How ought I distinguish telling entertaining stories (which, on your account, is a productive activity that I would be right to respond warmly to) from bragging (which, on your account, is a valueless activity uncorrelated with productivity that I would be right to be annoyed by)?
Totally subjective, of course! But behaviors at both extremes are instantly identifiable. Crudely, prosocial stories actually entertain, self-seeking stories tend to make the teller look good. Savvy people, of course, can do both simultaneously.
Isn’t your impression that people aren’t punishing unproductive status seeking based on a difference in this subjective evaluation, then? Or do you think that people tolerate bragging even if they are not entertained by it?
How ought I distinguish telling entertaining stories (which, on your account, is a productive activity that I would be right to respond warmly to) from bragging (which, on your account, is a valueless activity uncorrelated with productivity that I would be right to be annoyed by)?
Totally subjective, of course! But behaviors at both extremes are instantly identifiable. Crudely, prosocial stories actually entertain, self-seeking stories tend to make the teller look good. Savvy people, of course, can do both simultaneously.
Isn’t your impression that people aren’t punishing unproductive status seeking based on a difference in this subjective evaluation, then? Or do you think that people tolerate bragging even if they are not entertained by it?