Materialism or Idealism is hope alive? And Request

Time too revisit this debate. It seems as though I personally have been sucked into the viscious cycle of what we euphamistically call the upgraditis bug. No this is no incredibly insightful revelation , the amount of time energy and money I have invested amazes me and I am not really unhappy.
The truth is are we merely trying the spiritually vaapid practice of materialism . Money a toys can't buy you happiness. Funny thing about that is being pooor can really suck. I think a certain kind of happiness can be bought. The best kind however has some driving principle that you are seeking out the most righteuos path in your audiopath. To the Monks there is the less than flea watt SET approach with the most minimalistic circuit possible but so pure only the rarest materials and 80 Y.O NOS tube only one no rectiiers etc. may be used. Eventually it seems this path becomes a downgradititis just as you thought an epiphanyof the final word ingood taste had enlightened you. That uncooked vegetable no seasononing cut precisley as fresh as possible gave way toa torential carnivore eating 2 and three pound prime as could be mostly raw aged porterhouse steak was what you knew was the best thing youever ate and to cut the crap . Yougorge on big all class A no platueas neveer severalhundred pound amps hot enough to cook that steak light bulb dimming power and speakers so big, bass so low, warm but not fuzzy mids and highs the salt shakes all over the table. Grinding fragrant but biting black pepper until you develop carpal tunnel syndrome. You found your center no pretense. That starving half to death was not what you felt it was a downgrade.
With the aquisition of new gear the disciplined auiophile rids himself or herself of the gear that serves the same function. Demographically, much more hims with supporting or detracting Ws or equivelants Mainly Ws I am assuming but cripes if I know or give a **** what some you do well ...leave the kids out of it OK.
If we know what is ideal why do so many end up with a collection of different pieces of equipment and accesories cables, tubes, half broken stuff I have it for what I don't know forever. It never works as a tweak for me only a potential weapon unlike those pebbles.
It all started because I like music. Now Ilike equipment as well. I find some inane excuse to hold onto much of my previous equipment choices. Yes variety is great but I really can listen to so much.Time is a limited resource
I will bring myself to a pack rat anonymous meeting when I hit bottom. Audiogon will be repleat with ads when I recover. I like my favorite performances somuch I don't care if the recording is wanting and frankly sounds terrible.
Although I like the music even more so if I think it sounds good.
Beyond that there is an incessant and compulsive belief there is always something better yet, to be discovered. I am pleased when I listen to what I have.I think man that sounds great, really. I have heard different equipment HOWEVER that seemed to sound even better or in my case just a different approach which appeals to me in some way....
How many read these classified pages routinely ? How many read product reviews routinely? Once I got my first taste of tweaking it was like what Niel Young describes as "a setting sun"
Agon help! Help us see the light, Help us break the bonds our own materialism and come to our senses propose guidelines,a code of ethics, such as nomore than 4 pairs quads etc of a particular tube.Banishment for grossly misrepresenting any item.
We must police it ourselves lest The government might step in and do what the people of for and by want beat up the men... always tax what mostly men favor... one day the G-men will discover this addiction and punish the victims No Icouldn't say when we may not exist as anything meaniongful a fraction of a generation from now or a rennaisance will occur and NOS power tubes auctions on Agon will generate as much publicity as a Van Gough does at Sothebys or Christies.
How about an amnesty period once a year when a "great trading month" will be designated. Multiple items (within limits) in one ad. Or serious discount for all types of ads. The blood will be in the water as the frenzied audiosharks feed off each other. Then peace and momentary satisfaction. PleaseOffer your own morning rant to any notion herein vetted