In "The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less," Barry Schwartz discusses the concept of positional goods, which are items whose value is determined significantly by their scarcity and status within a social hierarchy. These goods are not just valued for their utility but for what they represent socially, meaning that a person’s ability to obtain them is closely tied to their status or position in society. Hirsch’s notion of positional goods illustrates how access to certain items can create disparities among individuals. The pursuit of these goods often leads to competition and anxiety, as individuals strive to elevate their social standing through possessions that signal wealth or success, reinforcing the societal stratification and making personal satisfaction harder to achieve.

In "The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less," Barry Schwartz discusses the concept of positional goods, which are items whose value is determined significantly by their scarcity and status within a social hierarchy. These goods are not just valued for their utility but for what they represent socially, meaning that a person’s ability to obtain them is closely tied to their status or position in society.

Hirsch’s notion of positional goods illustrates how access to certain items can create disparities among individuals. The pursuit of these goods often leads to competition and anxiety, as individuals strive to elevate their social standing through possessions that signal wealth or success, reinforcing the societal stratification and making personal satisfaction harder to achieve.