"computerisation has made [status anxiety] dramatically worse"

No technology has advanced at such a pace in the history of mankind; until the internet existed, if you bought something amazing you could at least rest assured that it wouldn't tell you that it needed an overhaul when you were using it. In the very writing of this article my laptop froze for 30 seconds before presenting me with a list of programs that its integrated AutoUpdate service thought needed a fresh lick of paint.