Not only that, but I’ve done research on this topic.
You started off with a broad question that I thought was worth answering.
In general, many (most?) people fairly actively do not try to make the pie bigger via their actions, even if their words say otherwise. In my opinion, encouraging people to make the pie bigger via their actions is a task worth taking, and this expands beyond the specific topic of social standing.
I addressed your abstract question that applies to many contexts with an answer that also applies to many contexts (but with a concrete contextual example… as examples often are).
I try not to engage in the HN game of moving the target and/or whataboutism, but sometimes the topic warrants making statements for others to read. This thread is one of those times.
