Social status is determined by a social media ranking that dictates where one lives, how one travels, what one eats, and other aspects of daily life. A ranking of 4.2 blocks access to desired housing while a 4.5 ranking would enable it. An embedded app rates every interaction and shares updates, granting five-star status to those who appear nice without seeming groveling while negative actions produce one-star reviews. Those whose scores drop too low become second-class citizens who face social shunning, exclusion from workplaces, higher lease costs, and other penalties. Corporate promotions require at least 25,000 social media followers to purchase high-value items, confirming that only the highest caste of social status qualifies. Social scoring evaluates influence through followers, friends, and postings on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, then posts judgments online in the form of a score. This process creates social media caste systems in which high scores receive preferential treatment from retailers, employers, and dates while low scores produce exclusion. In China a government social credit system bans citizens with low ratings from airplanes and trains, applies penalties for unpaid fines or spreading false information, and will become mandatory for every citizen by 2020 with rewards or punishments assigned according to government-approved behavior. The United States credit rating system serves as a precursor because purchases on credit already require a sufficient FICO score. Engagement with social media platforms through likes or other ratings contributes to the scoring of others and programs acceptance of the broader system.

Satisfaction in life is not derived from wealth, status in society, or any material thing. Material things can provide pleasure, and that is good, but like everything physical, the pleasure is momentary compared to the eternal. It is the eternal, spiritual relationship with our Creator, in which God gifts us with what we need to use our lives wisely, that brings the balanced and sustained measure of satisfaction. Materialism is the modern label given to the ancient philosophical doctrine that physical well-being and material possessions constitute the highest good in life. Solomon shows that materialism is a poor source for seeking satisfaction in one's life.

Young children have very little control over their lives and are fully dependent on others. They are not worried about what clothes they are wearing or what hairstyle they have. They could care less about their status with society. The disciples disputed among themselves on the road about who would be greatest. Jesus perceived their prideful ambition. He taught that if anyone desires to be first he shall be last of all and servant of all. Young children are destitute of ambition, pride, and haughtiness. They do not even know how to be hypocritical. Jesus warned His disciples to beware of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. God hates hypocrisy and pride.