Of course it's absurd but a lot of research has been done into what motivates people to make so-called discretionary purchases (that is, most anything above the

Of course it's absurd but a lot of research has been done into what motivates people to make so-called discretionary purchases (that is, most anything above the level of bare necessities at the lowest feasible price, if you can afford it) and other life decisions which are essentially purchase-like. And not surprisingly, a lot of this motivation has to do with (relative) status and image, and the ability to project it. As applies to everything from what clothes you wear and what car you drive, to where you go to school and what neighborhood you live in, etc. I won't call the following article "research" but it does seem to capture the spirit of this line of thinking: https://buffer.com/resources/people-dont-buy-products-they-buy-better-versions-of-themselves/ https://buffer.com/resources/people-dont-buy-products-they-b...