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Absolutely true... as another anecdotal example, one of my mechanics in his 20's is also an Uber driver and has a brand new iPhone 6s Plus. Also, the prevalenc

Absolutely true... as another anecdotal example, one of my mechanics in his 20's is also an Uber driver and has a brand new iPhone 6s Plus. Also, the prevalence of gold-collar workers splurging on old (and increasingly expensive to maintain) Lexus, Acuras, BMWs, Mercedes, etc. Contrast this with folks whom have wealth and do everything possible to look fashionably broke (or at least "if you've got it, hide it"): torn jeans, Urban Outfitter, etc. People tend to project the opposite of their insecurities, and in so doing, reveal them, consciously or not. Peter Thiel describes a number of bad pitches whereby founders describe how big they're unlikely to be, whereas projects with actual traction tend to feign smallness.

erroneousfunk 11y ago
A mechanic in his 20's who also drives an Uber? Sounds like exactly the sort of person who would probably be able to afford, and get tremendous value from, an iPhone 6s Plus. Mechanics make good money, and having a side income is all just extra cash for a guy in his 20's that probably doesn't have a lot in the way of bills. Super fast processor, latest GPS chip and assisted GPS software, extra large screen to view the map at a glance while driving... Most of the bad experiences I've had with Uber have been caused by problems with the driver's phone or GPS, not their car. Investing in good (and relatively cheap, all things considered) equipment is probably a wise move here. And I would't say Urban Outfitters looks "cheap" It looks like Urban Outfitters. The point of a brand new Joy Division "concert" shirt and torn jeans isn't to fool people. Jeans with a pattern of distress marks in front upper thigh and "patch" machine stitching on the back? Expensive (tacky, but expensive). Jeans where both knees have a horizontal split that's threatening to extend to the side seams? Cheap. I would argue that people with "wealth" haven't really been a big demographic at Urban Outfitters lately, anyway. "Understated" clothing brands like Everlane, Calvin Klein seem to be more popular in the US.
bluecalm 11y ago
Or they try to project image to differentiate themseves from the social class just below. It's ok for super rich to dress like a college student but not alike to upper middle class person as then the plan could backfire should people actually believe the projection. I remember a great essay about the phenomenon: http://slatestarcodex.com/2014/04/22/right-is-the-new-left/ http://slatestarcodex.com/2014/04/22/right-is-the-new-left/

erroneousfunk 11y ago

A mechanic in his 20's who also drives an Uber? Sounds like exactly the sort of person who would probably be able to afford, and get tremendous value from, an iPhone 6s Plus. Mechanics make good money, and having a side income is all just extra cash for a guy in his 20's that probably doesn't have a lot in the way of bills. Super fast processor, latest GPS chip and assisted GPS software, extra large screen to view the map at a glance while driving... Most of the bad experiences I've had with Uber have been caused by problems with the driver's phone or GPS, not their car. Investing in good (and relatively cheap, all things considered) equipment is probably a wise move here. And I would't say Urban Outfitters looks "cheap" It looks like Urban Outfitters. The point of a brand new Joy Division "concert" shirt and torn jeans isn't to fool people. Jeans with a pattern of distress marks in front upper thigh and "patch" machine stitching on the back? Expensive (tacky, but expensive). Jeans where both knees have a horizontal split that's threatening to extend to the side seams? Cheap. I would argue that people with "wealth" haven't really been a big demographic at Urban Outfitters lately, anyway. "Understated" clothing brands like Everlane, Calvin Klein seem to be more popular in the US.

bluecalm 11y ago

Or they try to project image to differentiate themseves from the social class just below. It's ok for super rich to dress like a college student but not alike to upper middle class person as then the plan could backfire should people actually believe the projection. I remember a great essay about the phenomenon: http://slatestarcodex.com/2014/04/22/right-is-the-new-left/ http://slatestarcodex.com/2014/04/22/right-is-the-new-left/