{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Curiosity Chronicle","title":"The Scarlet Robe Effect","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":446,"description":"A fancy robe nearly destroyed a philosopher's life.\nIn 1765, Denis Diderot's financial means went from meager to extravagant. Soon thereafter, he came to own a fancy scarlet dressing robe.Diderot liked the status that the fancy robe conferred on him but quickly felt the remainder of his possessions could not compare.\nSo, in quick succession, he purchased a new leather chair. New shoes. An elaborate wooden desk.\nAll of which seemed appropriately matched to his lovely scarlet robe.\nOr, perhaps more important, appropriately matched to the type of person who wore such a robe.\nI call this phenomenon the Scarlet Robe Effect: A single status purchase can create a new identity. Each new purchase chases the identity that the last one created.\nIn today's piece, I explored the perils of bought status games and shared a simple question you can use to cut through the noise:\nWould I buy this thing if I couldn't show or tell anyone about it?\n•••\nThis episode brought to you by:DeleteMe - DeleteMe makes it quick, easy, and safe to remove your personal data online. Origin Financial - Your personal AI Financial Advisor. Track your spending, investments, and net worth—all in one place.Innerbody Labs - A Higher Standard. After reviewing thousands of health products, we built formulas we wished existed.Lemon - The Al agent that turns your voice instructions into finished tasks.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/4nO1oo__jWE5MpZsRfwEO_6q4py16kwv8WwJybce4FA/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzMxOTcwLzE2NzEx/MzU5MDctYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}