Mastering the inbox: Navigating email as a game of social hierarchy

Navigating a flood of emails after a break can feel overwhelming, but behavioural scientist Dario Maestripieri's insights suggest treating it as a status game. His book, "Games Primates Play," highlights how email dynamics mirror social hierarchies among primates, where dominance influences interactions. The burden to respond thoughtfully often falls on lower-status individuals seeking favours, while higher-status individuals can afford to be selective. Recognising these patterns can transform inbox dread into a strategic challenge, making email management less of a chore and more of a game.

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By F.D. Flam

(Bloomberg Opinion) —

If you're confronting an endless string of unread emails after a long weekend or summer vacation, try thinking of responding as a game. A status game.

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