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OK, not gonna lie. I was not particularly interested in today's episode of the podcast once I learned what the subject was going to be. However, after reading the (presumably condensed version in this) essay, I'm tentatively looking forward to it. I had expected you'd characterize NFTs (which I think are just kinda dumb) as the "nerd" thing, with the "jocks" not getting it - a banal take which I figured would be pretty boring and not particularly insightful. The fact that you're going the other direction - pointing to the culture around NFTs as an evolution of "jock" culture? That seems more interesting. (and yeah, I'm also selfishly interested in hearing a take in which "my" group is identified with the position I find more persuasive, I'm human...)

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Rich people have always spent fortunes on collectable art. They could say it was so they could enjoy the beautiful art, but honestly to most of us a high-quality reproduction is just as beautiful as an original piece. The real reason for spending millions on a Picasso is for the social status that it conveys. The NFT strips away the pretense that the "art" is anything but a status display. I assume the "ape" meme is a whimsical reference to the primitive simian behavior of seeking social status through possession of coveted objects.

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