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.)

128x128hilde45

You said too much and you said too less...

Spitting is not thinking....

And do you speak about everyone ignorance in this thread or only mine?

If it is mine, enlighten me... If you dare to speak about all the people alleged ignorance indistinctly in this thread spare us your spitting, stay silent....

 

 

«It is not ignorance but the blinders habit which are breathtaking»-Anonymus Smith

 

 

So much ignorance on here it’s breathtaking.

Takes my breath away!

Was going to post, but the conversation has taken a turn toward mean, political dick wagging.

Sorry.

The idea that "more expensive" must indicate the direction of an upgrade is where the true audiophile and the mere spender part ways.

@mahgister 

 

"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.


Thankfully an increasing amount of people are waking up and many will demand an explanation. Unfortunately I suspect that like JFK assassination and 9/11, they'll be waiting a very long time.
[Hopefully not the 75 years demanded by Pfizer].

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?

 

@erik_squires 

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.