I think there’s a missing element from the description of “strong favorable signals must be costly”. In fact, they must be costly TO FAKE. They can be cheap when honest.
I think you have to accept the truth of your observations (it’s not tautological if it requires evidence to support, and you happen to have that evidence). A whole lot of humans have difficulty with impulse control, and with subverting their natural reactions and desires in order to appear friendlier and more vulnerable than their inside view of themselves supports.
I think there’s a missing element from the description of “strong favorable signals must be costly”. In fact, they must be costly TO FAKE. They can be cheap when honest.
I think you have to accept the truth of your observations (it’s not tautological if it requires evidence to support, and you happen to have that evidence). A whole lot of humans have difficulty with impulse control, and with subverting their natural reactions and desires in order to appear friendlier and more vulnerable than their inside view of themselves supports.