It’s like the emperor’s new clothes. Everyone else can see it’s made out of trash except for the uber wealthy person whose view of the world has been severely distorted by money.
I like to dress like I'm from the 1910s 1920s, If I dressed like that and no one else could see it, I'd be sad, but I'd still dress like that because I just enjoy dressing like that.
Celebrities and brand name, it just needs to appear luxurious. And that alone is enough to fool people into spending millions. Because it's an experience, and people apparently love to be treated like shit by a company.
Many people are shocked to find that most people have money could less about luxury stuff. Many multi millionaires buy their cloths from Costco or Clarence racks.
This is by far my favorite kind of content!!!I think we should always prioritize our financial goals instead of splurging on a façade of luxury. Real luxury is being financially stable.
When you don’t feel like you’re valuable you seek things to make you appear valuable, but when feel like you have wealth in your life from friends/family/connection then material things don’t matter. I’ve definitely approached luxury goods that way but never defined it as easily, thanks for the great discussion! I enjoy your videos and how they bring in history when explaining a subject, keep up the good work 👍
Most of my adult life I tended to gravitate more towards “what” and “how” on questioning. I didn’t completely disregard the “why”. I actually find when I use the “who?, what? When?, where?, and why? ” with my work role, it helps me uncover all I might be missing, and leads to the best results. But the “why” thinkers often are the ones that’s have a significant impact on changing the world. These individuals question the status quo, challenge existing norms, and seek to understand the deeper purpose or cause behind things. By asking “why,” they open the door to innovation, meaningful change, and progress. There is honesty less resistance to focus on “how” to execute or “what” to achieve. Yet it’s the “why” thinkers who spark the initial inspiration. Keep at it. Great video.
In Toronto, bag makers are making customized Hermes Kelly bags for $500 with the colour of your choice. And some jewelry maker overseas can make you a copy of designer jewelry for less or you 5k most.
I'm not saying you're wrong, but I AM saying that you missed an opportunity to draw a proper distinction between buying overpriced crap that serves no purpose beyond conspicuous consumption, and buying "luxury" items as a strategic spend. I'll give 3 examples from my own life, and I'll clarify that I am talking specifically about depreciating asset, which is practically everything we buy: 1. If you work in a job where dressing up is sometimes required, you need a few good suits. You could buy "off-the-rack" and get a nice suit for $500 at Men's Wearhouse, assuming you have a body that OTR actually fits well, otherwise you could end up looking dumpy no matter how much you spend. Alternatively, you could commission a set of Bespoke suits made for $5,000 each. (In some cases, considerably more.) The option I chose was "Made-to-Measure" suits, which could be described as "All the custom fitting of Bespoke, without the expensive floor show". I paid about $1,500-1,600 each for the last two suits and sport coat I had made, and about $280-300 per custom shirt. Ties and Braces tend run between $50 & $200. 2. A nice suit calls for a couple of accessories, so that you are properly "in uniform". A pocket square for instance. And a watch. Now, I can think of some nice ones, like a Breitling Superocean, or a Rolex Oyster Perpetual; but watches like that run $5,000 - $10,000, and you can spend MUCH more. What did I do? I bought a very nice Tissot for about $350. I also have a nice Seiko that I bought for about half of that. 3. Last December I bought a 2023 Lexus GX460. For those who don't know, that's a Toyota Prado, which is mechanically related to the 4Runner. 2023 was the last year for that model, and in December they were blowing them out for $15k off of sticker, with 2.49% Toyota financing, which was SIX POINTS below the Prime Rate. With nothing more than ordinary maintenance, I can expect to get 15 years and a quarter million miles out of it; probably considerably more. My prior vehicle was a 2008 Honda Pilot, that I drove until 2023, and it had a bit under 270,000 miles on it when I bought the Lexus. Which, by the way, has a naturally aspirated V8, a beefy 6-speed transmission, and one of the best 4wd systems ever made. My overall point is simple... "Luxury" is an illusion, and it can be complete crap. However, there is a subset of "Luxury" that is better described as "Quality", and as odd as it may sound, I have often found that QUALITY is the least expensive option in the long run.
We are not living in the "times of quality" anymore. Instead, we have an entire science area for minimal-lasting materials and time-determined structures technologies. Both in chemical and physical aspects in the given periods. Today luxury prices are on higher models of Toyota. But that's expected. Decency was never cheap nor trivial.
People buy luxurious brands to appear to be of higher social status, to escape the shame feeling of being unable to keep up with more material wealth. There is also: perception of higher prices being better. And the dopamine rush of being special.
Income and status ARE linked, but income is the main one. You can't raise your income by raising, artificially and only in the eyes of other poor people, your status. But you can damn well raise your status permanently with a raise in income. That is what one should focus on.
As someone who works tangentially to folks studying marketing and consumer behavior, I never really understood the point of that research. But this video really gave me something to consider. I hope consumers learn to prioritize and organize their purchasing flower in a way that doesn't line these luxury brands. Hopefully one day
Damon, thank you for sharing your perspective about the status quo and how the outside perspective can shift your own view of your world. I think this is an important idea about western culture that deserves a greater spotlight. I appreciate you providing this dialogue and keep up the great content!
My most reliable watch are not those relatively pricier automatics, but a Casio that cost me $30 in 2017. Plus it has many easy-to-use functions too and I just put it on and not worry that I'll bang it on the table or get it wet. Humans are weird.
Just found your channel and have been binge watching your videos. Im in Australia but as a minimalist and fast becoming more and more anti consumerism I've found so much I relate to in your videos. I absolutely love the way you think!!
Man, you do an amazing job here. Fcuk luxury goods. We can talk about them whenever else. I feel you have a future either with the channel or other endeavours you will pursue. It really doesn't look bad at all.
It comes down to G R E E D. I have never thought differently about myself because my clothes don’t cost gobs of money. I drive a 2011 Honda Civic. Gets me from point A to point B. I’m 64, work out at least 3 to 4 times a week, try to eat healthy. We’re all gonna end up in the same place. Not here. Steve Jobs, expensive turtlenecks, was able to have the best healthcare money could buy, died in 2011 from cancer. I’ll assume he had a luxurious funeral.
I agree. I think summarizing your own learing from the content you are producing, and weaving it into a philosophy of living and perceiving the society we live in would be beneficial, and allow people to know you better.
For $1500, you could buy everything you need to make a quality leather bag that’ll last a lifetime, including a lesson from a professional maker. Instead, people buy literal garbage because it has a gay guy’s name on it.
Please remind me to when I leave back in Colombia before I move to the US. They start to open a lot of McDonald's Aunt Taco Bell making making real food be seen as food for poors people. Even bring you food in a container to work was not seen a something good.
I never got this behavior. But I am also autistic and in general I don’t get how other people work and people don’t understand me. I feel my wealth is in what I can do for others or offer. This is not provided through material things for me.
Nobody makes me spend money. I buy all of my needs a few of my wants. I just happen to be someone that doesnt need other peoles acceptance, validation, or approval.
Great video. You are definitely trying to ‘red pill’ the consumer with your videos and doing a great job of it. I wish you much success, although it is ironic that you are on you tube, on a platform that monetizes through views and ads, yet you are offering people a ‘wake up call’ to the manipulaton of such parts of society. A bit of a conundrum for you, but I trust you will find your way, and that there is an audience out there that will continue to find value in what you offer.
Most so called "luxury" is not actual luxury, but highly overpriced mediocrity sporting the all important logo, propped but by huge marketing budgets to convince folks that something which is ordinary is somehow "magical".
Something that everyone seems to overlook is that planned obsolescence shows true consumer preferences. Back in the 70s the average consumer would buy about 10 clothing items a year, compared to 60 now. Those were higher quality items that lasted. Now we have items that are tossed after a few months/years. The reason for this is because of consumer preference and abundance. Because these items are so cheap, companies will produce them without having to worry about the quality complaints. Consumers are happy to have cheap clothing that they can replace each year with the newest styles. If you adjust the costs of longer lasting goods of the past, they would be considered “high-end” or luxury today with similar price points. Here’s an example: would you rather spend $5,000 on a phone that will last you 20 years or $1,000 on one that will last 4-5 years? Obviously you would pick the cheaper option because most people want the latest product. People complain that goods used to last much longer in the past (clothing, appliances, cars, etc.), which is true, however, if one looks at the percent of income spent on those goods, it was much higher. You can still buy a subzero refrigerator that will last 20 years for $10k or you can get a $2,000 Samsung that may last 5-10. Most choose the latter.
You need to work on the conclusion segments. You set up for a great dialogue, but you don't seem to go in a specific direction afterward, and there's no specific call to action either.
We are very well off financially and can afford a $4,000 Prada (or whatever) bag. My wife chooses to buy a $50 bag from Target and invest the $3,950 savings. I knew she was smart from the first day I met her.
Based on the appearance of a potato and how very few knew how to properly cook them and instead thought they were just a disgusting and bland vegetable
Belgian is similar to French, and in French potato is literally "dirt apple" which some stretching preachers could translate to "worldly," but there's more spin towards that interpretation than necessary.
Thank you for the informative and thought-provoking video, it's very interesting. I think Bible-believing Christians know that this material world is not all there is, there is something better to look forward to. Spiritual things are more important than material things; the things that have eternal value are more important than the things that have temporary value. "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NASB, 1995 edition)
People really do try as much as they can to collect as many forms of special status as they can, even if the status actually sucks. I notice this with gaming, where people believe they've "earned" a license to use software while pirates have "stolen" software that was packed with worthless features, at best just barely functional for the hardware it was made for, and priced in such a way as to push all costs surrounding the product onto the end purchaser.
Flexing a bag made out of garbage that cost six figures shows how truly dystopian our society has become
That bag seems more like an art piece than fashion. And I hate modern art
A fool and her money are soon parted 🤪.
Material excess has always been a thing
It’s like the emperor’s new clothes. Everyone else can see it’s made out of trash except for the uber wealthy person whose view of the world has been severely distorted by money.
I seriously never understood how people buy "luxury" goods that are poorly made when they could just be purchasing actually quality products.
I like to dress like I'm from the 1910s 1920s, If I dressed like that and no one else could see it, I'd be sad, but I'd still dress like that because I just enjoy dressing like that.
Because you can't tell other people you're stupid if you don't pay for expensive garbage.
Celebrities and brand name, it just needs to appear luxurious. And that alone is enough to fool people into spending millions. Because it's an experience, and people apparently love to be treated like shit by a company.
Yeah, I like how lots of these 'European', 'luxury' brands are now made in China, just like everything else.
Many people are shocked to find that most people have money could less about luxury stuff. Many multi millionaires buy their cloths from Costco or Clarence racks.
Repeat after me…”I already have everything that I need.”
I already have ever... oh, look, Channel is on sale 😊
But but I WANT MORE STOCKS.
NO
Yeah, but, I literally don't. So no
As a poor person I get stealing potatoes but not buying pineapples to look at.
This is by far my favorite kind of content!!!I think we should always prioritize our financial goals instead of splurging on a façade of luxury. Real luxury is being financially stable.
When you don’t feel like you’re valuable you seek things to make you appear valuable, but when feel like you have wealth in your life from friends/family/connection then material things don’t matter.
I’ve definitely approached luxury goods that way but never defined it as easily, thanks for the great discussion!
I enjoy your videos and how they bring in history when explaining a subject, keep up the good work 👍
So glad you enjoy it! Thank you very much for reaching out
Invest your money and don’t waste it on “luxury goods”
Most of my adult life I tended to gravitate more towards “what” and “how” on questioning. I didn’t completely disregard the “why”. I actually find when I use the “who?, what? When?, where?, and why? ” with my work role, it helps me uncover all I might be missing, and leads to the best results. But the “why” thinkers often are the ones that’s have a significant impact on changing the world. These individuals question the status quo, challenge existing norms, and seek to understand the deeper purpose or cause behind things. By asking “why,” they open the door to innovation, meaningful change, and progress. There is honesty less resistance to focus on “how” to execute or “what” to achieve. Yet it’s the “why” thinkers who spark the initial inspiration. Keep at it. Great video.
tl dr: you buy expensive item , you get poorer after spending the money.
Em... No.
Quality is correlated with price. Price is not correlated with quality. Always double check what you're paying for.
"I think I got off on a super long tangent" ... tangents are great!😅
Haha thank you! So glad you enjoyed it
Came here to say this! Never apologize for going off on a tangent as those are where great ideas are born.
In Toronto, bag makers are making customized Hermes Kelly bags for $500 with the colour of your choice. And some jewelry maker overseas can make you a copy of designer jewelry for less or you 5k most.
Unreal how many people will walk right past an artisan selling their craft in a local setting to go spend 20x that on a brand named bag
I'm not saying you're wrong, but I AM saying that you missed an opportunity to draw a proper distinction between buying overpriced crap that serves no purpose beyond conspicuous consumption, and buying "luxury" items as a strategic spend.
I'll give 3 examples from my own life, and I'll clarify that I am talking specifically about depreciating asset, which is practically everything we buy:
1. If you work in a job where dressing up is sometimes required, you need a few good suits. You could buy "off-the-rack" and get a nice suit for $500 at Men's Wearhouse, assuming you have a body that OTR actually fits well, otherwise you could end up looking dumpy no matter how much you spend. Alternatively, you could commission a set of Bespoke suits made for $5,000 each. (In some cases, considerably more.) The option I chose was "Made-to-Measure" suits, which could be described as "All the custom fitting of Bespoke, without the expensive floor show". I paid about $1,500-1,600 each for the last two suits and sport coat I had made, and about $280-300 per custom shirt. Ties and Braces tend run between $50 & $200.
2. A nice suit calls for a couple of accessories, so that you are properly "in uniform". A pocket square for instance. And a watch. Now, I can think of some nice ones, like a Breitling Superocean, or a Rolex Oyster Perpetual; but watches like that run $5,000 - $10,000, and you can spend MUCH more. What did I do? I bought a very nice Tissot for about $350. I also have a nice Seiko that I bought for about half of that.
3. Last December I bought a 2023 Lexus GX460. For those who don't know, that's a Toyota Prado, which is mechanically related to the 4Runner. 2023 was the last year for that model, and in December they were blowing them out for $15k off of sticker, with 2.49% Toyota financing, which was SIX POINTS below the Prime Rate. With nothing more than ordinary maintenance, I can expect to get 15 years and a quarter million miles out of it; probably considerably more. My prior vehicle was a 2008 Honda Pilot, that I drove until 2023, and it had a bit under 270,000 miles on it when I bought the Lexus. Which, by the way, has a naturally aspirated V8, a beefy 6-speed transmission, and one of the best 4wd systems ever made.
My overall point is simple...
"Luxury" is an illusion, and it can be complete crap.
However, there is a subset of "Luxury" that is better described as "Quality", and as odd as it may sound, I have often found that QUALITY is the least expensive option in the long run.
He literally talks about this
Yes, I know.
We are not living in the "times of quality" anymore. Instead, we have an entire science area for minimal-lasting materials and time-determined structures technologies. Both in chemical and physical aspects in the given periods.
Today luxury prices are on higher models of Toyota. But that's expected. Decency was never cheap nor trivial.
We are not talking about exceptions we are talking about general trends and cultural attitudes
@@janelleg597 -
I'm not talking about exceptions either, those are examples to illustrate an idea.
I'm 63 . Loved your video. Stupid has no barrier
So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for reaching out!
People buy luxurious brands to appear to be of higher social status, to escape the shame feeling of being unable to keep up with more material wealth. There is also: perception of higher prices being better. And the dopamine rush of being special.
Income and status ARE linked, but income is the main one. You can't raise your income by raising, artificially and only in the eyes of other poor people, your status. But you can damn well raise your status permanently with a raise in income. That is what one should focus on.
This topic is so important and it is so great that youtuber like you and Cara Nicole make videos about it
As someone who works tangentially to folks studying marketing and consumer behavior, I never really understood the point of that research. But this video really gave me something to consider. I hope consumers learn to prioritize and organize their purchasing flower in a way that doesn't line these luxury brands. Hopefully one day
That section on Burberry destroying 36m worth of unsold goods to maintain their prestige is sobering.
The older I get the more that I desire financial stability. I desire a Mazda over a Mercedes, quality over brand, etc... It's quite freeing actually.
Damon, thank you for sharing your perspective about the status quo and how the outside perspective can shift your own view of your world. I think this is an important idea about western culture that deserves a greater spotlight. I appreciate you providing this dialogue and keep up the great content!
There’s only one metric that matters. Time. How many hours per week will this purchase save or cost you?
This is why I am becoming a minimalist and buy good quality items that I actual need that serves a need then a status symbol.
I’m very interested in the topics you chose to talk about. Keep going, please. We’ll find meaning eventually in a hyper consumerist society.
My most reliable watch are not those relatively pricier automatics, but a Casio that cost me $30 in 2017. Plus it has many easy-to-use functions too and I just put it on and not worry that I'll bang it on the table or get it wet.
Humans are weird.
Y'all are good enough just being you. That's luxury enough.
Absolutely right! Great comment
Capitalist are becoming more greedy, profit oriented & powerful while masses are becoming more reckless, hedonist, submissive and ignorant.
Capitalism equals to greedy corps, socialism equals to greedy government. The problem has always been humans to begin with.
@@kato2395 all problems started from the day the life came into existence on this planet before that their were no problems.
Just found your channel and have been binge watching your videos. Im in Australia but as a minimalist and fast becoming more and more anti consumerism I've found so much I relate to in your videos. I absolutely love the way you think!!
You’re very kind! So glad to be able to provide value to you! I really appreciate you reaching out
Man, you do an amazing job here. Fcuk luxury goods. We can talk about them whenever else. I feel you have a future either with the channel or other endeavours you will pursue. It really doesn't look bad at all.
Masterful video, deserves more likes
So glad you enjoyed it!
It comes down to G R E E D. I have never thought differently about myself because my clothes don’t cost gobs of money. I drive a 2011 Honda Civic. Gets me from point A to point B. I’m 64, work out at least 3 to 4 times a week, try to eat healthy. We’re all gonna end up in the same place. Not here. Steve Jobs, expensive turtlenecks, was able to have the best healthcare money could buy, died in 2011 from cancer. I’ll assume he had a luxurious funeral.
Your videos are really high quality. Great job!
So glad you enjoy them! Thank you for the kind words!
Coming from high end retail, they basically “rent” what they wear. As in wearing it then returning it before it hits the“charge card”
‘To this day people leave potatoes on his grave’. Including in some very naughty shapes apparently :)
That's why I buy from target and Walmart
Ooops accidentally committed vanity. ✨ 🍴
Great Video! That’s high quality content! Well done!
Another fantastic video. How indeed did they turn exclusivity into widespread appeal. And once again, your haircut looks absolutely amazing
fashion is, in itself, and testament to the INequality that mankind has allowed to fester.
There is no sources in the description
I enjoy your videos. I also enjoy your content when you’re speaking off script though. You should do more of it. 😊
I agree. I think summarizing your own learing from the content you are producing, and weaving it into a philosophy of living and perceiving the society we live in would be beneficial, and allow people to know you better.
This channel is very underestimated
Loved the monologue at the end
Hmmm.... Very Derelicte indeed.
Great reference
4:34 - 5:10 same thing is done with artwork for posthumous artists
10:55 instant gratification
Blades of glory 😍👍
Good video but the long rant at the end took the edge off the impact of the first 13 minutes for me.
I remember when luxury products were cool. Glade thats a memory because i love my shitbox and walmart clothes
For $1500, you could buy everything you need to make a quality leather bag that’ll last a lifetime, including a lesson from a professional maker. Instead, people buy literal garbage because it has a gay guy’s name on it.
8:37 that’s a spicy view if I’ve seen one before👀
I love that super long tangent
interesting questions
Guilty of this, slap a cute anime girl on the item and I'm tempted to buy it.......
Please remind me to when I leave back in Colombia before I move to the US. They start to open a lot of McDonald's Aunt Taco Bell making making real food be seen as food for poors people. Even bring you food in a container to work was not seen a something good.
I never got this behavior. But I am also autistic and in general I don’t get how other people work and people don’t understand me. I feel my wealth is in what I can do for others or offer. This is not provided through material things for me.
Nobody makes me spend money. I buy all of my needs a few of my wants. I just happen to be someone that doesnt need other peoles acceptance, validation, or approval.
0:55 watch me with my time machine and box of plastic pineapples
Because they're expensive
Quality of product or quality of profit?
Its a life etyle ,
You're not wrong at all, there's definitely more to discover, but you're arguments are sound.
These 'luxury' brands are basically robbers. Well to be more specific, a con artist.
Luxury within a prison is still a prison, take the red pill.
Great video. You are definitely trying to ‘red pill’ the consumer with your videos and doing a great job of it. I wish you much success, although it is ironic that you are on you tube, on a platform that monetizes through views and ads, yet you are offering people a ‘wake up call’ to the manipulaton of such parts of society. A bit of a conundrum for you, but I trust you will find your way, and that there is an audience out there that will continue to find value in what you offer.
What myopic waste of a condescending, maundering post.
Most so called "luxury" is not actual luxury, but highly overpriced mediocrity sporting the all important logo, propped but by huge marketing budgets to convince folks that something which is ordinary is somehow "magical".
I want to buy a $2,000 office chair for gaming and nobody can fucking stop me /s
Something that everyone seems to overlook is that planned obsolescence shows true consumer preferences. Back in the 70s the average consumer would buy about 10 clothing items a year, compared to 60 now. Those were higher quality items that lasted. Now we have items that are tossed after a few months/years. The reason for this is because of consumer preference and abundance. Because these items are so cheap, companies will produce them without having to worry about the quality complaints. Consumers are happy to have cheap clothing that they can replace each year with the newest styles.
If you adjust the costs of longer lasting goods of the past, they would be considered “high-end” or luxury today with similar price points.
Here’s an example: would you rather spend $5,000 on a phone that will last you 20 years or $1,000 on one that will last 4-5 years? Obviously you would pick the cheaper option because most people want the latest product.
People complain that goods used to last much longer in the past (clothing, appliances, cars, etc.), which is true, however, if one looks at the percent of income spent on those goods, it was much higher. You can still buy a subzero refrigerator that will last 20 years for $10k or you can get a $2,000 Samsung that may last 5-10. Most choose the latter.
My satelite phone from 20 years ago isn't supported anymore... 😢
Problem with technology is that it gets outpaced in a few years and companies, towers, other apps won’t support it.
@@quadsnipershot oh exactly, I'm right here. Military tech has a lot to do with it. Civ tech catches up in about a year or two.
@@quadsnipershot exactly my point. Not all items are supposed to last years and years like they used to. Tech is growing too fast
You need to work on the conclusion segments. You set up for a great dialogue, but you don't seem to go in a specific direction afterward, and there's no specific call to action either.
I HECKING LOVE CAPITALISM
We are very well off financially and can afford a $4,000 Prada (or whatever) bag. My wife chooses to buy a $50 bag from Target and invest the $3,950 savings. I knew she was smart from the first day I met her.
How did potatoes get the bad reputation of being the devil's fruit?
Based on the appearance of a potato and how very few knew how to properly cook them and instead thought they were just a disgusting and bland vegetable
Belgian is similar to French, and in French potato is literally "dirt apple" which some stretching preachers could translate to "worldly," but there's more spin towards that interpretation than necessary.
Thank you for the informative and thought-provoking video, it's very interesting.
I think Bible-believing Christians know that this material world is not all there is, there is something better to look forward to. Spiritual things are more important than material things; the things that have eternal value are more important than the things that have temporary value.
"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
(2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NASB, 1995 edition)
People really do try as much as they can to collect as many forms of special status as they can, even if the status actually sucks.
I notice this with gaming, where people believe they've "earned" a license to use software while pirates have "stolen" software that was packed with worthless features, at best just barely functional for the hardware it was made for, and priced in such a way as to push all costs surrounding the product onto the end purchaser.
Look at Trump. Narcissism works. Are we having fun yet? Don't settle. Break the cycle. Rebel.
This overconsumerist life style is all a lie-style
Foolishness
First
Next to the Trump national sales tax, soon not even poor people will be able to afford luxury brands. 😁
nope im just poor. dont spend money on luxury goods still poor tho.
Same here
boring
low iq comment