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What you linked to would be referred to as "formal flatware". It's a totally different market than regular flatware. You're buying it because it has some intric

by ssharp 14y ago

What you linked to would be referred to as "formal flatware". It's a totally different market than regular flatware. You're buying it because it has some intricate design or is made from some sort of expensive material. The pricing of it is not based on functionality. This happens in the lower end, too, but there are lots of reasonable options that are cheaper than the stuff from "The Best" article, probably hold up the same, and the marginal loss in functionality is less than the marginal change in price.

csmeder 14y ago
I agree, in particular "and the marginal loss in functionality is less than the marginal change in price." However, the thesis of Dustin's essay is that there are products which are worth the additional cost due to an increased (and worth while) functionality, utility and experience. The way I see it is this: Dustin: "I have decided to only go to the best amusment parks. For me this is Disneyland. I can afford to go once every 4 years." The average person: "I go to about 2 amusement parks a year. Some times I have a horrible time." But replace amusement parks with house hold goods. Dustin would rather have a few great things rather than a bunch of mediocre things. That said, I would agree with his essay more if he didn't use the word "Best", and replaced it with "Great". Trying to find the "Best" product could quickly lead to obsessiveness and wasted time, I figure settling at "Great" would bring more happiness in the long run and be less evil.[1] "...premature optimization is the root of all evil" - Donald Knuth
arrrg 14y ago
This is non-formal flatware and you can buy it in every department store in Germany: http://www.wmf.de/shop/de_de/besteck/neuheiten/besteck-set-30-teilig-ambiente-cromargan-protectr.html http://www.wmf.de/shop/de_de/besteck/neuheiten/besteck-set-3... It’s also a bit more than $10 per piece. It’s not even necessary to talk about sterling silver flatware ($200 per piece).

by ssharp 14y ago

csmeder 14y ago

I agree, in particular "and the marginal loss in functionality is less than the marginal change in price." However, the thesis of Dustin's essay is that there are products which are worth the additional cost due to an increased (and worth while) functionality, utility and experience. The way I see it is this: Dustin: "I have decided to only go to the best amusment parks. For me this is Disneyland. I can afford to go once every 4 years." The average person: "I go to about 2 amusement parks a year. Some times I have a horrible time." But replace amusement parks with house hold goods. Dustin would rather have a few great things rather than a bunch of mediocre things. That said, I would agree with his essay more if he didn't use the word "Best", and replaced it with "Great". Trying to find the "Best" product could quickly lead to obsessiveness and wasted time, I figure settling at "Great" would bring more happiness in the long run and be less evil.[1] "...premature optimization is the root of all evil" - Donald Knuth

arrrg 14y ago

This is non-formal flatware and you can buy it in every department store in Germany: http://www.wmf.de/shop/de_de/besteck/neuheiten/besteck-set-30-teilig-ambiente-cromargan-protectr.html http://www.wmf.de/shop/de_de/besteck/neuheiten/besteck-set-3... It’s also a bit more than $10 per piece. It’s not even necessary to talk about sterling silver flatware ($200 per piece).