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0 pointsadrianN5y ago0 comments

Arguably cars are tools too, yet people care a great deal about how they look. Same with wristwatches, or glasses, or a host of other things we use every day.

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ntsplnkv25y ago· 2 in thread

I don't think this is a valid argument. People do not "upgrade their cars" by buying a different looking one every year - rather, when they buy a new car, looks matter then.

> Same with wristwatches, or glasses, or a host of other things we use every day.

It's hard to consider watches a tool these days and both of these examples are fashion related. Most people do not wear glasses by choice.

lmilcin5y ago

But they do upgrade cars because they look old or because they can afford better car, even if the old one is still in good working condition.

Soon all phones will offer basically same functionality with only minor differences. After some point there will be no more gains from more camera or screen pixels, more cores, more gigabytes of storage. The only reason to buy a new phone will be if the old one broke or if you feel to switch to a new phone to follow trends.

ntsplnkv25y ago

The average length of time people own cars is 6 years. Sure, rich people lease every 3, but most people aren't rich. It's still an unfair comparison imo.

> Soon all phones will offer basically same functionality with only minor differences. After some point there will be no more gains from more camera or screen pixels, more cores, more gigabytes of storage. The only reason to buy a new phone will be if the old one broke or if you feel to switch to a new phone to follow trends.

We have essentially been at this point for a few years now. Most people I know who don't have to have the latest and greatest don't want to upgrade - but are forced to because of performance degradation, un-repairability, and bad faith phone contracts.

drewcoo5y ago

The parent claims phones are fashion accessories even though they are also useful. I'm sure that means cars are fashion in that view, too. And everything else you mention. They're public displays.

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