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Diamonds Are Bullshit

blog.priceonomics.com

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Re: Diamonds Are Bullshit

#731

Post by learc83 »

transitionality wrote: post #728
maratd wrote: post #696

Earlier quoted context omitted.

All mates are attracted to money, some are simply more attracted than others. > If the girl is even slightly intelligent she'll be able to make an assessment without needing a glittery ring. Because she's clairvoyant? An expensive car can be rented or borrowed, a house can be inherited, bank statements easily faked. Men do these sorts of things. Frequently. But a ring she has been pining on and on about? A ring she c…

A diamond is just as easily faked as a bank statement.

The OP said,

>A ring she can easily get appraised?

right before he talked about how hard it is to fake.

You can't fake a diamond that will fool an appraiser just as easily as a bank statement. It's much easier to covertly verify the value of diamond than the validity of a bank statement.

Re: Diamonds Are Bullshit

#732

Post by darkarmani »

n09n wrote: post #712
darkarmani wrote: post #586

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Wanting the respect of others in your peer group is sad now? Wanting superficial respect based on material things is sad.

Why do you care what the respect is based on? What differentiates "superficial" respect from genuine respect? I guarantee you the criteria you use to judge people look equally ridiculous to other people too.

Are you from debeers or did are you someone who bought a huge rock for their wife?

> What differentiates "superficial" respect from genuine respect?

This question is quite telling.

Re: Diamonds Are Bullshit

#733

Post by transitionality »

learc83 wrote: post #731
transitionality wrote: post #728

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A diamond is just as easily faked as a bank statement.

The OP said, >A ring she can easily get appraised? right before he talked about how hard it is to fake. You can't fake a diamond that will fool an appraiser just as easily as a bank statement. It's much easier to covertly verify the value of diamond than the validity of a bank statement.

Both can be faked equally easily, given equivalent verification mechanisms.

Without the help of professional services, a layman can be easily fooled in either context.

However, if the layman is going to get the diamond appraised by a professional, then the same standard should be applied to the other task. One can likewise use professional services to accurately determine a person's net worth.

My point remains.

Re: Diamonds Are Bullshit

#734

Post by transitionality »

gfodor wrote: post #676
paganel wrote: post #544

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If that is worthless then find me something that makes her so happy that isn't worthless and I would have bought that instead. You could try with true feelings, they don't cost much.

The best part about diamond threads are when people see fit to judge other people's relationships over it. If you don't want to buy her a diamond, fine. But realize what an asshole you sound like when you judge other people over something as stupid as if they bought an engagement ring.

> realize what an asshole you sound like when you judge other people

I'll just let you read what you wrote.

Re: Diamonds Are Bullshit

#735

Post by transitionality »

cobrausn wrote: post #49

Sure, and we all know it. But from her perspective, you probably waste all kinds of time and money on other inane bullshit for yourself. So if you actually cared, you wouldn't mind spending a bit so she gets a shiny rock to wear around. Why shouldn't she get this one thing? Also, how is this any different from fashion? Both are nearly useless raw materials that have been transformed and shaped into something people w…

Because it's literally worthless.

Re: Diamonds Are Bullshit

#736

Post by transitionality »

jamesaguilar wrote: post #659
VexXtreme wrote: post #592

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How are they reprehensible? What exactly makes them reprehensible? I don't recall him saying anything an adult internet user should find offensive. The man is expressing his opinion and if you're bothered by that, perhaps you should consider turning off your computer and not participating in internet discussions. There are plenty of places in this world where people won't offend your delicate sensibilities.

> expressing his opinion He expressed his opinion that women are inscrutable and more susceptible to irrational impulses, but failed to provide any rational evidence of the same. This is sexist. The fact that it's "his opinion" and "his right to express it" buys him nothing in my book. > consider turning off your computer I'm fine where I am, thanks.

You're proving his point with your overreaction.

Re: Diamonds Are Bullshit

#737

Post by learc83 »

transitionality wrote: post #733
learc83 wrote: post #731

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The OP said, >A ring she can easily get appraised? right before he talked about how hard it is to fake. You can't fake a diamond that will fool an appraiser just as easily as a bank statement. It's much easier to covertly verify the value of diamond than the validity of a bank statement.

Both can be faked equally easily, given equivalent verification mechanisms. Without the help of professional services, a layman can be easily fooled in either context. However, if the layman is going to get the diamond appraised by a professional, then the same standard should be applied to the other task. One can likewise use professional services to accurately determine a person's net worth. My point remains.

To get a ring appraised you can walk into a jewelry store and pay $100 without the person who bought the diamond knowing about it.

That is simply not possible to do with a bank statement, there is no equivalent easy to use affordable service.

Re: Diamonds Are Bullshit

#738

Post by jamesaguilar »

transitionality wrote: post #736
jamesaguilar wrote: post #659

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> expressing his opinion He expressed his opinion that women are inscrutable and more susceptible to irrational impulses, but failed to provide any rational evidence of the same. This is sexist. The fact that it's "his opinion" and "his right to express it" buys him nothing in my book. > consider turning off your computer I'm fine where I am, thanks.

You're proving his point with your overreaction.

What point am I proving?

Re: Diamonds Are Bullshit

#739

Post by Mz »

I am late to the party. I was hoping to see more discussion of the brilliant marketing and people trying to take away some tips on how to grow their own businesses. Nope. Precious little discussion of marketing. De Beers was extremely brilliant. Everyone's short hairs seem to be caught in this vortex, contrary to the usual HN discussions.

I will note that I think there is validity to the idea that willingness to pay a high "bride price" of some sort has actual value. But it's after midnight and this conversation is essentially dead already. So I think I will not waste my time elaborating. No one will read this comment anyway. :-)

Later.

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