I think I must have been unclear on this point. What I am rejecting is conformity to an image that exists in other people’s minds; I am refusing to behave in accordance with the stereotyped expectations of people who do assign me high status. So Gandalf, in fact, is an appropriate illustration, because if status-seeking makes you behave like the Tolkien character that people expect you to be, that could also make you stupid. (Similarly if you behave like Frodo, i.e., never noticing the fact that you’re a hero.)
I think I must have been unclear on this point. What I am rejecting is conformity to an image that exists in other people’s minds; I am refusing to behave in accordance with the stereotyped expectations of people who do assign me high status. So Gandalf, in fact, is an appropriate illustration, because if status-seeking makes you behave like the Tolkien character that people expect you to be, that could also make you stupid. (Similarly if you behave like Frodo, i.e., never noticing the fact that you’re a hero.)
Isn’t Sam the hero?
I shan’t deny that Sam is a hero, though his unawareness of the fact is three times worse than Frodo’s.