Last week I came across a book titled Status Anxiety written by the philosopher Alain de Botton. Since I don’t have time to read it right now I didn’t purchase it, but I was excited to discover that de Botton did a documentary on the subject and you can access it on YouTube. De Botton’s thesis is essentially this: for all the benefits associated with the modernist idea of meritocracy the possibility of social mobility has created a sort of anxiety unknown to previous generations. Since theoretically everyone in modern societies should be able to move up the social ladder “if one works hard enough” there is a depression associated with not doing so. De Botton notes that while we may not envy someone like Bill Gates for his accomplishments—because we see him as being a different, superior type of person—we do envy those we see as equals who do better than us. Anyone who is familiar with the idea of “keeping up with the Joneses” knows the gist of the idea.
I find that in the age of social media—where we can make our name known quickly whether via blogs, Twitter, YouTube, etc.—that this social anxiety is even more prevalent. As a Christian there is a very real struggle to fight against finding our worth in accomplishments and success as it is defined by the world around us. If you face this peace-stealing pressure to be a “success” then I recommend watching the documentary by de Botton or reading his book. I plan on reading it soon. If you’d prefer not to watch the longer documentary you can get the summarized version through this embedded video:
the archives near Emmaus 
Thanks… Looks interesting and makes complete sense to me. Incidentally, I’ve just not had time to keep up on your recent posts, except when the subject line may relate closely to my top focus points (I appreciate that yours are descriptive but not “hypie”.) Out of necessity to not “keep up with” the Joneses but just survive long-term (assuming I get past “young-old” to “old-old”), I’m focusing increasingly on building some present and residual income to retire debt. “Status” per se doesn’t ring my bell, but I DO want to “make a difference” beyond just my immediate circle, so have to battle that “saving the world” delusion so many of us get into.
Howard:
Interestingly, de Botton says (in the documentary and maybe in the shorter talk as well) that one thing he heard consistently from the elderly is that one of the best things that comes with aging is the pressure to impress others begins to subside.
Thanks my young friend! I think that’s a good point (tho I personally don’t ID quite yet as “elderly”… just turned 64 two wks. ago… Maybe next year, but I think I’ll go with “75 is the old 65” idea. (Unfortunately, I’m not in good athletic condition now, but at about 56 I managed to run a 7:30 mile without training very hard… thot that was fair to good. Anyway, thankful for generally good health!)
Ha! Oops, I didn’t mean to equate you with the elderly. I was just saying that as people grow older this becomes more of a reality.
I know… no offense taken whatever… was just using the occasion for some levity. (BTW, no more running miles for me now, but I do want to increase my vigorous hikes some… lots of great places here in San Diego Cty… we have more remote areas and beauty than many “outsiders” realize!)
I spent a lot of time in San Diego in 2006. It does have many places to go, both toward the ocean and toward the hills. Wonderful place.
Cool… I grew up on a large ranch in a valley 12 miles below Julian, above Ramona… So the backcountry is “in my blood”… was my main entertainment to explore, ride, hike, hunt, fish growing up…. “Natural theology” in one sense.
That’s how I feel about many places in northern California: Stinson Beach, Muir Woods, Tahoe, Lake Berryessa, the Bay itself, the Napa Valley where I was raised, and although it is not “nature,” the City of San Francisco itself. It has been difficult living in Texas. No Pacific Ocean for one. I know Texas has its spots, but nothing like northern California, or even southern California for that matter.
Brian, and certainly you should. Actually I’m partial to the greener, wetter aspect of N. Cal. myself. And I completely love the High Sierra. Also the lesser known Trinity Alps, which I got into just once, many years ago. I also totally loved my nearly 9 years in Eugene/Springfield, OR… Seemed almost like being in heaven, despite more rain and cold than one ideally wants. So I DO miss that despite my enjoyment of many areas where I live now… admittedly not AS beautiful and recreation-rich as up there.
Notwithstanding real pressures to succeed in ‘life’, worldly success isn’t the hallmark of a true believer. If Christ believers sense pressure to keep up with the Jones, this should be cause for worry.
Jesus was clear that the way of the world lead to destruction, that this path was a very ‘wide’ path, and that the narrow path would be ‘hated’ because the world hated Christ first (he did, after all, testified that it’s ways were evil).
There is a simple solution for those sensing the allure of the world, and that is to fixate one’s gaze on greater things, realizing that the rewards we pursue as Christ believers, are greater than those pursued by the Jones.
Not achieving worldly success becomes bearable in this grander perspective. It even makes being hated by the world, or having one’s utterances brought to low esteem – joyful. Praise God for those who unshackle themselves from the Jones!
@Howard:
Indeed, Oregon does have wonderful places to see and visit. The rain was a bit much for me. Northern California has wet winters, but dry summers, so life has more balance there. Sadly, Texas has hot summer and less hot summer with a few cold days. It’s terrible.
@Andrew:
Agreed, if we can keep our priorities—keep our eyes on Christ—we can avoid these destructive paths. It can be challenging though. The world around us tells us what it means to be a “success” and sometimes when we aren’t aware we come to believe it.