Attitudes....

[David M]

I just finished reading the end of a thread that contained quotes like this and must respond with a new thread because I would be taking the old thread off topic.

I read the following: "I realize there are those who need their egos stroked all the time and owning the "best" things is one way they find gratification...especially if they can rub it in other peoples faces."

..and "technology is getting alot more advance. but it doesn't mean you have to keep up all the time. you have to determine what are the needs and wants. otherwise it's a waste of money"

Well from my "ego" and "waste of money" perspective...sometimes its just plain fun to make something thats beyond what you need. Nobody needs a hobby. I don't fault someone for buying a Corvette for example. Are they necessary?..No. Are they fun?..Yes.

I built the computer I have because I really wanted to build a high end computer. I enjoy the technology and wanted to learn about the technology first hand. Do I need to play games?..No. Is it fun to play games at high framerates with all the game features turned up?..Yes. For myself its a hobby I really enjoy. It's fun to see how fast I can make a computer go. If you had the choice would you rather build a Ferrari or a Yugo from scratch?

If one is not spending their money irresponsibly, you can't fault them for spending their money however they wish. We don't all own a computer for exactly the same reasons.

Yes, its irritating to hear someone brag about their computer. But its also easy to mistake bragging from someone just wanting to talk about their computer. New parents like to talk about their baby. This is a normal and natural thing. It is their creation and they have a certain sense of pride. The feelings a new parent has are not much different from someone who has created something with their own hands and mind.

It's also human nature for one person to want to discuss somethng they have in common with another person. If you post your computer specs..thats not bragging..its a way of finding somone else who you may have something in common with. In here, its also a practical way of stating what you have in order to get help.

What I find more irritating than bragging is the self-riteous attitude some people have about how others choose to spend their money on computers.

You cant fault people for doing what they want with their own money. There are as many different priorities as their are people in this world.

[netnamakan]

Very well written David.

I have agree with you here, having read through the 'dual core..' thread.

Pcmech sometimes seems to get stuck in these..I don't know stereoptype 'ruts'
Anyways, nothins perfect

[Jaggannath]

Why does it worry you?? Unless someone directly specifies you're one of these, and if you don't feel like one, then you're not. They're talking about the people who buy it to talk about it, not the people who buy it to use it.

I try to never take anything personally in life, as generally they're either not meant to be, true, or from a misinformed person.

[james8547]

Originally Posted by David M What I find more irritating than bragging is the self-riteous attitude some people have about how others choose to spend their money on computers. You cant fault people for doing what they want with their own money. There are as many different priorities as their are people in this world.

Recently, I started to keep this in mind. In real life, I always talk about saving your money for retirement. I always try to convince others to put money in their 401k and/or IRA. It comes to the point that it irritates the them (just ask my bro).

On one hand, I know that I have a good and valid point. I know that if people don't save for retirement, I'll be paying for it through taxes later on. On the other hand, it's their money, and their life. It's their choice to spend now instead of later.

This reminds me of that ant and grasshopper fable. The only difference is that the ant would have to share his swag with the grasshopper.

[Cricket]

From a another perspective...sometimes it's the people with the up to date killer rigs who look down upon (and sometimes even belittle) those of us with older, slower systems (I've been a victim of this several times).

My feelings on the matter has always been to this: use the computer you need. If you're a gamer and need a fast up to date machine, then that's what you should be using. But not all of us are gamers, some of us just need a good reliable system with decent speed and capabilities.

Just because we hang out at this forum doesn't mean we all need to have the latest and greatest in our computers.

Cricket

[digitalfreedom64]

Extremelly well written David and Cricket. I find the braggers annoying as well but these self-riteous people who look down on others because of the way they spend money on computers, I really can't stad those either.
Cricket, I feel ya on the belittling thing. Especially as more and more people at this site get their hands on a 64bit rig. I don't think my systems (P4 2.4C and AXPM2500+@2.2ghz) aren't as old as yours but I still catch it from these 64 bit users. I'll probly be joining em in the next year or so but you can count on me not to lord it over your heads.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Originally Posted by Cricket Just because we hang out at this forum doesn't mean we all need to have the latest and greatest in our computers.

Or be AMD-lovers, benchmarks-freaks, Firefox-toting enthusiasts, big-sized sigs bullies, Google experts, and other things that make one "cool" and "computer savvy".

[Mac Medic]

I have always been and will always be a proponent of buying whatever is futureproof. Why "underbuy" knowing you'll have to buy again in a shorter period of time when you can futureproof yourself buy spending a little extra right now?. I don't necessarily think it's extravagant or boastful, just plain sensible economics.

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by David M What I find more irritating than bragging is the self-riteous attitude some people have about how others choose to spend their money...

...not just on computers, David. Anything that others classify as a "want" or luxury (for them) rather than a "need" has become a target in our society for the do-gooders that abhor waste. Money gives you choices and how you spend it is your own personal business. However, throwing it up to someone else that your stuff (in whatever category) is better cuz it's newer or more expensive is bragadocious. And only makes the braggard look small.

Cricket (and glc) may have machines with older technology but that has nothing to do with how much knowledge they have to offer. I admire folks who have great knowledge and offer it to others without asking for anything in return. That's what PC Mech is all about.

Unfortunately, I see the pendulum swing both ways. Not only are those who choose to use "older" computers criticized, sometimes it's the guy who quietly displays his latest toy in his sig that catches the wrath of others for bragging. No different than washing your Corvette in your driveway. Someone will drive past and make some snide remark about the excesses of others. While some (like me) will stop to admire a fine piece of machinery and say "hello" to someone that shares a common interest - nice cars! Just because you have had troubles with an AMD doesn't make all AMD processors inferior. And just because I still use IE6 doesn't mean I need to put down the folks that chose to use FireFox or some other browser. This constant bickering over personal preferences is the reason we don't allow the VS threads any more. The only thing worse than a braggard is a narrow minded fan boy!

I have pride in the machines I own and what they do for me. I'm not competing with anyone. And now I hang out here at PC Mech to possibly share some small shard of knowledge that will make someone else's life easier or more productive. It's a way to return some of the massive info I have taken from here and used to my advantage. Hope some of this made sense. I tend to ramble and the thoughts may not be cohesive. Hopefully the message(s) is clear.

[Floppyman]

To a certain extent it's advice too (on spending money on whatever). Advice free and anyone can choose to take it or not. I'm totally in agreement that everyone can choose their money however they want. But just because someone is talking about spending money wisely is not necessary calling you wasteful, it might just be advice and more directly only an opinion. Just my $.02

[Jaggannath]

It made sense PR, believe me. I'm a conformist to the Corvette example, why be jealous or accuse of wastefulness someone elses purchase, when it's a nice machine and you can help them share their pride in it?? (unless, of course, it's a motorbike and they insist on revving it at 0800 h on Sunday morning like my neighbours son used to do grrrr)

Like I said, I take nothing personally, life's easier that way. My new laptop is, in a way, 'wasteful' because I virtually went top of the line. But that was because they were offering $1k off the normal price, and it is now my gaming and transportable work machine, and I don't intend to replace it for a VERY long time

Reminds me of a quote I once heard:
"attitudes can be dangerous... mine could kill you"

[David M]

Well.. Nobody like snobs either. Whether its putting down someone elses computer or putting down anything someone else owns.

I hope that nobody is taking this personally. I like everyone in here. There is a ton of knowledge in here that I admire. I would be happy with just 10% of the knowledge contained by the members and leaders of his forum.

Something just got under my skin and I had to respond.

[digitalfreedom64]

Originally Posted by David M I like everyone in here. There is a ton of knowledge in here that I admire. I would be happy with just 10% of the knowledge contained by the members and leaders of his forum.

Same for me. The people here are great. I learned most of what I know from here, way before I ever started posting.

[Jaggannath]

Originally Posted by David M Well.. Nobody like snobs either. Whether its putting down someone elses computer or putting down anything someone else owns. I hope that nobody is taking this personally. I like everyone in here. There is a ton of knowledge in here that I admire. I would be happy with just 10% of the knowledge contained by the members and leaders of his forum. Something just got under my skin and I had to respond.

That's what we're in the General Forum for... mature, informed discussion of opinions, and yours is perfectly reasonable, so feel free to vent your spleen. For every one person who speaks out about something, there's 5-10 people sitting in their seats reading and prolly glad that you did, just like asking questions

[Sauron]

Um, David M; I am really hoping it wasn't my post on that thread "Dual-Core Wars...it now begins" that bothered you. I was just joking, it wasn't meant to offend anyone on here.