Good question, I'm not certain he's fully aware either...
I was the oldest of four growing up, and thus got less and less attention as the others arrived. I am all too familiar with the "any attention is positive attention" phrase, even if I didn't understand when I started doing it! :) And, I tend to "lead with shock" although I've toned that way down over the years.
Perhaps he's just young; or, also young...?