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It's silly is that wearing $5k+ on your wrist is effective at influencing people. What's even more silly is your ignoring that fact. So-called status symbols
by newnewpdro 8y ago
It's silly is that wearing $5k+ on your wrist is effective at influencing people.
What's even more silly is your ignoring that fact.
So-called status symbols are actually quite effective at getting people to pay attention to you, which is kind of important if you wish to compel them to do things.
- TheOtherHobbes 8y agoThat's why it's silly. It's not just the watches, or handbags, or cars - it's the political implication that this form of display increases your social influence, and your ability to acquire further wealth. If that's true - and it seems to be - that strongly suggests politics and economics are superficial and essentially trinket- and appearance-driven, and only very distantly related to genuine achievement or merit. IMO that's not just a problem, it's a disastrous failure of spirit, ethics, and imagination. It's fine if your institutions and values are operating at a pre-rational barely sentient level, but if you're trying to aim higher, it really isn't such a good thing.
- newnewpdro 8y agoIs it really surprising to learn you can manipulate how people perceive you by doing such silly things as wearing an expensive suit and/or watch, driving an expensive car, taking them to an expensive restaurant, etc? How is any of this new information? It's so well-known we've even got a silly name for the "power suit".
- tonyedgecombe 8y agoSometime it can work in reverse, I won't buy things from people who overtly display their wealth. If you turned up on my doorstep in an expensive car you are going to have a hard time selling me anything.
- newnewpdro 8y agoSometimes that filter is a feature, you probably wouldn't make a good minion.