The article explores the implications of a future driven by artificial intelligence (AI) on economic structures and social status. Philip Trammell and Dwarkesh Patel argue for taxing capital as automation advances. The concern is that once AIs outperform humans in jobs, wages will plummet, leading to increased inequality unless there is significant wealth redistribution. They reference the Baumol effect, which suggests that as long as human labor remains necessary, wages will stay high, but this is challenged by automation's potential to remove labor as a bottleneck entirely. Historically, wealth was often defined by social hierarchy—masters versus servants—rather than money, which was less significant in pre-modern economies. This changed with the rise of the modern economy where specialization and complex networks of exchange became essential. Despite increased material wealth today, many people still feel unhappy, suggesting that status competition drives much of human behavior. The article notes that as societies become wealthier, their birth rates tend to drop, challenging the assumption that more resources lead to larger families. Looking to the future, the author proposes that even if AI dominates economic output, it won't eliminate human jobs entirely. The example of the Birkin handbag illustrates this point well—its high price and exclusivity signify status, making it a Veblen good. The demand for such goods increases with their price, contradicting typical economic principles. This demonstrates that as AI takes over routine tasks, humans may still find value and employment in areas tied to status signaling and exclusivity. The underlying theme is that status remains a powerful driver in human behavior and could shape economic interactions in an AI-centric future.