When we're not doing well in the game of life, our bodies prepare for crisis by switching our settings. It increases inflammation, which helps the healing of any physical wounds. And unfortunately, that same inflammation has the impact of causing cancer and having really negative long term health outcomes. So it's basically a kind of crisis response, right? Like when we feel low status in our peer group,. Our bodies are preparing for possible physical violence or negative outcomes.
“Life is a game. There’s no way to understand the human world without first understanding this. Everyone alive is playing a game whose hidden rules are built into us and that silently directs our thoughts, beliefs and actions. This game is inside us. It is us. We can’t help but play.”
So begins “The Status Game,” a new book by acclaimed writer Will Storr.
He continues: “We play for status, if only subtly, with every social interaction, every contribution we make to work, love or family life and every internet post. We play with how we dress, how we speak and what we believe. … Life is not a journey towards a perfect destination. It’s a game that never ends. And it’s the very worst of us.”
Does it have to be?
We may not be able to quit the status game, but Will says we can learn to play it better. In this episode, he explains how.
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