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Article is pretty inane. Isn't forbes a so-called financial magazine? Why would such nonsense appear there. On one side, we accumulate the total cost of some c

by bugsy 16y ago

Article is pretty inane. Isn't forbes a so-called financial magazine? Why would such nonsense appear there. On one side, we accumulate the total cost of some countertops purchased over a decade by 307 million people of whom a certain percentage pay for these kitchen remodels that benefit their life, and which are paid for using their hard earned salary. On the other hand, money stolen from the same people going to fight warns that are less than useless, they create other wars, and bailouts that benefit a very small number of financial elite. And then the implication is that the people remodelling their kitchens paying for it with the fruits of their own labor are greedy bastards squandering what should have rightly been the governments money. What a twisted perspective and insidious state propaganda. Complete madness.

cma 16y ago
They purchase them to "benefit their life" at the detriment of others (perpetuating a status arms race). They are almost as pure an example of a Veblen good as is possible to find--right up there with wedding rings, only (possibly) more labor intensive. I believe some Veblen goods can be major net positives just from the incentive to work that they provide, but certainly not labor (or energy) intensive ones. If everyone works to produce Veblen goods so that they can in turn buy Veblen goods, the nature of Veblen goods will mean everyone (collectively) is wasting their time.
- bugsy 16y ago
  The idea that people redecorating their homes using money they have personally worked themselves to earn is a "detriment to others" is outlandish hogwash and propaganda. The term "detriment" implies they are harming people and should be stopped, while ignoring the harm caused by needless wars and vast theft of resources from the working man and redistribution to useless bureaucratic eaters, financiers and speculators.
  - cma 16y ago
    In the case of granite countertops, I do think it should be stopped. And not by the government. Stopped through cultural change--hopefully brought about by people pointing out that the practice is wasteful. It should lower status rather than raise it. I'm not ignoring other harms, you are inventing that out of the air.
    - bugsy 16y ago
      You think it is wasteful. Do you drive to work, or take a vehicle powered by nonrenewable resources? Live or work in a residence or facility that has heating and air conditioning? Eat meat you have not raised yourself? Many would say all these things are wasteful and harmful as well and they would have a better argument than one against owning polished stones. Why should you have moral authority to claim that things other people do that you are not interested in are harmful or wasteful, while you engage in harmful and wasteful practices that others object to but you are unwilling to change? Are you better than they are? Who decides what things will be allowed and which forbidden? You? Why? And who is your master, or do you fancy yourself servant to none, but master to all?

by bugsy 16y ago

cma 16y ago

They purchase them to "benefit their life" at the detriment of others (perpetuating a status arms race). They are almost as pure an example of a Veblen good as is possible to find--right up there with wedding rings, only (possibly) more labor intensive. I believe some Veblen goods can be major net positives just from the incentive to work that they provide, but certainly not labor (or energy) intensive ones. If everyone works to produce Veblen goods so that they can in turn buy Veblen goods, the nature of Veblen goods will mean everyone (collectively) is wasting their time.

bugsy 16y ago
The idea that people redecorating their homes using money they have personally worked themselves to earn is a "detriment to others" is outlandish hogwash and propaganda. The term "detriment" implies they are harming people and should be stopped, while ignoring the harm caused by needless wars and vast theft of resources from the working man and redistribution to useless bureaucratic eaters, financiers and speculators.
- cma 16y ago
  In the case of granite countertops, I do think it should be stopped. And not by the government. Stopped through cultural change--hopefully brought about by people pointing out that the practice is wasteful. It should lower status rather than raise it. I'm not ignoring other harms, you are inventing that out of the air.
  - bugsy 16y ago
    You think it is wasteful. Do you drive to work, or take a vehicle powered by nonrenewable resources? Live or work in a residence or facility that has heating and air conditioning? Eat meat you have not raised yourself? Many would say all these things are wasteful and harmful as well and they would have a better argument than one against owning polished stones. Why should you have moral authority to claim that things other people do that you are not interested in are harmful or wasteful, while you engage in harmful and wasteful practices that others object to but you are unwilling to change? Are you better than they are? Who decides what things will be allowed and which forbidden? You? Why? And who is your master, or do you fancy yourself servant to none, but master to all?