> if you have two identical paintings, and lack external information as to their origin, can not either one (or both) be said to be the 'true' painting? If so,

> if you have two identical paintings, and lack external information as to their origin, can not either one (or both) be said to be the 'true' painting? If so, then what value is there in the information that 'proves' one is the 'original'? This is the crux of it, really. Why do art buyers care so much about what the “original” is? If the reproduction is so good that you need an external expert to tell you which is the original and which is the reproduction, then that basically means it’s not the aesthetic qualities that you’re paying millions for, but the “original” quality that you’re paying for. This original quality, as I’ve noted, allows you to signal your wealth/cultural tastes and whatnot. Now, I agree with you in that I hardly find any value myself in that, but it’s apparently worth millions to other people who are not us. In short, I only claim that NFTs are as ridiculous/non-ridiculous as the traditional art market. If you think the traditional art markets are also bunk, fair enough. What I take issue with is thinking that NFTs are a uniquely stupid phenomenon but expensive traditional art is a respectable one.