Diamonds a girls best friend? I think not!

[Revoltingest]

Sure, diamonds have less intrinsic value than some items (eg, bread, lumber, bacon), but they're no different from paintings,
sculptures, plays, concerts & other expensive luxuries with value either ephemeral or also based upon contrived scarcity.
Similarly, if I go snowboarding, there is no lasting value for my money either. People spend their cash in ways which make
them happy. Oh, one particular way doesn't please you? Then don't spend yours that way.

 

[ninerbuff]

Sure, diamonds have less intrinsic value than some items (eg, bread, lumber, bacon), but they're no different from paintings,
sculptures, plays, concerts & other expensive luxuries with value either ephemeral or also based upon contrived scarcity.
Similarly, if I go snowboarding, there is no lasting value for my money either. People spend their cash in ways which make
them happy. Oh, one particular way doesn't please you? Then don't spend yours that way.

Well I could debate you that snowboarding is exercise which impacts your health and physical well being, which intern may reduce any medical expenditure later, but you're right it's about how people perceive what's valuable and what's not.
I've been through the gold and diamonds phase, and still have them I just don't wear them anymore. I guess I'm just disappointed that in today's society, items of value seem to be the measure of a person. Sadly, I think that's why many people go bankrupt because of trying to attain material statis.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Gifts or purchases of beautiful things (from works of art to sports cars) usually have very little to do with utilitarian purposes. And I can assure you that a beautiful diamond on the hand of a woman who loves you can be a very good investment indeed.

Yep.

I'm into Martin guitars, so when we come into some money (which is rare), my wife and I take turns getting stuff that is expensive (for us). It's sorta lop-sided because she gets cars and I get a guitar, but it keeps both of us happy. I'd rather buy a $3k guitar than put a down payment on a car, and she'd rather (or I'd rather her) drive a newer car that she likes and is more reliable than my old pickup.

Funny thing is that both my guitars and my pickup have out lasted five of her cars. And some of them were really nice.

 

[ninerbuff]

Yep.

I'm into Martin guitars, so when we come into some money (which is rare), my wife and I take turns getting stuff that is expensive (for us). It's sorta lop-sided because she gets cars and I get a guitar, but it keeps both of us happy. I'd rather buy a $3k guitar than put a down payment on a car, and she'd rather (or I'd rather her) drive a newer car that she likes and is more reliable than my old pickup.

Funny thing is that both my guitars and my pickup have out lasted five of her cars. And some of them were really nice.

Martin guitars are nice! 12 or six string?

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Martin guitars are nice! 12 or six string?

I've been getting 6 strings.

I love to buy and sell. Right now I have a D-18, a D-15, and a Recording King RO-26 (which I love!). I really like the D-16 12 string but they are hard to come by.

I do like the older Washburn 12 strings - I bought a really nice one a few years ago and the wife made me take it back. My next guitar will be a 12 string.

I've had an HD-28, 00-17, D-18 (which I hate myself for selling, it's my avatar), a Gibson Songbird, and a D-16.

 

[ninerbuff]

I've been getting 6 strings.

I love to buy and sell. Right now I have a D-18, a D-15, and a Recording King RO-26 (which I love!). I really like the D-16 12 string but they are hard to come by.

I do like the older Washburn 12 strings - I bought a really nice one a few years ago and the wife made me take it back. My next guitar will be a 12 string.

I've had an HD-28, 00-17, D-18 (which I hate myself for selling, it's my avatar), a Gibson Songbird, and a D-16.

I play (use to be in a Polynesian dancing group with live music), but haven't invested more than $200. I have a Yamaha, but can't remember what model. I want a 12 string though. Might start looking again once the roof on the house is replaced!

 

[angellous_evangellous]

I play (use to be in a Polynesian dancing group with live music), but haven't invested more than $200. I have a Yamaha, but can't remember what model. I want a 12 string though. Might start looking again once the roof on the house is replaced!

Sweet. Martins are getting very affordable due to the economy. They have a new "1" series that is all solid wood for $800 or so... so you might get a nice used one for around $350 later on. Right now their X series goes for $350 used, and they are great guitars.

Anyway, those Washburns that I like so much are $250 or a little more. I can't wait to get my hands on one again.

 

[Willamena]

First let me say this thread was kinda influenced by niner's thread on wearing wedding rings. I personally think its terrible that society has influenced us and most particularly women, that material objects are symbols of love. With a 55% divorce rate in the United States I hardly doubt it. Watching endless commercials of men kneeling showing their gift of long lasting bliss to a desired loved one is even more sickening. Of course I am not here to change social norms rather, argue against them. I believe love is intangible, immaterial, and irreplacable (this is arguable since people remarry) and no stone, or material substance can reflect that. In fact wedding rings rarely symbolize love. After all cheaters wear their wedding bands!

I would be lying if I said I wouldn't purchase one. Only reason I would is out of social conformity not because I believe in them.

The material object takes on new significance, though, when it becomes a symbolic object. The ring represents a tanglible demonstration of the bond, the commitment, and the responsibility undertaken.

I agree with you about the approach commercialism takes, though.

 

[ninerbuff]

The material object takes on new significance, though, when it becomes a symbolic object. The ring represents a tanglible demonstration of the bond, the commitment, and the responsibility undertaken.

I agree with you about the approach commercialism takes, though.

But don't many married women have diamond wedding rings that are unhappy with their current marriage? I'm thinking that ring on the finger means off limits, but not necessarily a happy marriage.
Heck, I think a tattoo with someone's name has more significance only because it takes much more to "take it off" unlike a ring if something doesn't go right.

 

[RitalinO.D.]

What a joke! I gurantee if the Warden SS invaded your home or the Red army or any other country opposed to the US, you'd be in a concentration camp eating slop. In all ancient cultures a defense of the nation is necessary to ward off potential invaders. Just because you can fight individually doesn't mean you can fight an army. Oh and the millions of people you refer to are only a fraction. The average citizen doesn't own a tank, stealth jet or any other piece of defensive equipment that would give them a fighting chance. So yeah fat chance if the US didn't have the best military in the world. But I forgot you're post-anarchism garb is typical. That is why I served, so you have an opportunity to speak such trash

Agreed. People have the right to speak out against a military (a freedom provided by said military), but at the end of the day, without that military, the US (and most countries) would be very different places. I am proud to serve, and find it very honorable.

When people speak out against the military, it reminds me of a very specific quote from a movie, which pretty much says it all...edited for obvious clarity and relevance..

And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to.

Incase you are not familiar with the quote, it's from "A few Good Men". And while it's relevance is a bit off from the OP, it was merely a reply to another post within this topic, and pretty much how most Military members feel when they are attacked or ridiculed for the job they do.

 

[RitalinO.D.]

Sweet. Martins are getting very affordable due to the economy. They have a new "1" series that is all solid wood for $800 or so... so you might get a nice used one for around $350 later on. Right now their X series goes for $350 used, and they are great guitars.

Anyway, those Washburns that I like so much are $250 or a little more. I can't wait to get my hands on one again.

Oh, and I'm a huge fan of Martin Acoustics. The sound is unmatched. For electrics, I'm a PRS man personally.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Oh, and I'm a huge fan of Martin Acoustics. The sound is unmatched. For electrics, I'm a PRS man personally.

PRS is very cool - but a Telecaster is the first on my list - just the bottom of the line American. But right now I'm playing an Epiphone Les Paul Junior and I love it. If I played in public I'd have something better, but for just jamming in my room it hasn't dissappointed me yet.

 

[Songbird]

PRS is very cool - but a Telecaster is the first on my list - just the bottom of the line American. But right now I'm playing an Epiphone Les Paul Junior and I love it. If I played in public I'd have something better, but for just jamming in my room it hasn't dissappointed me yet.

:drool:

But Mac Daddy Pherson rocks my face off.

 

[dust1n]

What a joke! I gurantee if the Warden SS invaded your home or the Red army or any other country opposed to the US, you'd be in a concentration camp eating slop.

Ok then, prove it. What concentration camp operates with a capacity of more than a few hundred thousand people? And why should I be concerned with the Warden SS or the Red Army when they don't even exist anymore? Why would I, in my rather useless strategic location, need to worry about my home being invaded. This isn't 1930's Russia, you can just drive tanks into this city and expect to get very far for at least very long. What a joke...

In all ancient cultures a defense of the nation is necessary to ward off potential invaders.

Ok? Do I live in an ancient culture?

Just because you can fight individually doesn't mean you can fight an army.

Really? Who formally fights an invading army? Would I really need to make the same mistakes as George Washington?

Oh and the millions of people you refer to are only a fraction. The average citizen doesn't own a tank, stealth jet or any other piece of defensive equipment that would give them a fighting chance.

Neither than the Viet Cong, and they defended against the French for several years when it was almost entirely supported by American funds, and then defended directly against America for over a decade. I can provide more examples, but I figured if you were interested in military history you would probably look it up yourself.

So yeah fat chance if the US didn't have the best military in the world. But I forgot you're post-anarchism garb is typical. That is why I served, so you have an opportunity to speak such trash

Please, don't utilize words you don't know the meaning to, it really reduces the quality of conversation. And don't kid yourself about 'why you served.' It was not to ensure that myself could insult you later on for what you did. Your life circumstances made it convenient to join the army and make a fine living. You were asked to join the army so America can continue to occupy hundreds of countries and ensure free trade and control of the allocation of resources. So, don't bother kidding yourself that you were doing it for me. You did it for your own purposes whatever they may be.

 

[RitalinO.D.]

And don't kid yourself about 'why you served.' It was not to ensure that myself could insult you later on for what you did. Your life circumstances made it convenient to join the army and make a fine living. You were asked to join the army so America can continue to occupy hundreds of countries and ensure free trade and control of the allocation of resources. So, don't bother kidding yourself that you were doing it for me. You did it for your own purposes whatever they may be.

Wow, you seem to have quite a negative opinion of the country you live in. Why do you live here then?

 

[dust1n]

Sure, diamonds have less intrinsic value than some items (eg, bread, lumber, bacon), but they're no different from paintings,
sculptures, plays, concerts & other expensive luxuries with value either ephemeral or also based upon contrived scarcity.
Similarly, if I go snowboarding, there is no lasting value for my money either. People spend their cash in ways which make
them happy. Oh, one particular way doesn't please you? Then don't spend yours that way.

I would certainly agree if every item of trade required such a ridiculous amount of exploitation and violence. 20% of the entire trade is illicit and the market fuels warfare in Africa. Some of the externalizations of our consumerism is not really an acceptable thing, and the overall affect on society is lessened, not cultivated.

 

[dust1n]

Agreed. People have the right to speak out against a military (a freedom provided by said military), but at the end of the day, without that military, the US (and most countries) would be very different places. I am proud to serve, and find it very honorable.

Yes, they would be very different places. About 100 or so would not be occupied by a giant imperial power. High tech rifles would not be as prevalent in their societies from all the arms deals we provide to their dictators... I could go on. And that freedom isn't provided by said military. Ever heard of the Truman Doctrine? We arguably didn't have free speech at any point in time. Also feel free to take a look at America's political prisoners.

When people speak out against the military, it reminds me of a very specific quote from a movie, which pretty much says it all...edited for obvious clarity and relevance..

Oh wow.. a Hollywood movie affirming the perpetual myth of military honor and duty... what a surprise. I often look to movies too to affirm my positions in reality.

Incase you are not familiar with the quote, it's from "A few Good Men". And while it's relevance is a bit off from the OP, it was merely a reply to another post within this topic, and pretty much how most Military members feel when they are attacked or ridiculed for the job they do.

So? They shoot people? Why should I care how they feel when I criticize them for doing it.

 

[dust1n]

Wow, you seem to have quite a negative opinion of the country you live in. Why do you live here then?

Because I woke up one day. What kind of ******* question is that? If you want to provide the $50k it would take for me to relocate to a different, I patiently await your check.

 

[RitalinO.D.]

Why would I, in my rather useless strategic location, need to worry about my home being invaded.

You wouldn't have to worry, because of the military.

It doesn't have to be ancient times to realize that a strong military is a deterrent to one country invading another. You think Israel would be safe (relatively speaking) if they didn't have such a powerful military? What else would be stopping Insurgents/geurilla's from flooding the border from Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, or Jordan and killing civilians based solely on their religious views?

While your little town may not be a strategic location, Our country is, location wise. It would be quite difficult for another country, short of Canada and Mexico to invade it. However, without a military, I would wager there would be some that would try, and would probably succeed.

 

[Kathryn]

But don't many married women have diamond wedding rings that are unhappy with their current marriage? I'm thinking that ring on the finger means off limits, but not necessarily a happy marriage.
Heck, I think a tattoo with someone's name has more significance only because it takes much more to "take it off" unlike a ring if something doesn't go right.

Many employers will not allow employees to have visible tattoos.

Look, you don't like diamond wedding bands apparently. Hopefully you're with someone who feels the same way. However, you're judging others who simply don't feel the same way that you do about something that may or may not be a morally right (or wrong) thing to buy. I mean, there may be times when buying a diamond is wrong or unwise, but it's certainly fine for some people to buy them at some times.