Hacker News Reader

Comment by rich_sasha | Hacker News Reader

If it's all going to shit anyway, how are "real" things better than glitzy consumerism? Those kisses from children will be gone just the same as the expensive watches. Actually, vintage watches have a thriving second hand market.

I mean, I don't disagree with the conclusion, but the argument ain't great.

View on HN

That’s… an odd argument to make. Do you really think that the vast majority of people derive more happiness from having things than experiences/memories with loved ones?

I think a popular sentiment near the end of life for most is that they wish they’d adventured more and spent additional time with family & friends, not acquiring material goods or more wealth.

> Do you really think that the vast majority of people derive more happiness from having things than experiences/memories with loved ones?

No, but that's not the argument OP makes. They say, we will all be dead and our possession gone so they have no value. Meanwhile, time with loved ones... Well it will be gone too! But somehow that's fine.

That one is better than another is not an argument OP makes.

Probably depends on your perspective on life, if having and looking at expensive watches gives you more satisfaction than being hugged and spending time with your friends, your counterargument probably makes sense.

I don't think it makes sense to think entirely black/white here, everyone has different things they enjoy in life.

That's true and it is the central idea in buddhism - anything that will be gone is shit, even children and kisses.

Is your counterargument seriously "vintage watches are worth more monetary value than affection from loved ones"?

No, it's that one's stewardship of the unbroken chain of vintage watches will be appreciated. Many hands maintained these hands.

and minute hand market

Reply on news.ycombinator.com