In fact, as less and less stuff becomes available people will be forced off "stuff" as a status market, and access to "stuff" (concentrated natural resources) will be the mark of the superwealthy.

The problem is that the efficacy of "stuff" as a status differentiator is correlated with its scarcity.  If everyone can have it, it is no good for denoting relative status.  If it is exclusive to a few - whether the super wealthy, ruthless, talented, or lucky - then it has value as a status differentiator.

The fact that elephant tusks are getting scarcer just makes them more valuable.

notes from no w here