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Veblen goods

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Re: Veblen goods

#91
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, see and that's the thing: I simply cannot even imagine having a hobby that would have me spend thousands of dollars. I would sooner switch hobbies. I mean, I don't mind if others have such hobbies -- to each their own. As a matter of fact, I have some friends, too, who are into collecting expensive watches. Yet, I still don't get it, just like in the grandparent comment.

> I simply cannot even imagine having a hobby that would have me spend thousands of dollars. I would sooner switch hobbies. Your imagination needs work. Being on HN, I'd assume that you have at least one hobby that necessitates a significant amount of electronics (gaming console + TV, monitor + PC, laptop). Any one of these (if you actually care about the hobby) will run you thousands of dollars. You'll probably dodg…

You will be surprised but I don't have a gaming console, my TV is an old bulky tube one, and the last laptop I bought (and still use) was a netbook for under $300. That's exactly why I said I would not spend thousands of dollars - I do spend _some_ money on my hobbies but it's nowhere near the sums that expensive watches are traded for.

Re: Veblen goods

#92
post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I simply cannot even imagine having a hobby that would have me spend thousands of dollars. I would sooner switch hobbies. Your imagination needs work. Being on HN, I'd assume that you have at least one hobby that necessitates a significant amount of electronics (gaming console + TV, monitor + PC, laptop). Any one of these (if you actually care about the hobby) will run you thousands of dollars. You'll probably dodg…

a lot of people really do nothing but watch tv at home all night. it's truly incredible. I am guessing there is a subset of these people that do not think about expensive hobbies at all, let alone reading about one or attempting to imagine one.

I don't see the juxtaposition of watching TV all night and having an expensive hobby. There is a middle ground: having an inexpensive hobby.
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