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Priorities, who makes the rules anyway?

I'm putting this on the table for two reasons, 1) I am tired of 'which amp for my speakers' threads, and 2) I am right.

Most everyone I know thinks I am a crazy-man. They refer to me as the one who has taken home entertainment to the "extreme." My question is, where'd they get that idea? Generally speaking: the average upper-middle-class yupster walks into a car dealer and plops down $???$ without thinking twice. Next they slice the price into monthly payments, add interest and insure it, all for the low, low, price of what...say, $35k (for arguments sake). Now throw another in for the wife. Where are we now, $70k in cars? The point. This sort of average behavior is thought of as completely reasonable and rational in most circumstances.

On the other hand, a guy like me (or we) who throw(s) down anything approaching (or even half) the total amount of the car, much less both cars, on home entertainment stuff, is a nutcase (or bunch of them if all of you are still on board) with out of whack priorities. What is with this? I enjoy my HT system way more than I enjoy my car. I spend more time at home with my HT system, or at least try to. All else equal I would rather drive a junker pick-up and come home to a plasma flatscreen, than any other, another way around. For me, this is true, even if it's just to watch the news. (The real point, as you may have guessed--I am talking myself into spending more). I NEED that flatscreen. I do.

When are we going to start thinking of home entertainment the same as we do cars? As it is for most, high dollar home entertainment is still thought of as a guilty pleasure.
j_thunders
sean
6,231 posts
 
I hear ya and completely agree. While i have a Corvette Stingray in storage and a Harley, i typically drive a 1994 four cylinder Ford Tempo with a manual transmission in it. Glamorous, to say the least. Besides that, i have a rusted out Ford van that i use for hauling stuff. Drive them till they die is my motto.

While the Tempo is in mint shape for its' age due to recent body work and paint and has a system that can deafen you at 40 paces, it is nothing that any human being of reasonable means would long for. As such, i don't have to worry about anyone stealing it or crying when someone has scratched, dented or keyed my "status symbol".

Like anything else in life, people have different priorities and things that they enjoy. While i can't fathom tempting fate and going mountain climbing on a regular basis, others say it is exhilarating and a challenge. Obviously, we have different trains of thought. Who is to say which one of us is right ? Sean
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3chihuahuas
108 posts
 
I am not an expert in psychology, but here's what I think. Some people are in the status thing and a $70K car is more visiable and recognized by more people on the street than a $70K system. So I guess Blbloom is right..never.
glen's avatar
glen
714 posts
 
I agree 100% and also am in need of a ronco 50" plasma screen. How this could be construe as anything less then a basic necessity boggles the mind. Food, clothes, shelter, plasma screen not necessarily in that order.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
drubin
3,275 posts
 
I agree with you, thunders. The analogy I often use is boats. Some people spend a ton on their boating hobbies.

The only problem is I also want that $35K car...
landmarkbldrsf3a2
40 posts
 
J thunder: I enjoy this one---Priorities---is the common word here. I whole heartidly agree with you though. It is where your priorities are. I am self employed, own three vehicles,90,93,& 95. All are in real good condition because I keep them up. My point is that my A/V system incl. acc's is way more in $$$ than all three vehicles combined. I sooo enjoy my system. If I am in the mood for music or movies I turn it on and I am in the clouds. So where we spend our money whether it be A/V or cars neither is wrong, we are both right it is what keeps us happy and sane. The waste of money is in excessive drinking, and drugs. I rest my case. Good post .
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