From cupcakes to private jets, how the quest for status drives culture

What is culture, where does it come from and why does it change? <a href="http://www.neomarxisme.com/">W. David Marx</a>, author of the new book <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/659558/status-and-culture-by-w-david-marx/"><em>Status and Culture: How Our Desire for Social Rank Creates Taste, Identity, Art, Fashion, and Constant Change</em></a>, says the answers come from our desire for prestige. Marx tells guest host <a href="https://www.npr.org/people/144449221/elise-hu">Elise Hu</a> how status has historically worked to drive trends like gourmet cupcakes or dark wash jeans, how the internet can lead to cultural stagnation, and ways we can redefine status to build a more equitable society.<br/><br/><em>Status and Culture</em> is out Sept. 6.<br/><br/><em>You can follow us on Twitter </em><a href="http://twitter.com/NPRItsBeenaMin"><em>@NPRItsBeenAMin</em></a><em> and email us at </em><a href="mailto:IBAM@npr.org"><em>IBAM@npr.org</em></a><em>.</em>