Caroline O'Donoghue: Four thoughts on the return of Status

Caroline O'Donoghue

Recently, I read Mr Burns, an Anna Washburn play about a post-apocalyptic world where the survivors are attempting to re-start the entertainment industry by performing half- remembered episodes of The Simpsons to paying audiences. They even perform the ad breaks, but are constantly having discussions about what ads they should perform, and whether it will create existential panic in the audience. 

“I think people are ready for Status again,” one character suggests. She’s hopeful that society has recovered enough that people will be able accept inequality, and the idea that some people have nice things, while others won’t.