[TML] Personal Armor Noise was Re: Current USAF fleet

[Jerry W Barrington]

On 5/5/08 1:25 AM, "Tom B" <kaladorn at gmail.com> wrote:

> Most pragmatic people (more often guys) see it as a waste of money
> because it doesn't have resale value and is only a piece of rock and
> that much money could buy lots of other fun stuff. But it isn't about
> pragmatism. It is inherently a waste of money. And yes, you could buy
> a big screen TV, a living room set, and maybe a new kitchen for that
> price. But that's soooo not the point. Like tilting at lists to win a
> lady's favour, it is a gesture of sacrifice. It is a sign that you
> place a very high value on the person in question.

Yeah, but you see my point is that it isn't just the *guy* who is
sacrificing.  Many of the other things you would by are useful, even
important, thing for her and the kids.  It's the whole *family* sacrificing,
just so she can show off a hunk of rock to her girlfriends who probably
think he's a jerk anyway.

> Ultimately, that's what you are paying for. And our social conventions
> dictate that you can't just give them a $20,000 cheque. So, you go out
> and buy the most God-awful expensive pencil lead you'll ever buy. And
> hope things work out.

That's the worst part.  Odds are all too good that it's a *total* waste, as
most relationships *don't* work out.

Ob Trav:  Once diamonds and other such rare items can be easily synthesized
to the point that nobody can tell the difference, what will women demand
then?  Or will marriage be a thing of the past anyway?  (Is it now?)