I'm playing several games here, but none of them are on the shelves behind me.

I'm playing a status game.

More importantly, I'm helping my children to play status games too.

It's one way we help them to keep masking. A🧵that might help you too.#CovidIsNotOver #MaskUp pic.twitter.com/TWDMiMNRAG

— Nina Wildflower (@Ninawildflower) June 30, 2024

This is a "explain everything using 1 concept" book that reduces human social behaviour to a competition for status.

It's accessable and might help Coviding teenagers understand social pressures, though it's not about Covid.

I recommend everyone study some social psychology. pic.twitter.com/g1BpLYYyta

— Nina Wildflower (@Ninawildflower) June 30, 2024

I'm lucky enough to have some online status that helps me manage, day-to-day.

But my children are not online. We have to build them up in other ways.

They regularly play Dungeons & Dragons (other games too) with friends who don't mask. This has helped them gain status. pic.twitter.com/5F7UY08vKo

— Nina Wildflower (@Ninawildflower) June 30, 2024

one of their friends by inviting him to be "Dungeon Master" for the first time, and supporting him in the role.

This also boosts my children's status. You can gain status by being a decent person.

Wearing a mask can result in a boost to your status, if you play the game right. pic.twitter.com/E0W6qAWbIG

— Nina Wildflower (@Ninawildflower) June 30, 2024

The cruel flipside is that most children haven't been able to sustain masking. Most adults too.

The concern over *loss of status* has been too great.

*personally I prefer explanations at the level of simple conformity – people don't mask because those around them don't mask.

— Nina Wildflower (@Ninawildflower) June 30, 2024

Personally I think "allies" help more than "status" – hence the very, very large number of mask pics I post.

Anyway, adult maskers, if YOU want status, what can you do?

Are there any status games you can play?

You probably recognise them. pic.twitter.com/NpeeFwdsQO

— Nina Wildflower (@Ninawildflower) June 30, 2024

Associate yourself with other amazing people. Praise them. Be an ally. Follow & follow-back.

I've done this lots!

Baby Can I Hold You (Tracy Chapman cover)

This works in real life, and online.

But be humble – people are very sensitive to "tall poppies".#CovidIsNotOver pic.twitter.com/ZTOp12H1F0

— Nina Wildflower (@Ninawildflower) June 30, 2024

you can still attack them for being insufficiently pious, or you can question their motives.

On the one hand it might make it harder to work together. On the other, it may stop people making silly mistakes.

Terry Pratchett would have found us amusing (text – "Small Gods"). pic.twitter.com/cSpbDnt9SZ

— Nina Wildflower (@Ninawildflower) June 30, 2024

You can also gain status in thousands of different ways.

Animals might have pecking orders, or an alpha in the group, but humans have limitless opportunities to form groups and compete for status. Sometimes we call them "hobbies". Sometimes we are fans.

Obsessions (original) pic.twitter.com/wvwf26LtfG

— Nina Wildflower (@Ninawildflower) June 30, 2024

I'm not going to spoil the book, though there is a chapter on antivaxxers.

If you are a musician and you are missing out on opportunities to boost your status because you are protecting your health, or your family, please get in touch.

If you want a follow, ask – more status! pic.twitter.com/7iW9uCiFuI

— Nina Wildflower (@Ninawildflower) June 30, 2024