I read it as a counter to Postman’s citing Huxley that society is becoming enamored with the superficial (ie the ignoble) pursuits. I read the OP as effectively saying “who is to say what is noble vs trivial, considering it varies in societal context.”

170 years ago, people may have thought chess was superficial. I think now, maybe it would be considered a more noble pursuit.

Or, maybe the OP was saying it’s a constant devolving towards the increasingly trivial.

Chess is a superficial pursuit, especially today, because it became a meme due to a Netflix television show.

Not that I care. People can pursue whatever they want superficially. And I have plenty of my own superficial pursuits.