Keeping up with the Jones.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Oerdin
I wouldn't say they've gained nothing. They still have a very nice car.

Insofar as they have a nicer car they have gained something, but insofar as their aim was competitive consumption, they have failed. Their main aim was not to have a nicer car, but to have a nicer car than anyone else.

Given that most of the things that people want to competitively consume don't have much more actual quality than regular non-branded goods, there is literally no gain from competitive consumption in such cases.

And before Asher starts talking crap again. I own the second cheapest iPod available, and most people don't know I have one, since I replaced the white earbuds with some Sony headphones that I like better. I think that is probably the only thing that could be counted as a "competitive consumption good" that I own. Oh.. I do have a pair of branded Everlast sweatpants, but I bought those because I love boxing. Any fashionista would scream if they saw my wardrobe.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Oerdin
I just realized my circle of friends include millionaire pornographers, gay businessmen, and the homeless German guy who sits out in front of the liquor store. I can't help but feel I am behind all of them in some way or another. The others have more money then me while the homeless guy has more free time then me.

RIGHT YOU ****!!!

YOU ARE WORSE THAN FADED GLORY!!!!

THIS IS THE FINAL PIECE OF EVIDENCE THAT YOU ARE MRT144'S DL!!!

LEAVING, MY ASS!!!!


BAN HIM, MING!!!!!

[Asher]

Nicer car -> hotter chicks

This is why capitalism works.

[Agathon]

Nicer car -> hotter chicks

This is why capitalism works.

You obviously do not inhabit the real world.

According to my observations: nicer car = some old botoxed hag with cosmetic surgery who's going to take you to the cleaners as soon as she can.

[Asher]

You live in Toronto, are there any other type of women there?

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Agathon

THIS IS THE FINAL PIECE OF EVIDENCE THAT YOU ARE MRT144'S DL!!!

LEAVING, MY ASS!!!!


BAN HIM, MING!!!!!

I've actually met MRT144 in a pub in Seattle. That was before he got herpies of course. BTW "Leaving for ever" is a term from CG meaning leaving the forum for anything from an hour to several days. It's a running joke which most people here at poly get.

Thus you might see people post "I'm leaving forever but I'll be back after lunch".

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Oerdin


I've actually met MRT144 in a pub in Seattle. That was before he got herpies of course. BTW "Leaving for ever" is a term from CG meaning leaving the forum for anything from an hour to several days. It's a running joke which most people here at poly get.

Thus you might see people post "I'm leaving forever but I'll be back after lunch".

I know.

I haven't seen MRT for a long time though... unless he's you.

[Provost Harrison]

Isn't he probably somewhere lost in the world of gay pornography by now?

[Mrs. Tuberski]

IN my opinion i dont see why it is necessary to keep up with any one. IF i have a car i want it work, such as get me to where i want to go. If i have a house i want it to stand and not leak water when it rains. I guess i dont care if the thing cost 5.00 bucks or 15000, if it does the job then thats all i need. But seeing as i Had my first kid at the ageof 21 i have had to be practical rather then extravagant. As far as the bigger the house shoot i look at it this way that is just way more space to clean and keep clean. And my car since i now have 3 kids of my own and a step kid it needs to be big enough to fit everyone and since i am not a mini van type of person i guess my isuzu rodeo will have to do untill it drops dead. And when that happens i know i will have enough money in the bank to drop a down payment on another car of its same liking.

[Jon Miller]

yeah, I prefer things being nice and new so that they don't break down/have problems

that is why I buy new games, and bought a new car recently (although I can't really afford one)

if I am going to ahve something, it might as well be good

I have actually acquired quite a lot in the last while...

JM

[The Mad Viking]

As I get older, I do get more materialistic. It may simply be tied to disposable income. I was materialistic when I was 17 and 18, making good cash in P/T jobs and having no expenses. Then came University and abject poverty...

But it's certainly not about keeping up with people or about appearances. I drive the car that I like. I drive alot, don't like paying $500 per month on gas, and I don't fit in compact cars. So I have an Altima, but the 4 cyl with a 5-speed manual. Its fun to drive, gets pretty good fuel economy, and is comfortable for a guy 6-6 to sit in. Now when it came time to replace the tires, I got Bridgestone Potenzas. The first time I ever spent much more than minimum dollars on tires. This weekend, I spent over $50 on a pair of new WIPER BLADES! First time I ever went for more than the cheapest. Man, those are some nice wiper blades.

I don't think anyone is impressed by these things but me.

So can we be sure the 3.25 million dollar house on the bay is about Oerdin's ex-classmate impressing people, or is it simply something that makes him happy?

If I had 10 million, I would probably spend a third of it on a house on the waterfront. Almost certainly I would buy a waterfront property in a nice location with a great view - that is important to me. It typically doesn't come cheap.

But doing something you don't like for a living to make more money is a fool's errand. You spend most of your waking hours working, so a job you can enjoy is the most important possession anyone can have, once they have the basics of life looked after.

Oerdin, try to consider the things you have that your ex-classmate, your bosses, and your neighbourhood wino don't have. Don't succumb to the "grass is greener".

[Japher]

poor Oerdin
poor, poor Oerdin

get over yourself

I use to work with this guy who was always jealous of other peoples success. He always whinned when someone else got a raise, or how other ppl his age were more succesful. I never saw the good in doing that, it didn't get him any closer to his own success.

See and be it.
Will power man.

Do you really want what other people have if it requires you to do what they have done?

You can sheit in one hand and wish in the other and see which one gets full first.

I can understand being jealous of a lottery winner, but then that's just dumb luck.

[Drogue]

I dread to think what it'll be like in 10 years to talk to the people I'm at uni with. Half of them will be in investment banking, making *huge* sums of money (though possibly after a couple of break-downs) and the other half will probably be earning ridiculous quantities in comapnies and consultancies. And then me, accepting government-level pay packets. Meh.

It sucks, I'm a materialist with a conscience. I can't stand the idea of working for a company who's primary motive is to make a profit, hence the government/NGO/ethical company thing. Yet I like having nice things. I spend a reasonable amount on clothes, going out, chocolate and generally enjoying myself, especially for a student.

[Arrian]

There will always be somebody richer than you. And smarter than you. And better looking. With a hotter s.o., etc.

Bah.

When I buy a new house (~2 yrs from now), it will be because we want some more space & land. It will have zero to do with the houses our friends live in.

I know a bunch of people in the office who drive BMWs or Mercedes. You know what? They're always *****ing that their cars are in the shop! Meanwhile, my Honda takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'.

Let it go, Oerdin. Be content to spend your money wisely (hey, you could even frame the competition that way!).

-Arrian

[Asher]

Originally posted by Arrian
There will always be somebody richer than you. And smarter than you. And better looking. With a hotter s.o., etc.