Why does the power of wealth always trump doing what makes sense?

hedonist

HughFreakingDillon said:

hedonist said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

good god. so the Winnipeg Jets make the playoffs. a buddy of mine I work with is paying $250 for each ticket to go to one game. Some people are selling their tickets for $1200 EACH. Some people have too much fucking money. LOL

I said the only way I'd pay $1200 to see the Jets play is if EV was on the team.

Ah, but you'd consider it (you in the general sense, Hugh, not singling you out but this is a good example) - and that's my point. It's money you've earned, and with that comes the right to spend it as you see fit for yourself, whether on necessities or luxuries or donating it or....

oh absolutely. I was more just singling out sports as I don't quite get it (see below). I would never do it, but I get it. most people think I'm nuts for travelling for a concert. or paying $50 a shot to see the Headstones 5 times on one tour (3 times in another province-flight, hotels, meals, etc).

the one thing I don't understand about paying that much for sports though, is that, with a concert, the probability of a disappointing show is probably about 10% or less. with sports, it's a crapshoot. to pay $250-$1200 for a ticket to a game you might lose and come away from depressed? that's a serious gamble in my eyes. but to a die hard sports fan, I suppose it's worth it.

Funny, I'd never even considered the sports vs concert side of it. Pretty interesting perspective and a wise gamble/investment.

(good going, ya Commie )

HughFreakingDillon

hedonist said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

hedonist said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

good god. so the Winnipeg Jets make the playoffs. a buddy of mine I work with is paying $250 for each ticket to go to one game. Some people are selling their tickets for $1200 EACH. Some people have too much fucking money. LOL

I said the only way I'd pay $1200 to see the Jets play is if EV was on the team.

Ah, but you'd consider it (you in the general sense, Hugh, not singling you out but this is a good example) - and that's my point. It's money you've earned, and with that comes the right to spend it as you see fit for yourself, whether on necessities or luxuries or donating it or....

oh absolutely. I was more just singling out sports as I don't quite get it (see below). I would never do it, but I get it. most people think I'm nuts for travelling for a concert. or paying $50 a shot to see the Headstones 5 times on one tour (3 times in another province-flight, hotels, meals, etc).

the one thing I don't understand about paying that much for sports though, is that, with a concert, the probability of a disappointing show is probably about 10% or less. with sports, it's a crapshoot. to pay $250-$1200 for a ticket to a game you might lose and come away from depressed? that's a serious gamble in my eyes. but to a die hard sports fan, I suppose it's worth it.

Funny, I'd never even considered the sports vs concert side of it. Pretty interesting perspective and a wise gamble/investment.

(good going, ya Commie )

although, I guess it's not much different if you are one of those PJ fans that travel to a show in hopes of seeing Oceans performed live so you can cross off all of Ten. LOL.

Jason P

HughFreakingDillon said:

hedonist said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

good god. so the Winnipeg Jets make the playoffs. a buddy of mine I work with is paying $250 for each ticket to go to one game. Some people are selling their tickets for $1200 EACH. Some people have too much fucking money. LOL

I said the only way I'd pay $1200 to see the Jets play is if EV was on the team.

Ah, but you'd consider it (you in the general sense, Hugh, not singling you out but this is a good example) - and that's my point. It's money you've earned, and with that comes the right to spend it as you see fit for yourself, whether on necessities or luxuries or donating it or....

oh absolutely. I was more just singling out sports as I don't quite get it (see below). I would never do it, but I get it. most people think I'm nuts for travelling for a concert. or paying $50 a shot to see the Headstones 5 times on one tour (3 times in another province-flight, hotels, meals, etc).

the one thing I don't understand about paying that much for sports though, is that, with a concert, the probability of a disappointing show is probably about 10% or less. with sports, it's a crapshoot. to pay $250-$1200 for a ticket to a game you might lose and come away from depressed? that's a serious gamble in my eyes. but to a die hard sports fan, I suppose it's worth it.

I spent $750 on a ticket for the 2006 AFC Championship between Colts / Pats. At halftime, with the score 21-3 in favor of the Pats, I considered it my worst financial investment ever ... but the Colts back out in the end and it all worked out.

I would never spend that much money for a ticket ever again, especially in the HDTV era.

HughFreakingDillon

Jason P said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

hedonist said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

good god. so the Winnipeg Jets make the playoffs. a buddy of mine I work with is paying $250 for each ticket to go to one game. Some people are selling their tickets for $1200 EACH. Some people have too much fucking money. LOL

I said the only way I'd pay $1200 to see the Jets play is if EV was on the team.

Ah, but you'd consider it (you in the general sense, Hugh, not singling you out but this is a good example) - and that's my point. It's money you've earned, and with that comes the right to spend it as you see fit for yourself, whether on necessities or luxuries or donating it or....

oh absolutely. I was more just singling out sports as I don't quite get it (see below). I would never do it, but I get it. most people think I'm nuts for travelling for a concert. or paying $50 a shot to see the Headstones 5 times on one tour (3 times in another province-flight, hotels, meals, etc).

the one thing I don't understand about paying that much for sports though, is that, with a concert, the probability of a disappointing show is probably about 10% or less. with sports, it's a crapshoot. to pay $250-$1200 for a ticket to a game you might lose and come away from depressed? that's a serious gamble in my eyes. but to a die hard sports fan, I suppose it's worth it.

I spent $750 on a ticket for the 2006 AFC Championship between Colts / Pats. At halftime, with the score 21-3 in favor of the Pats, I considered it my worst financial investment ever ... but the Colts back out in the end and it all worked out.

I would never spend that much money for a ticket ever again, especially in the HDTV era.

for a standalone championship football game I'd consider it. but hockey fans are nuts (and I'm canadian), spending that amount of money on 1/7th of the series. IMHO of course.

Last-12-Exit

How do you consider purchasing a ticket to a football game an investment?

HughFreakingDillon

Last-12-Exit said:

How do you consider purchasing a ticket to a football game an investment?

it's just a figure of speech. but technically speaking, buying anything in hopes of a "return" can be considered an investment.

hedonist

Last-12-Exit said:

How do you consider purchasing a ticket to a football game an investment?

What you get out of it?

(or what you anticipate you'll get out of it, weighed with the cost?)

It's not that different from spending a fair amount for a nice dinner - the whole experience. Sometimes you rub your belly after and are supremely satisfied, other times you're hitting the pink Pepto stuff like your life depends upon it.

rr165892

hedonist said:

What's wrong with capitalism - freedom to fail or succeed - and looking out for our fellow man as well? It's not either/or, black/white.

Dirty words are made that by the context in which they're used.

NOTHING is wrong with capatitalism.You said it all above.

rr165892

HughFreakingDillon said:

backseatLover12 said:

brianlux said:

In third world countries if you told people they could get ahead by hard work and good choices they would either give you a funny look or think, "Yeah, maybe I can eat today!"

1st world problems, Brian.

brianlux said:

This takes me back to the original question. It's unfathomable to me that the small percentage of people in this world with the majority of the power and the wealth aren't strongly focused on doing what it takes to bring stability in the world, both socially, economically and most importantly, environmentally. Instead, to a great degree, we have wars, starvation and an environment that may become inhospitable in many or perhaps all regions for human habitation. This doesn't make sense to me.

Can I ask why you feel it's unfathomable? Because I think it's typical. The story of Mr. Scrooge and seeing the error in his greedy ways, coming to terms with it and promising to be better to his fellow human seems to just be a nice story. Maybe it happens to a few, but it doesn't really happen. Of course it doesn't make sense to you, you are a caring and empathic person, you don't identify with those who place greed ahead of everything else.

Not to mention that in our capitalistic nation, the idea of taking care of each other - socialism - is a dirty word.

But not to me. I know we live in greedy times, so I'm going to give however I can. Because one person can make a difference and you alone can too. Don't let the world get you down, just do what you can to make a difference on a personal level. Because that's great in itself.

that's one thing I've always found interesting.......the amount of people, and I will say this cautiously, USUALLY, right wingers/republicans, that have an issue with living in a socialist society, with regards to obamacare, etc. Yet, how many services are social in nature already? too many to count.

what I really think is that they aren't so afraid of socialism at its core, they just don't understand it. and if it hadn't been part of the acronym for USSR, they wouldn't be so afraid of it. LOL. I get such a laugh out of people calling me a "commie" for thinking that "health care for all" is a good idea. LOL.

I'd have a big problem living under a socialist /communist society.No thank you.

rr165892

If tickets went on sale for a one off Zeppelin show,or. A one off Temple of the Dog full show.I could see value in dumping a premium on those tickets.
It's really about what the buyer perceives as value.If I'm going to already spend a lot of cash on plane tix,hotel,rent a car,over priced merch,why wouldn't I want to pay the extra for sweet once in a lifetime seats or vip access to make the experience that much more special?

If you go to festivals you know ,just the bathroom access,Bars and shade are worth it for vip upgrades.Again what's the experience and memory worth.

rgambs

rr165892 said:

hedonist said:

What's wrong with capitalism - freedom to fail or succeed - and looking out for our fellow man as well? It's not either/or, black/white.

Dirty words are made that by the context in which they're used.

NOTHING is wrong with capatitalism.You said it all above.

NOTHING???
Come on now, that's a bit extreme.

HughFreakingDillon

rr165892 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

backseatLover12 said:

brianlux said:

In third world countries if you told people they could get ahead by hard work and good choices they would either give you a funny look or think, "Yeah, maybe I can eat today!"

1st world problems, Brian.

brianlux said:

This takes me back to the original question. It's unfathomable to me that the small percentage of people in this world with the majority of the power and the wealth aren't strongly focused on doing what it takes to bring stability in the world, both socially, economically and most importantly, environmentally. Instead, to a great degree, we have wars, starvation and an environment that may become inhospitable in many or perhaps all regions for human habitation. This doesn't make sense to me.

Can I ask why you feel it's unfathomable? Because I think it's typical. The story of Mr. Scrooge and seeing the error in his greedy ways, coming to terms with it and promising to be better to his fellow human seems to just be a nice story. Maybe it happens to a few, but it doesn't really happen. Of course it doesn't make sense to you, you are a caring and empathic person, you don't identify with those who place greed ahead of everything else.

Not to mention that in our capitalistic nation, the idea of taking care of each other - socialism - is a dirty word.

But not to me. I know we live in greedy times, so I'm going to give however I can. Because one person can make a difference and you alone can too. Don't let the world get you down, just do what you can to make a difference on a personal level. Because that's great in itself.

that's one thing I've always found interesting.......the amount of people, and I will say this cautiously, USUALLY, right wingers/republicans, that have an issue with living in a socialist society, with regards to obamacare, etc. Yet, how many services are social in nature already? too many to count.

what I really think is that they aren't so afraid of socialism at its core, they just don't understand it. and if it hadn't been part of the acronym for USSR, they wouldn't be so afraid of it. LOL. I get such a laugh out of people calling me a "commie" for thinking that "health care for all" is a good idea. LOL.

I'd have a big problem living under a socialist /communist society.No thank you.

but socialism isn't the same as communism. communism bastardizes it and takes it to an EXTREME. I don't think anyone would like to live in a communist society.

HughFreakingDillon

rr165892 said:

If tickets went on sale for a one off Zeppelin show,or. A one off Temple of the Dog full show.I could see value in dumping a premium on those tickets.
It's really about what the buyer perceives as value.If I'm going to already spend a lot of cash on plane tix,hotel,rent a car,over priced merch,why wouldn't I want to pay the extra for sweet once in a lifetime seats or vip access to make the experience that much more special?

If you go to festivals you know ,just the bathroom access,Bars and shade are worth it for vip upgrades.Again what's the experience and memory worth.

fo sho.

rgambs

Capitalism has it's share of problems just like any other system, socialism included.
Folks get by just fine in "socialist" countries across the world.
Of course, they are only considered socialist to the laissez faire capitalists in America, the home of corporations with personhood rights and politicians who work for them.

HughFreakingDillon

exactly. I think it's funny that so many americans hate and fear socialism yet they reap the benefits of living in an 80% socialist country.

rr165892

rgambs said:

rr165892 said:

hedonist said:

What's wrong with capitalism - freedom to fail or succeed - and looking out for our fellow man as well? It's not either/or, black/white.

Dirty words are made that by the context in which they're used.

NOTHING is wrong with capatitalism.You said it all above.

NOTHING???
Come on now, that's a bit extreme.

There may some things that need tweaking with capitalism.Ill give you that.
But just look at the mess in Venezaula,Cuba and some others that practice socialized living.Not good at all

eddiec

rr165892 said:

rgambs said:

rr165892 said:

hedonist said:

What's wrong with capitalism - freedom to fail or succeed - and looking out for our fellow man as well? It's not either/or, black/white.

Dirty words are made that by the context in which they're used.

NOTHING is wrong with capatitalism.You said it all above.

NOTHING???
Come on now, that's a bit extreme.

There may some things that need tweaking with capitalism.Ill give you that.
But just look at the mess in Venezaula,Cuba and some others that practice socialized living.Not good at all

As with anything there needs to be a middle ground. Regarding Cuba, now that Raul has allowed people to own their houses and businesses the country is witnessing an economic surge.
And it wasn't really socialism that hurt Cuba, it was a combination of Fidel's control of the people coupled with the US embargo.

hedonist

"allowed people to own their houses and businesses" - goodness, that sounds like something from another strange(r?) era.

Just reading over on the Porch about the Pete Townshend/Ed charity deal coming up, the ticket prices. Makes me wonder too about the various political fundraising events at $XX,XXX a seat. Strikes me as strange that these expenses are quite alright but others deemed greedy.

Who makes that decision of what is worthwhile, of who is worthwhile? I'd rather draw my own line.

riotgrl

Why is the only option capitalism or socialism? What about localism? What about working together as a community to achieve common goals? The heart of capitalism is profit and that is achieved through competition. I think it is to entirely untrue to say that 'if you work hard, you'll get ahead.' Aren't there advantages we are given or born with that contribute to our (material) success? And, really, isn't material success what we really mean when we talk about the benefits of capitalism?

Globalization is a huge part of the problem IMO. The only way to be a (materially) successful person/country/corporation is to participate in the global economy and that is fully rooted in capitalism.

rr165892

hedonist said:

"allowed people to own their houses and businesses" - goodness, that sounds like something from another strange(r?) era.

Just reading over on the Porch about the Pete Townshend/Ed charity deal coming up, the ticket prices. Makes me wonder too about the various political fundraising events at $XX,XXX a seat. Strikes me as strange that these expenses are quite alright but others deemed greedy.

Who makes that decision of what is worthwhile, of who is worthwhile? I'd rather draw my own line.

If it is a cause or party you support then it is perceived as having value.If you are opposed to the same you will look at it as a waste.