For all we tell ourselves about merit, mobility and movement, status is the central organizing principle of modern life. We don’t have religion in the same way anymore. We don’t have community bonds (and to hell with our neighbours). What we have instead is a finely tuned antenna for where we rank.

Airports are temples of hierarchy, to the point that the pecking orders are broadcast over the intercom

Parenting is an arms race of enrichment activities

That $100,000 diploma has nothing to do with education and everything to do with the credential that puts you in a different boarding group for the rest of your career.