Imitation and distinction operate as complementary forces rather than opposites

Evidence

But we should defend hipsters on this particular point. Simultaneous imitation and distinction aren’t hypocrisy—they’re universal human behaviors. As we learned earlier, normal status requires following certain conventions. This means imitating our peers, while distinguishing ourselves from the behaviors of lower-status groups and rivals. Meanwhile, achieving higher status requires distinguishing ourselves from our current status tier and imitating the practices of superiors. The end result is that imitation and distinction act as complementary magnetic forces on our lifestyle choices, pushing us toward our perceived superiors and away from our perceived inferiors. And the power behind those forces is status. — W. David Marx, Status and Culture, 165

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Standards of taste are relative to an era and society, not universal criteria; Great taste requires bounded originality beyond copying what one ought to like — W. David Marx, Status and Culture: How Our Desire for…, 256; Shrinking subcultures grow more extreme as core members chase escalating status — W. David Marx, Status and Culture: How Our Desire for…, 426 (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• Group distinctiveness can be reframed as complementary rather than threatening #complicates (0.78)