Prestige:

Robin Hanson:

"Another way to think about prestige is that it's your 'price' on the market for friendship and association (just as sexual attractiveness is your 'price' on the mating market). As in all markets, price is driven by supply and demand. We all have a similar (and highly limited) supply of friendship to offer to others, but the demand of our friendship varies greatly from person to person. Highly prestigious individuals have many claims on their time and attention, many would-be friends lining up at their door. Less prestigious individuals, meanwhile, have fewer claims on their time and attention, and must therefore offer their friendship at a discount. And everyone, with an eye to raising their price, strive to make themselves more attractive as a friend or associate - by learning new skills, acquiring more and better tools, and polishing their charms."