Today's bitch of the day is the word "invest". Why does everyone use the word "invest" when talking about buying stuff for their car? Let's look at the word to try to better understand its useage.

Main Entry: invest
Function: verb
Etymology: Italian investire to clothe, invest money, from Latin, to clothe
Date: 1613
transitive senses
1 : to commit (money) in order to earn a financial return
2 : to make use of for future benefits or advantages
intransitive senses : to make an investment
- in·vest·able /-'ves-t&-b&l/ adjective
- in·ves·tor /-t&r/ noun

So how in the hell is buying speakers or some such item going to earn you a financial return or give you future benefits or advantages? What is the average anual yield on an amp? Why isn't there a car-audio speculator's mutual fund?

Ok enough. Sorry. Had to vent.

 

Well your argument is very valid. Although, I did find a flaw or two in it. See, the problem is that we can invest time or money into anything, even if it doesn't yield a financial return. (i.e. school: "invested much time and energy in getting a good education.) What about that? An education is something that yields no financial gains, but it does give you benefits. This can be applied to a car stereo, and especially an alarm, seeing that an alarm protects your valuables.

 

I can definitely see the argument for an alarm and for education, since both those things aid in asset procurement and retention. But seriously, investing in speakers? Maybe if you're talking about buying some stock.

I dunno maybe I am just a overly **** bastard.


[Modified by 1BlackHatch, 7:21 PM 4/2/2003]

 

I think this is it...you're just looking into the word too much. Just think of it as an investment of time and money into something that gives them happiness.

 

This is a valid point. But many things in everday life are not worded correctly and then defended adamantly when questioned.

A lot of old cliches are being changed as well for instance "it's like shooting fish in a barrel" is changed into "like shooting fish in a bucket" and the list goes on. Sometimes these things are mutated to the point that they lose their true meaning.

Car stereo gear tends to lose value quite rapidly, but then again so can a stock "investment" I don't know for sure if a stock that loses a lot of value is still considered an investment.

I for one enjoy seeing posts like this one. Kinda makes you think a bit instead of just being a braindead zombie and having all your decisions made for you.

 

But this is where you're makeing a mistake. The investment does not have to be financial gain. In the case of the speakers you are gaining a higher level of quality. Therefore you are investing your money in a new set of speakers knowing that you will be gaining audio clarity from your investment.

 

i actually do invest in speakers because... i get my stuff very very cheap. so cheap that when i sell my stuff at used prices, i still get more than wut i pay. so would u call that invest? for example, i paid 100 for something, the retail price of the item is 300. used prices is about half of the retail price. which would be 150. if i sell for 150, i just got $50 more than wut i payed for

 

Ok now that I would call investing, if you plan on selling for a profit. That's more of a business venture.

I don't see that how buying better quality equipment is investing though. Unless however it gives you an advantage that helps you make more profit. For instance, buying good quality stereo equipment is a must if you own a shop or are a rep. People will hear your stuff and your sales will increase.

 

btw> " (i.e. school: "invested much time and energy in getting a good education.) "

A good education *DOES* pay off in the end for those who apply it both socially and financially.

For example.. my G/F's in a program at Pitt for Pharmacy... she'll be making over $95,000. Now w/o the education, she wouldn't be able to be a pharmacist making that much

Of course then there are people like me who keep quitting, going back, quitting, etc lol


[Modified by rjr162, 3:04 PM 4/3/2003]