Penguin UK - Status Anxiety

'Every adult life could be defined by two great love stories. The first - the story of our quest for sexual love - is well known and well - charted. The second - the story of our quest for love from the world - is a more secret and shameful tale. And yet this second love story is no less intense than the first.' There are few more powerful desires than the wish to be thought of a success, worthy of dignity, respect and to be liked. We long for status and dread its opposite.