> people care more about how much they earn compared to their neighbors
Evolution should select for this "comparative success" behavior, possibly even if its only advantage is as a signal for mating.
Evolution should select for this "comparative success" behavior, possibly even if its only advantage is as a signal for mating.
In most cities, housing prices are based on land value, not construction costs. And land value is entirely based on demand: what your neighbours are willing to pay for the same lot.
And most services are priced based on the salaries of your neighbours - the more you earn relative to them, the more of their time you can afford.
[1] http://io9.com/how-the-pseudoscience-of-social-darwinism-nea...