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A Tough Question

Was watching "Fight Club" the other night and in it Brad Pitt's character opines that you don't own your possessions, but your possessions own you. As applied to our hobby the question becomes, do you own your system, or does your system own you?

There have been times in my audiophile progression that my system has definitely had me be the short hairs, but as of late I've felt like I'm the one in control, at least most of the time. Basically, when I'm enjoying music, I'm on top. When I'm concentrating on the sound of the system, then the system has the upper hand. Unfortunately, my system generally sound quite good, but it's far from perfect and there's always something I know I could do to improve it's overall performance. As a result, I'm never sure where I stand. Do you know where you stand?
128x128onhwy61
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
In general posessions are hassle. The more you own the more trouble they'll give you. Fewer possessions == less stress. Identify those things that are important enough to warrant the hassle and own only those. Eschew all the other extraeneous possessions that advertisers will try to persuade you to buy because they will not make you happier, and may simply increase your stress level.

It took me years to learn this, and unfortunately I had already purchased a 1973 corvette by the time this realization really dawned. I have a love hate relationship with that car !
ohlala
1,236 posts
 
I have yet to be at a philes house, including mine, and not witness an "owner" on their hands and knees, in front of their stereo. Its a pathetic site, but everything you own has a piece of you, especially the stuff you value.
audiobugged
528 posts
 
Seandtaylor99 older Corvettes are real HOT on Ebay Motors right now! Fewer possessions == less stress???
musicslug
430 posts
 
I know I'm in an extreme minority on this one, but I thought Fight Club was pretty lame from the standpoint of actual ideas, in essence a sort of dumbed down Jungianism. We're bound to have changing feelings about our 'stuff', especially stuff we've paid a lot money for, which (usually) brings us lots of joy, and which can also be a source of frustration (when it malfunctions).
If your system makes you less than happy, fix your attitude. A good way to do that is to listen to a 'consumer electronics' system. I assume that what you've got will kick its butt... We are so lucky to even be having this discussion, compared to the 90+% of the world living on under $2 day!
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61 OP
5,227 posts
 
Thank y'all for your kind words of support. It's a thin line between passionate absorption in one's hobby vs. neurotic navel gazing, but I know I'm not the only who has stood in front of their electronics and wondered "oh system, why hath thou forsaken me?"
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