this means that almost all online social behavior is silly. Huh, now that I write it, I see how valid the description is.
Ah, I hadn’t read the link. I still think this is pretty much signaling of conformity/membership and not anything more. I think the author undervalues many people’s desire to belong, though. The idea that people care significantly more about property rights than dress codes can easily be disproven by shoplifting a candy bar, then attempting to purchase one while naked.
There is competition between genes promoting exploitation (free-loading) and genes preventing being exploited (promoting conformity). Humans are Adaptation Executors so this is not about understanding what is better game-theoretically but feeling (having some instinct, drive, affect) something that leads to the adaptive behavior. Belonging is a feeling related to promoting collaboration and somehow that includes the willingness to follow even silly rules.
I think a lot of work is being done by the phrase “have functional value” in your description. Wearing head covering keeps God happy, standing for the anthem keeps you from being harassed in the press. Is all signaling, or all group-membership-signaling silly? Ok, probably yes. And really, for group distinction, the sillier the better.
But this means that almost all online social behavior is silly. Huh, now that I write it, I see how valid the description is.
Yeah, “functional value” is too simplistic. The original article defines silly rules as
But I see this as distinct from status signaling. Maybe we need a typology of signaling.
Ah, I hadn’t read the link. I still think this is pretty much signaling of conformity/membership and not anything more. I think the author undervalues many people’s desire to belong, though. The idea that people care significantly more about property rights than dress codes can easily be disproven by shoplifting a candy bar, then attempting to purchase one while naked.
You’re comparing a minimal property rights violation with a maximal dress code violation.
That’s what it feels from the inside.
There is competition between genes promoting exploitation (free-loading) and genes preventing being exploited (promoting conformity). Humans are Adaptation Executors so this is not about understanding what is better game-theoretically but feeling (having some instinct, drive, affect) something that leads to the adaptive behavior. Belonging is a feeling related to promoting collaboration and somehow that includes the willingness to follow even silly rules.