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Of all of your examples, the one that comes closest to matching fake cakes is the fake engine noises that many vehicles play over speakers. A key difference is
by cs702 8y ago
Of all of your examples, the one that comes closest to matching fake cakes is the fake engine noises that many vehicles play over speakers. A key difference is that most consumers are unaware that their car's engine noise may be fake, and if they find out they feel defrauded and tend to get upset.[a] The Washington Post calls fake engine noise the auto industry's "dirty little secret."[b]
In all your other examples, consumers are at least getting something of value. Cheap houses provide actual housing, at less cost. Knock-off clothes provide actual nice-looking clothing, at less cost. Rented Ferraris provide the actual enjoyment of driving a Ferrari, for less cost. Taking selfies on vacation spots provide some people with a temporary superficial pleasure from "showing off" to their friends.
What value does fake food provide when it is used only for display and no effort is made to pretend it's real?
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[a] For example, see the comments here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lQPc9VXBzk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lQPc9VXBzk
[b] https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/americas-best-selling-cars-and-trucks-are-built-on-lies-the-rise-of-fake-engine-noise/2015/01/21/6db09a10-a0ba-11e4-b146-577832eafcb4_story.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/americas-bes...
- 794CD01 8y agoFake cakes provide themed decoration, just like the fancy lace curtains or floral centerpieces that are also common at weddings. It's basically the exact same reasoning you gave for knockoff clothes.
- ryandrake 8y agoThanks for your analysis. The common theme I’m going for is that people are choosing something that looks opulent over actual opulence, where there is a third alternative: choosing something real but not as opulent. People could choose the less luxurious-loooking house, or the store brand clothing but narcissism, vanity and the constant need to self promote won’t let them. I once worked with a guy who probably made close to what I made (similar title/seniority), but he lived in a very affluent neighborhood and loved to mention it whenever the opportunity even slightly arose. I ended up needing to drop something off at his house once (he was out on an extended sick leave) and when he greeted me I had a look behind him into the house. It was totally empty! He probably slept on a cot in one of the 5 unused and unfurnished bedrooms. He was a total phony! I think we can agree that the examples I brought up represent a small fraction of the phoniness we see all around us—they were just the few that came to mind while typing. It’s an epidemic as far as I’m concerned.
- cs702 8y agoYes, I see what you mean... and agree with you: There seems to be much faking of authenticity and faking of opulence today. :-( PS. Your comments remind me of the "Rich man in the car paradox" -- see #3 here: http://www.collaborativefund.com/blog/the-psychology-of-money/ http://www.collaborativefund.com/blog/the-psychology-of-mone...
- ryandrake 8y agoThanks for the link! Excellent read