Status metering is like the nuclear war game the computer played in the movie War Games. The computer's conclusion after running all possible simulations: "Strange game professor. The only way to win is not to play."

John Adams had a great aphorism in agreement with the movie's fictional computer:"the human appetite for superiority is without limit." Of course, "his pomposity", as his fellow founders called him, had a famously fragile ego that made it difficult to practice what he preached.

20 years ago I in the bay of St Barth's I saw a 40 meter yacht. The next day there was a 50 meter and the 40 meter was on the other yacht was on the other side of the island. Its owner just couldn't stand being number 2.

Invest your ego in superficial stupid stuff like money or yachts, and there will always be someone above to turn you into a loser. Invest your ego in knowledge, learning and sharing it with thosewho wantwhat you have to give, and you're a sure winner.

I myself confine my adolescent id appetite for superiority to the basketball 🏀 court. It's the one place where the passage of time is an old man's best friend, with each birthday raising the potential to embarrass one's opponents.