Effects of Bias on Human Perception
This shows objectively that the wine drinkers enjoyed the high-priced
wines more. If you're analogizing to audio, the case is that audiophiles
may be fooling themselves, but they really are enjoying themselves more.
What they are enjoying the the self-satisfaction that they are
rich enough to afford the expensive stuff.
I buy expensive rocks and expensive vacations. It is quite evident
to me that I get a feeling of pleasure from the mere fact that
I can afford such things, independent of the "real" value of the
product itself.
If I can get the same product cheaper, I get a feeling of pleasure,
but a different one. This is quite clear.
I get a feeling of great pleasure that I can't tell the difference
in sound between a $0.30 MP3 from eMusic and a $18 CD of exactly
the same performance. I note that I like classical music, and sometimes one
finds the 52 minute single track! This pleasure is some compensation
for getting old enough that I can't hear the difference any more.
Doug McDonald
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