This is like watching Veblen's Theory of the Leisure Class but upgraded for our Attention Economy Age.
In the past the Signal was - look at me, look at all these luxury items I have accumulated, look at my leisure activities, you want to be like me - do what I say.
Today the Signal is - I am so smart, Farmer Joe and his herd of illiterates has validated I am a genius, look at my networth, look at my ideas, you want to be like me - pay ATTENTION to me - do what I say.
In the past the Signal was - look at me, look at all these luxury items I have accumulated, look at my leisure activities, you want to be like me - do what I say.
Today the Signal is - I am so smart, Farmer Joe and his herd of illiterates has validated I am a genius, look at my networth, look at my ideas, you want to be like me - pay ATTENTION to me - do what I say.