Modern Adaptations of Pelevin's Hierarchy of Flexing for 2025

There's a brilliant cult Russian writer named Victor Pelevin. Back in the early internet days, he wrote a devastatingly insightful and ironic post about flexing on LiveJournal (think Tumblr but Russian and from the 2000s). The post was so punchy and dense that it became a hit — still getting reposted and quoted to this day.

Most people don't even remember where it came from anymore, and some still pass it off as their own.

Below are 5 modern adaptations of Pelevin's hierarchy of flexing, reimagined for 2025–2026.

5 Modern Adaptations of Pelevin's Hierarchy of Flexing for 2026

Version 1: Tech Flexes

Level One

• Latest iPhone Pro Max
• Tesla Model S
• Reading self-help books
• Hating on TikTok
• Dating an influencer

Level Two

• Nothing Phone or Fairphone
• Xiaomi electric scooter
• Reading Yuval Harari
• Hating on hustle culture
• Dating a UX designer

Level Three

• Working remotely on whatever device
• Using car-sharing apps
• Reading tech blogs
• Meditating via apps
• Equal partnership relationships

Level Four

• Digital detox
• Selling all your gadgets
• Moving to a co-working space in Bali
• Achieving work-life balance

Final Level

• Quietly coming back
• Coding on a corporate laptop
• Playing mobile games
• Loving the person next to you
• Knowing that any kid with Python can change the world

Version 2: Eco Flexes

Level One

• Tesla Cybertruck
• Shopping organic at Whole Foods
• Reading biohacking blogs
• Hating on fast food
• Dating a fitness trainer

Level Two

• $3,000 bicycle
• Local farmers markets
• Reading permaculture books
• Hating on consumerism
• Dating an eco-activist

Level Three

• Public transportation
• Growing microgreens
• Reading climate research papers
• Minimalist relationships

Level Four

• Off-grid commune
• Complete rejection of civilization
• Becoming one with nature

Final Level

• Moving back to the city
• Quietly sorting your recycling
• Shopping at regular stores
• Loving your family
• Knowing that behind every plastic bag might be someone's conscious choice

Version 3: Crypto Flexes

Level One

• Lambo bought with Bitcoin
• Cold wallets
• Reading whitepapers
• Hating on fiat
• Dating a crypto trader

Level Two

• Modest DeFi portfolio
• Hardware wallet
• Studying blockchain technology
• Hating on speculators
• DAO-based relationships

Level Three

• Salary in stablecoins
• P2P transactions
• Reading about Web3
• Decentralization philosophy in relationships

Level Four

• Building your own blockchain
• Complete anonymity
• Digital enlightenment

Final Level

• Using regular banks
• Keeping cash
• Loving real people
• Knowing that behind any shitcoin might be a genius

Version 4: Mental Health Flexes

Level One

• Personal therapist
• NLP courses
• Reading Jordan Peterson
• Hating on "toxicity"
• Dating a life coach

Level Two

• Group therapy
• Mindfulness practices
• Reading Nassim Taleb
• Hating on self-improvement
• Conscious relationships

Level Three

• Self-analysis through journaling
• Free meditation apps
• Studying neuroscience
• Embracing solitude

Level Four

• Silent retreat
• Complete ego dissolution
• Enlightenment through suffering

Final Level

• Just living
• Sometimes being sad
• Binge-watching Netflix
• Hugging your family
• Knowing that behind any neurotic might be a sage

Version 5: Meta Flexes

Level One

• Meta Quest VR headset
• NFT collection (a market showing signs of recovery in 2026 with rising prices and trading volumes, though still limited and overshadowed by broader market shifts — experts predict a pivot toward utility-based NFTs, though the market remains far from its 2022 peak)
• Reading about the metaverse (by 2026, the metaverse will become a key business innovation: 30% of global organizations will have products integrating AR, VR, blockchain, and AI — significant investments in emerging tech are expected)
• Hating on "meatspace"
• Dating a 3D avatar

Level Two

• AR glasses
• Creating digital art
• Studying immersive technologies
• Hating on materialism
• Virtual relationships

Level Three

• Living in mixed reality
• Creating VR content
• Exploring the limits of perception
• Embracing hybrid identity

Level Four

• Full immersion in virtual reality
• Rejecting the physical body
• Digital immortality

Final Level

• Going offline
• Touching physical objects
• Looking people in the eyes
• Hugging your kids
• Knowing that behind any gamer might be a saint

Pelevin's wisdom remains timeless: true advancement lies in letting go of the need to be advanced.