The idea that "more expensive" must indicate the direction of an upgrade is where the true audiophile and the mere spender part ways.
Nietzsche and Runaway Audio Consumption
Came across this today. A lot of posts bring up the issue of "how much is enough?" or "when is audio consumption justified" etc.
Does this Nietzsche aphorism apply to audio buying? You be the judge!
Friedrich Nietzsche: “Danger in riches. — Only he who has spirit ought to have possessions: otherwise possessions are a public danger. For the possessor who does not know how to make use of the free time which his possessions could purchase him will always continue to strive after possessions: this striving will constitute his entertainment, his strategy in his war against boredom.
Thus in the end the moderate possessions that would suffice the man of spirit are transformed into actual riches – riches which are in fact the glittering product of spiritual dependence and poverty. They only appear quite different from what their wretched origin would lead one to expect because they are able to mask themselves with art and culture: for they are, of course, able to purchase masks. By this means they arouse envy in the poorer and the uncultivated – who at bottom are envying culture and fail to recognize the masks as masks – and gradually prepare a social revolution: for gilded vulgarity and histrionic self-inflation in a supposed ‘enjoyment of culture’ instil into the latter the idea ‘it is only a matter of money’ – whereas, while it is to some extent a matter of money, it is much more a matter of spirit.”
Nietzsche, Friedrich. 1996. Human, All Too Human: A Book for Free Spirits. Cambridge University Press. (p. 283-4, an aphorism no. 310)
I'm pretty sure @mahgister will want to read this one! (Because they speak so artfully about avoiding the diversion that consumption poses to the quest for true aesthetic and acoustic excellence.)
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"Mandated mass vaccination for ALL is a destruction of health and freedom"
Absolutely. It's good to see that the party shenanigans of our colourful leader Boris have derailed the tyrannical march towards jab mandates in England at least. Could also be that the National Health Service could ill afford to have 100,000 staff dismissed for their unwillingness to participate in a global experimental drug trial. Even audiophiles cannot live in a bubble. These past 2 years have been life changing for many people and not in a better way. We have all witnessed what uncurbed lust for money and power can lead to. As we know both money and power usually go hand in hand and both can be extremely corrosive, not to mention extremely dangerous too.
Whilst the likes of Pfizer and the global banks may be congratulating themselves the physical, psychological and economic harm done to millions of people will be incalculable.
In any case there is always a strong argument for spending money wisely and never more than now. Forums such as this can certainly help to bring high quality playback sound to within the reach of an increasing number of people. In fact this might well be a new golden age for budget audio. Perhaps we have never had it so good?
The idea that "more expensive" must indicate the direction of an upgrade is where the true audiophile and the mere spender part ways.
I'd agree, although there are some who still like to see it the other way around. It's great for the audio industry to have these big spenders bring in desperately needed capital. In fact we need more, not less of these folks. Long may they continue to please their hearts and fancies, what else is life about, but please don't insist you're doing it for reasons of sound quality.
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Wise post and observation... I think the same as you... I dont need any upgrade and i dont feel frustrated at all with my 500 bucks system now, thanks to acoustic method, but there is always place to a better results and a better design .. the only question is at which cost and for which improvement? Acoustic cost me NOTHING...
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Pfizer is a criminal organization , not a corporation dedicated FIRST AND LAST to health at all save for brainwashed sleepwalkers... It take few seconds to pick among many others criminal pursuits this one only... This is only ONE legal action from 2009.. Do you think that this corporation improved from 2009 and before? https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/pfizer-pays-record-fine-for-illegal-promotions-1.789220 «Over the years, the company has also faced lawsuits where consumers claimed the drugmaker sold defective drugs, and the U.S. government has charged the company with health care fraud.» |
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