Comments:
Can a watch (or any manufactured object) be douchey? and if so, what does that say about those that like / use / own it?
Hi,
There was a recent sub-thread (in the photography forum, of all places) about Lamborghinis and their owners / drivers being "douchey" and "douchebags"
"My neighbor recently got a Lambo, and only after being called a douche-bag by his wife, kids business associates (and the neighbors)..."
"...But at the end of the day Lamborghini is simply and utterly douchey..."
(hmmm...I tried to cut and paste a link to that sub-thread but for some reason pasting doesn't seem to work...well, just go to the photography forum, in the thread "Door - which one do you prefer?"
and look for the post titled "Now that's A..."
Sorry, I wish I could make it easier to refer to the entire original post / thread...)
The ensuing sub-thread raised some questions in my mind above and beyond appropriate expression of opinions, and I'd love to read some thoughts and discussion about the idea that
1. a manufactured or crafted object can be inherently "douchey"
and as an extension, and as a sequel, or even prequel, of that idea,
2. what does that "quality" say about the owners / users of that douchey product?
My own knee jerk thoughts -
certainly there can be "douche-bag" owners, who own or use a product PRIMARILY because of the reputation of that brand or model, usually as a means to show off if the compelling reason for owning that brand or product is how (superlatively, obscenely) expensive and over the top it is, and use such product "qualities" to put themselves above, and everyone else below, them and their incredible wealth and success and good taste...
e.g. "This watch costs more than most people make in a lifetime, and that's if they don't eat, drink, pay rent, mortgages, wear clothes, or pay taxes."
(as if that obscene expensiveness is inherently is a good thing...)
or
"I wear a Rolex because it is the best watch in the world, and I am a superior being who only wears the best. Anyone else that doesn't wear a Rolex or doesn't know that Rolex is the best are envious scum or just plain stupid.
Especially those dumb suckers for marketing like them Patok Philip guys...those ain't even as accurate or tough as Rolex and those dumb suckers pay even more for them..." (extreme irony alert)
Sometimes innocent products which are inherently well designed and suitable for their designed purpose, like BMW's or Prius', are tainted by the predominant driving habits of many of their owners / drivers:
Prius: I will drive the speed limit in the fast / passing lane / car pool lane, and elsewhere as if I am an entitled little bitch that owns the public roads, because I am driving a green car that doesn't harm the environment. That makes me better than everyone else and therefore entitled to drive as if my driving is more important than anyone else's...
BMW: I am a frustrated boy racer that, if I had only had the opportunity, would be Formula 1 champion of the world, and I'm going to drive my BMW to prove it...
So,
Are Lamborghinis (or any product) inherently "douchey" above and beyond the marketing message and / or the guilt by association (bad) behaviour of a large population of its owners / users?
Or the projections of personal prejudices unto them by "others" thereof?
(Scott, here's a chance to discuss this interesting topic in a manner consistent with PuristS' standards...)
Cheers,
TM
There was a recent sub-thread (in the photography forum, of all places) about Lamborghinis and their owners / drivers being "douchey" and "douchebags"
"My neighbor recently got a Lambo, and only after being called a douche-bag by his wife, kids business associates (and the neighbors)..."
"...But at the end of the day Lamborghini is simply and utterly douchey..."
(hmmm...I tried to cut and paste a link to that sub-thread but for some reason pasting doesn't seem to work...well, just go to the photography forum, in the thread "Door - which one do you prefer?"
and look for the post titled "Now that's A..."
Sorry, I wish I could make it easier to refer to the entire original post / thread...)
The ensuing sub-thread raised some questions in my mind above and beyond appropriate expression of opinions, and I'd love to read some thoughts and discussion about the idea that
1. a manufactured or crafted object can be inherently "douchey"
and as an extension, and as a sequel, or even prequel, of that idea,
2. what does that "quality" say about the owners / users of that douchey product?
My own knee jerk thoughts -
certainly there can be "douche-bag" owners, who own or use a product PRIMARILY because of the reputation of that brand or model, usually as a means to show off if the compelling reason for owning that brand or product is how (superlatively, obscenely) expensive and over the top it is, and use such product "qualities" to put themselves above, and everyone else below, them and their incredible wealth and success and good taste...
e.g. "This watch costs more than most people make in a lifetime, and that's if they don't eat, drink, pay rent, mortgages, wear clothes, or pay taxes."
(as if that obscene expensiveness is inherently is a good thing...)
or
"I wear a Rolex because it is the best watch in the world, and I am a superior being who only wears the best. Anyone else that doesn't wear a Rolex or doesn't know that Rolex is the best are envious scum or just plain stupid.
Especially those dumb suckers for marketing like them Patok Philip guys...those ain't even as accurate or tough as Rolex and those dumb suckers pay even more for them..." (extreme irony alert)
Sometimes innocent products which are inherently well designed and suitable for their designed purpose, like BMW's or Prius', are tainted by the predominant driving habits of many of their owners / drivers:
Prius: I will drive the speed limit in the fast / passing lane / car pool lane, and elsewhere as if I am an entitled little bitch that owns the public roads, because I am driving a green car that doesn't harm the environment. That makes me better than everyone else and therefore entitled to drive as if my driving is more important than anyone else's...
BMW: I am a frustrated boy racer that, if I had only had the opportunity, would be Formula 1 champion of the world, and I'm going to drive my BMW to prove it...
So,
Are Lamborghinis (or any product) inherently "douchey" above and beyond the marketing message and / or the guilt by association (bad) behaviour of a large population of its owners / users?
Or the projections of personal prejudices unto them by "others" thereof?
(Scott, here's a chance to discuss this interesting topic in a manner consistent with PuristS' standards...)
Cheers,
TM
Let's face it
A Lamborghini is not the most refined styled car on earth. Same goes for Richard Mille and Hublot (looking at watches)... I'm not stating they are douchey, but the chances are high that the person owning either and or probably both are not shy of attention (nicely put). But in the end all depends on the person owning them!
Another thing is that you could probably state that the 'new money' items from today, are tomorrow's classics.
Bottom line is that a lot of things are very subjective in life. And yes most Lamborghini's are pretty screamy. But get an Islero or a 350GT and you will be a stylish boss.
Side note
I have once been invited to the Lamborghini VIP hospitality unit at Spa Francorchamps and I did notice an above average amount of people (Lamborghini owners) over 50 with ponytails.... But who can argue over taste right? 😉🤣
Side note 2
If I can ever lay my hands on a Countach I will not doubt for a second and drive it like I stole it!
Another thing is that you could probably state that the 'new money' items from today, are tomorrow's classics.
Bottom line is that a lot of things are very subjective in life. And yes most Lamborghini's are pretty screamy. But get an Islero or a 350GT and you will be a stylish boss.
Side note
I have once been invited to the Lamborghini VIP hospitality unit at Spa Francorchamps and I did notice an above average amount of people (Lamborghini owners) over 50 with ponytails.... But who can argue over taste right? 😉🤣
Side note 2
If I can ever lay my hands on a Countach I will not doubt for a second and drive it like I stole it!
Not entirely wrong
However the so called "new money" items if of poor overall average quality don't retain their value well overall. How many modern cars of the 80-90's depreciate due to bad aging electronics and relatively expensive maintenance like italian supercars? Plus good luck for finding a competent and skilled mechanic, because it is quite rare and expensive to find/afford one. One of the few cars I would like to own if I had a whole chunk of money would be a 959, four wheel drive, fast and reliable.But as said before to each their own
You've raised another separate, interesting point..."value retention"
Hi, George,
The issue of "market price" vs "intrinsic value" is one that is of great, great interest to me (I'm an economics academic, trained in quantitative analysis but gave it all up when markets and especially individuals generally act "irrationally" and commentators would change their rationales and analysis as quickly as the shifting tides and sands..."the markets went up because Kim JI farted..." then the next day "the markets went up because Kim JI didn't fart today...") and a large part of ThePuristS and now PuristSPro was dedicated to shining the light on "intrinsic value" to counterbalance the often banal and self serving endless monkey chatter about "this is better, see, look at the auction prices!"
That said, I agree that poor overall average quality SHOULDN'T retain value.
Q: please define "quality"
Q: what are your perceptions of "value retention"? are you talking percentages, or nominal dollars?
You mention competent and skilled mechanics, you forget honest too...that noted, do you think the 959 can be serviced by the average Porsche mechanic? I have a bit of experience in the Porsche world (though certainly not as much as many others) - there are quite a number of incompetent and overpriced "Porsche specialists" who charge 3-10x the labour rate and 2-5x the price for the same VW part...it's a slippery slope, for sure, just like Citizen vs Grand Seiko vs Omega / Rolex vs PP/AP/VC/Lange vs Dufour / Voutilainen...
I happen to know a few competent and skilled Lamborghini (and Ferrari, Koenigsegg, Bugatti, et al) mechanics, certainly as many as competent 959 mechanics.
I'm not disagreeing with your main points, just would like to be careful to avoid dangers of generalizations and unexplicated assumptions and sub-conscious biases...
Cheer,
TM
The issue of "market price" vs "intrinsic value" is one that is of great, great interest to me (I'm an economics academic, trained in quantitative analysis but gave it all up when markets and especially individuals generally act "irrationally" and commentators would change their rationales and analysis as quickly as the shifting tides and sands..."the markets went up because Kim JI farted..." then the next day "the markets went up because Kim JI didn't fart today...") and a large part of ThePuristS and now PuristSPro was dedicated to shining the light on "intrinsic value" to counterbalance the often banal and self serving endless monkey chatter about "this is better, see, look at the auction prices!"
That said, I agree that poor overall average quality SHOULDN'T retain value.
Q: please define "quality"
Q: what are your perceptions of "value retention"? are you talking percentages, or nominal dollars?
You mention competent and skilled mechanics, you forget honest too...that noted, do you think the 959 can be serviced by the average Porsche mechanic? I have a bit of experience in the Porsche world (though certainly not as much as many others) - there are quite a number of incompetent and overpriced "Porsche specialists" who charge 3-10x the labour rate and 2-5x the price for the same VW part...it's a slippery slope, for sure, just like Citizen vs Grand Seiko vs Omega / Rolex vs PP/AP/VC/Lange vs Dufour / Voutilainen...
I happen to know a few competent and skilled Lamborghini (and Ferrari, Koenigsegg, Bugatti, et al) mechanics, certainly as many as competent 959 mechanics.
I'm not disagreeing with your main points, just would like to be careful to avoid dangers of generalizations and unexplicated assumptions and sub-conscious biases...
Cheer,
TM
Quality is for me defined by how well an object lasts over one or two decades without having a problem and consistantly working well & responding to a normal daily use
Also I should mention that some things in the past were made to last very very long unlike some modern and contemporary objects which are good to throw up after less than a decade. In the past there were less electronics and assistances in cars than there is now and it was much easier to repair them because the engines had carburetors and were not fitted with multi point injection. However Germany made the top quality electronic fuel injected V8 and V12 engines from the 80's to the 00's along with Cadillac Northstar V8 and Chevrolet Lt1 and Lt5.
Even for transmissions, back then in the 60's-70's-80's, there was no sequential electronic transmission but a good old heavy duty 4/5 speed manual like the ford toploader, mopar a833 and gm muncie m21/m22 rockcrusher or heavy duty 3-4 speed automatic like the torqueflite A727B, the gm hydramatic TH400 and the ford C6/lincoln/mercury cruisomatic which were almost indestructible. A good friend of mine Chuck Maddox said once:"Old tech that works is good tech." Then again when I look at Mercedes M116, M117, M119 and the M120 engines found in the w126 and w140 as well as for their BMW counterparts like the M70 and M73 engines respectively found in the E32 and E38, it just showed me that despite being designed many years ago these engines were and are very reliable and durable.
Same with older american made V8 engines from chrysler/dodge/plymouth family of big blocks including the 383/413/426max wedge/440 engines, lincoln with the 430 and 460 engines, mercury with the 406/428/429 engines, ford with the 390 code s/427code r/428cj/scj,428police interceptor/429scj engines, oldsmobile with the 425/455 engines, pontiac with the 389tripower/400/421sd,428sd/455HO/455super duty engines, buick with the 425nailhead/430/455 engines, chevrolet with the 396/409/427/454 engines and cadillac with 472/500 series of engines.These american made V8s are still running well and are still powering cars that are several decades old. You can easily find a lot of restoration spare parts as well high performance spare parts available which make them easy to repair and maintain.
Regarding Porsche, yes the 959 is not your average Porsche and you better have to know someone trustworthy if you want the car to be repaired perfectly.
Regarding value, just compare the vintage Rolex Daytona craze with the Muscle car craze especially with the prices of Hemi and 440/6 powered mopars, followed by 429 Boss Mustangs and 1970 Buick GSX Stage1s, 1970 454 LS6 Super Sport Ch'velles and 1970 455 HO Powered GTOs .Desirability, rarity and collectibility command those values. Also there is the problem with the auctions where the auctioneers allow the one with most money to over evaluate an item and win it. The result is mind blowing, one the few 1971 Hemi Cuda convertibles built sold for 3 millions dollars at a Barrett Jackson auction some years ago.
Like for everything else, if you want the car or the watch to work well, you have to have a serious eye on it and do proper maintenance. However some people think that because they buy a luxury car or watch, it will be cheap to repair, that is an enormous mistake. Before one buys something, he has to make sure that he can afford the costs to repair and maintain it over the very long run so that the watch/car will keep its value over the long run.
Just my two modest cents and have a good week end
Best regards
Georges
Even for transmissions, back then in the 60's-70's-80's, there was no sequential electronic transmission but a good old heavy duty 4/5 speed manual like the ford toploader, mopar a833 and gm muncie m21/m22 rockcrusher or heavy duty 3-4 speed automatic like the torqueflite A727B, the gm hydramatic TH400 and the ford C6/lincoln/mercury cruisomatic which were almost indestructible. A good friend of mine Chuck Maddox said once:"Old tech that works is good tech." Then again when I look at Mercedes M116, M117, M119 and the M120 engines found in the w126 and w140 as well as for their BMW counterparts like the M70 and M73 engines respectively found in the E32 and E38, it just showed me that despite being designed many years ago these engines were and are very reliable and durable.
Same with older american made V8 engines from chrysler/dodge/plymouth family of big blocks including the 383/413/426max wedge/440 engines, lincoln with the 430 and 460 engines, mercury with the 406/428/429 engines, ford with the 390 code s/427code r/428cj/scj,428police interceptor/429scj engines, oldsmobile with the 425/455 engines, pontiac with the 389tripower/400/421sd,428sd/455HO/455super duty engines, buick with the 425nailhead/430/455 engines, chevrolet with the 396/409/427/454 engines and cadillac with 472/500 series of engines.These american made V8s are still running well and are still powering cars that are several decades old. You can easily find a lot of restoration spare parts as well high performance spare parts available which make them easy to repair and maintain.
Regarding Porsche, yes the 959 is not your average Porsche and you better have to know someone trustworthy if you want the car to be repaired perfectly.
Regarding value, just compare the vintage Rolex Daytona craze with the Muscle car craze especially with the prices of Hemi and 440/6 powered mopars, followed by 429 Boss Mustangs and 1970 Buick GSX Stage1s, 1970 454 LS6 Super Sport Ch'velles and 1970 455 HO Powered GTOs .Desirability, rarity and collectibility command those values. Also there is the problem with the auctions where the auctioneers allow the one with most money to over evaluate an item and win it. The result is mind blowing, one the few 1971 Hemi Cuda convertibles built sold for 3 millions dollars at a Barrett Jackson auction some years ago.
Like for everything else, if you want the car or the watch to work well, you have to have a serious eye on it and do proper maintenance. However some people think that because they buy a luxury car or watch, it will be cheap to repair, that is an enormous mistake. Before one buys something, he has to make sure that he can afford the costs to repair and maintain it over the very long run so that the watch/car will keep its value over the long run.
Just my two modest cents and have a good week end
Best regards
Georges
Thank you, Georges, you certainly know much about the areas
Of interest to you.
Enjoyed reading your comments, raised some interesting thoughts about (perceived) quality, and (perceived) value.
Digesting...
Thanks,
TM
Enjoyed reading your comments, raised some interesting thoughts about (perceived) quality, and (perceived) value.
Digesting...
Thanks,
TM
excellent very interesting points.
Hi, Arie,
About design - both pure "design" (the non-functional aspects of design, sometimes called "style" but all these terms are soft and ambiguously used) and engineering (for example, the exhaust note and volume) - there are no absolutes, imho, and by definition taste in design is not "objective" but rather subjective, but insofar as there is a "universal" "sense" I would tend to agree that Aston Martins are more understated (some would say boring) and Lamborghinis tend to be more ostentatious (loaded term full of pre-conceptions and biases, explicit and sub-conscious), especially from the Countach onward.
You mention "refined' - I would argue the Diablo is a much more "refined" design than the Countach (ref back to my comments that the Countach is definitely a design of its times, which now looks dated, whereas I feel the Diablo is "timeless" - if the Diablo were released as a 2018 model, it would still look fresh and modern, the Countach would look "retro-futuristic" ...)
Ironic that you mention the owners of Lamborghinis and RM / Hublots probably tend to enjoy, if not revel, in the attention getting nature of using those products; I agree. But ironic because the owner of that Diablo that started this whole discussion really hates personal attention, has turned down repeated requests for interviews over the years if the interviews were to be about him and not on a "subject of interest or expertise" and he simply loves the design of the Diablo, especially that generation.
Push come to shove, and in conversations where others tried to project and force their sensibilities on to him, "come on, admit it, you love the attention..." his reply was sincerely, "I admit, I do enjoy seeing the smiles on other people's faces when they see the Diablo drive by, especially the children..."
Agreed with you about the "classic" Lambos - I used to own a 400GT 2+2 and to this day still wish I still have it...
Your side note 1 - agreed again, Lamborghini does seem to attract a disproportionate population of attention seekers and mid-life crises sufferers...
"when you are young enough to get in and out of a Lambo gracefully, you can't afford it.
When you can afford a Lambo, you can no longer get in and out gracefully."
Of course, these are old conventional wisdoms; the owner of that Diablo purchased his first Lamborghini when he was 20, with money he earned himself through hard work and a little inspiration...and still manages to get in and out of the Diablo with a (hopefully) modicum of grace and agility.
And of course we all know about the "new money" dot com'ers who could buy the entire company before they hit 25...
Thanks for your thoughts, and
Cheers,
TM
About design - both pure "design" (the non-functional aspects of design, sometimes called "style" but all these terms are soft and ambiguously used) and engineering (for example, the exhaust note and volume) - there are no absolutes, imho, and by definition taste in design is not "objective" but rather subjective, but insofar as there is a "universal" "sense" I would tend to agree that Aston Martins are more understated (some would say boring) and Lamborghinis tend to be more ostentatious (loaded term full of pre-conceptions and biases, explicit and sub-conscious), especially from the Countach onward.
You mention "refined' - I would argue the Diablo is a much more "refined" design than the Countach (ref back to my comments that the Countach is definitely a design of its times, which now looks dated, whereas I feel the Diablo is "timeless" - if the Diablo were released as a 2018 model, it would still look fresh and modern, the Countach would look "retro-futuristic" ...)
Ironic that you mention the owners of Lamborghinis and RM / Hublots probably tend to enjoy, if not revel, in the attention getting nature of using those products; I agree. But ironic because the owner of that Diablo that started this whole discussion really hates personal attention, has turned down repeated requests for interviews over the years if the interviews were to be about him and not on a "subject of interest or expertise" and he simply loves the design of the Diablo, especially that generation.
Push come to shove, and in conversations where others tried to project and force their sensibilities on to him, "come on, admit it, you love the attention..." his reply was sincerely, "I admit, I do enjoy seeing the smiles on other people's faces when they see the Diablo drive by, especially the children..."
Agreed with you about the "classic" Lambos - I used to own a 400GT 2+2 and to this day still wish I still have it...
Your side note 1 - agreed again, Lamborghini does seem to attract a disproportionate population of attention seekers and mid-life crises sufferers...
"when you are young enough to get in and out of a Lambo gracefully, you can't afford it.
When you can afford a Lambo, you can no longer get in and out gracefully."
Of course, these are old conventional wisdoms; the owner of that Diablo purchased his first Lamborghini when he was 20, with money he earned himself through hard work and a little inspiration...and still manages to get in and out of the Diablo with a (hopefully) modicum of grace and agility.
And of course we all know about the "new money" dot com'ers who could buy the entire company before they hit 25...
Thanks for your thoughts, and
Cheers,
TM
Thank you for an interesting philosophical topic without an end! [nt]
No message body
Short and simple - no!
If not for any other reason then for mere fact that they are material objects.
Doucheness comes from " consciousness".
Sincerely
D
Doucheness comes from " consciousness".
Sincerely
D
A Chinese phrase translation, "Saying the grapes are sour by someone who cannot taste it"...
This is a huge and fair world, right or wrong is subjective, actually depending on who/what is the majority or major in power.
Outliers definitely exist, not just cars or watches but I don't really feel Lambo or their owners belong to that category.
Interesting HoMe topic, I'm really curious to see and read all responses.
Thanks Dr Mao...a pity I missed the chance to say Hi in NYC PuristSPro night.
Rgds
Raymond
PS: I drive a BMW but I'm not a frustrated boy racer and I'm partially green 😄
One part of me wholeheartedly understands and agrees, the other part...
Hi, Raymond,
The abstract theorist in me says, "Yes, absolutely, everything is relative!" and agree that subjectivity, in POV, in context, even in age (of society) and culture, makes any broad sweeping statements misleading at best, implicitly fascist at worst (or worse)...
That said, a part of me wishes for rationality, universal truths, and some modicum of objectivity. (sigh)
I wish you did, I would have loved to have met you in person!
to your PS: me too, I have been a BMW fan and driver since the 1980's and still have an E39 M-sport (sold my E39 M5 because my M-sport with Dinan bits is faster and more "low key" lol)
The abstract theorist in me says, "Yes, absolutely, everything is relative!" and agree that subjectivity, in POV, in context, even in age (of society) and culture, makes any broad sweeping statements misleading at best, implicitly fascist at worst (or worse)...
That said, a part of me wishes for rationality, universal truths, and some modicum of objectivity. (sigh)
I wish you did, I would have loved to have met you in person!
to your PS: me too, I have been a BMW fan and driver since the 1980's and still have an E39 M-sport (sold my E39 M5 because my M-sport with Dinan bits is faster and more "low key" lol)
To your PS: YES!
I own a Hublot but I'm not a ____ (whatever that people would generally associate with a Hublot wearer).
I buy a watch for what it appeals and means to me, not to others.
I buy a watch for what it appeals and means to me, not to others.
I think personally that everything is matter of tastes as well as likes or dislikes and to each their own and that we can agree to disagree politely
Italian and French cars are definitely not my thing because I prefer mostly German cars from the 80's till the 00's and American cars from 1957 to 1971 including some modern cars from the 90's and the 00's.A lambo is flamboyant, flashy and definitely not for my wallet and not for my style of driving. However if someone likes his, it is his right. Do I like Richard Mille and Hublot? I personally find them to be hideous and gaudy but their owners like them that is fine with me. I don't follow fashion, I have my own tastes and my own styles and everyone has theirs. People buy things according their financial means and their desires as well.
Just my two very modest cents
Best regards
Georges
Just my two very modest cents
Best regards
Georges
That's the sort of position we generally hold around here.
Hi Georges,
To each their own, we may disagree on matters of taste but we respect each other's choices even if we passionately share our own POV, if asked for.
And sometimes even when not...
🙄😆🤣😂
To each their own, we may disagree on matters of taste but we respect each other's choices even if we passionately share our own POV, if asked for.
And sometimes even when not...
🙄😆🤣😂
Can we scientifically / rationally / conclusively answer a question that includes the word "douche"?
Heck no, we can't even decide which car is "green" or not (see exhibit below). I tried to apply my DouchoMeter to the question and came up with this result:
What really irks me is BMW's success in marketing the 3 series to all sorts of non-BMW people. When a feeble grannie who can barely walk with a cane gets into her BMW and drives it as slowly as molasses, it messes up my stereotype consciousness.
I had this conversation when in the hills above Palo Alto with a friend. He driving one of his 3 Vipers, I driving 1 of my 5 Citroens. While tasting Ridge Zinfandels, our talk turned to the "utility" of weird cars.
He stated, as a fact, "I can pull more women with the Viper" to which I could only respond "The many women who are attracted to my 2CV are actually interesting to talk to". We left it at that because obviously that day "utility" was not measured in cubic feet of trunk space or miles per gallon.
I think douche-ness" of cars and their owners is a similarly evasive term - thus the old saying "Your douche bag may vary." It seems self-evident, but there are always exceptions which disprove the rule. I even have some friends who own Porsche and they are genuinely nice people.
(retreating into my bunker)
Cazalea
I couldn't get Porsche Cayenne, Aston Rapide and BMW i8 all on the meter
at once, it started smoking
Trouble with cars that aren't firmly planted on the stereotype meter is you don't know who your fellow owners will be!
Will they be like this?? (yes)
or like this (please, no)
I don't think "objects" are douchey
without the user making them douchey. There are things I would probably never own because every one I met who owned the thing was a douche. And there are some things in this world that may more likely attract douches. But the thing itself has no personality beyond the owner. That is my firm belief. People imbue items, be they cars or watches or clothes or baseball mitts, with personality-not the other way around.
My kneejerk tendency is to agree, but Elliot55's reply in this thread
Raises an interesting alternative POV.
I wonder if it's a semantic thing or a conceptual one.
Cheers,
TM
I wonder if it's a semantic thing or a conceptual one.
Cheers,
TM
The Liberal / Progressive take on Lamborghini
"Brian, a divorce lawyer from Long Island, New York, and his wife, Divina — who grew up dirt poor, and jokingly but accurately said she made her money “by marrying a rich man” — were in their fourth Lamborghini."
The Article was sent to me by my sister, who was outraged that people might have multiple Lamborghinis (but why me? I don't even have one).
Mike
Brian and his bright reflective Lambos are (notoriously) well known in Lambo circles...
not to my taste, but I'm sure Brian couldn't care less...
TM, I think at the end of the day it comes down to the great challenge of being human
we are social creatures but each of us have our own motivations & values and when they come into conflict with another set of motivations & values, we are as likely to be reactionary as we are to be understanding. I don't believe any object is douchey in itself. But well-known objects have values associated to them through our own past exposure to them and our jumble of motivations, and it colors our opinion. I think a Lambo or Rolex rolling off the proverbial factory conveyor belt is a striking work of industrial art that most of us appreciate. But put it to use in any context with another human being in the picture and it will probably change the appreciation.