[Big Mac]

Often when I purchase a sought after, brand new piece of technology I feel guilty about taking it out of its box, as if I'm undeserving of owning it. It happens more often to me with big ticket items, like when I got my G5. Anyone else ever feel that way?

[Chuckit]

Nah. I just usually talk myself out of buying. If I decide to take the plunge, I've already chided myself enough in my head that I don't feel guilty anymore.

[Cipher13]

Nope. Hedonism is good.

[BlueSky]

No.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by Big Mac 

Often when I purchase a sought after, brand new piece of technology I feel guilty about taking it out of its box, as if I'm undeserving of owning it. It happens more often to me with big ticket items, like when I got my G5. Anyone else ever feel that way?

No. Sounds like you feel more guilty about the price-tag than the actual item.

[Big Mac]

No, that's not it, Dakar. I am just awe struck by the greatness of my G5, for example, and I just get the feeling in the back of my mind that I'm somehow undeserving. . . .

[Dakar the Fourth]

I might add I don't consider a computer that much of an indulgence. A second one or a laptop, maybe.

Edit:

Originally Posted by Big Mac 

No, that's not it, Dakar. I am just awe struck by the greatness of my G5, for example, and I just get the feeling in the back of my mind that I'm somehow undeserving. . . .

I dunno then. Feel like you've got it too good compared to your parents time?

[Big Mac]

Maybe it's a Mac thing with me. I don't think it happened when I unboxed my Inspiron.

[smacintush]

Yes.

I look at the money I spent, and what better I could have done with that money, and the electricity that it uses.

It bothers me that I can be so "materialistic" and insist on buying all this junk that I really don't need. I just haven't gotten to the point where I am willing to do something about it yet.

[starman]

You need to watch less unboxing pr0n.

[Dakar the Fourth]

I will say this, since upgrading to a 50" plasma from a 19" TV I had for almost 20 years, I'm still in a kind of shock. I wouldn't say I feel guilty, but I think the massive upgrade has left me wondering if I didn't go overboard.
I didn't.

[turtle777]

I just treated myself to a brand-new iMac 24".

But I don't feel bad, because this is only my third Apple computer in 7 years (or fifth in 12 years)

2001: iBook Dual USB 500GHz G3
2005: Mac mini 1.42 GHz G4
2008: iMac 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo

-t

[Big Mac]

I do know that part of it is my concern for our planet's natural resources, but it's not just that.

[Calimus]

I think I've gotten to the point where I can overcome most of my gadget lust. I used to be the type that would buy a new computer every year, new cell phone, pda every couple of years, been through 3-4 ipod models. But in the last 2 years I've really noticed the piles of old printers/computers/crt monitors/pdas/10-15 cell phones I've got lying around and realizing just how much waste it is. a hundred years ago you bought things that 1-2 craftsman would make out of a small amount of materials and use it for a lifetime. Now you buy a computer that probably produced as much waste in it's production as the product itself, if not a lot more, will use a vast amount of energy even in a few years of use, then you just throw it away since you couldn't even give it away as it's completely obsolete(and yet it still does everything it was built to do perfectly fine).

The last computer I bought was my dual 1.8 powermac, and I figure I'll hold off another 3 years if I can, and I've now had the same cell phone for 3 years and it's still going strong.

[RAILhead]

Well, I'm about to lay it all out for the 3.2GHz 8-core with 12-16GB RAM, and I'm also going to slap 2 1TB hard drives in it outside the 400GB startup I'll move from my G5.

While I don't feel guilty at all, I must admit that it will be odd to spend so much money on a computer -- but that's what I've been saving and eBaying stuff for, so it'll be paid for. Odd nonetheless, though. I did some benchmark math, and the new system will be 667% more powerful than my G5, so if I only get 1/3 of that realized in my workflow, it'll still be a 222% boost.

[Dakar the Fourth]

You do love crunching your numbers.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Heeeeell no! My VISA bill makes me know I earned it.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

Heeeeell no! My VISA bill makes me know I earned it.

Uhm, yeah, compelling logic

I don't feel bad because I went in debt for it !?!?!?!

-t

[RAILhead]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

You do love crunching your numbers.

I know -- and I'm not even a dork!

[adamfishercox]

I feel a little guilty about getting a MacBook in addition to my iMac, I feel like the iMac will be underused. My solution? MacBook Pro and a display in a few months.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Uhm, yeah, compelling logic

I don't feel bad because I went in debt for it !?!?!?!

-t

Um more like. I don't feel "guilty" about opening something I just purchased because I don't think I am worthy. I mean what the hell?

[Uncle Skeleton]

Don't let the haters get to you, Big Mac, I know what you mean. I remember opening this powerbook I'm on now when it was new (2001), and feeling like some sort of interloper into the "pro" world, because I got it just "because I wanted it," not because I actually needed it for some sort of practical use (like oh I don't know, work). Kind of like "look at all the amazing ports and features of it... but I won't be using most of them." And there's also this feeling that the machine is the pinnacle of something, like years later you would look back on it as the achievement of technology that "changed everything," because it's so much better than the computers of 2 years before, you get this feeling that it's also better than the machines of 2 years in the future. Ironically this powerbook (pismo) was better than those which came after it just not in processing power.

After that purchase though I didn't feel that way again. My impression of posterity's view of unpacking day changed from "what an awe-inspiring product" to "this will be considered a piece of **** in 6 months." Not because of my experience with the pismo though, like I said I'm still using it right now.

[Dakar the Fourth]

I think Uncle Skeleton just made me feel guilty for not feelin' guilty on the subject. My head would explode if it weren't designed with paradox absorbing crumple zones.

[Oneota]

Originally Posted by RAILhead 

I know -- and I'm not even a dork!

I wouldn't go that far.

[RAILhead]

Originally Posted by Oneota 

I wouldn't go that far.

How can anyone think this is a dork?

[Uncle Skeleton]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

My head would explode if it weren't designed with paradox absorbing crumple zones.

Naughty

[Big Mac]

More like a mad scientist.

[Jawbone54]

I'm totally with you, Big Mac. I felt horrible after getting the following...

My 15" PowerBook
My 20 GB iPod
My 30 GB iPod
My Canon XTi (and the two lenses I bought later)
Almost every DVD collection I've bought (every season of Seinfeld, 24, Alias, etc.)
My 32" HDTV (and it was about 50% off at the time)

I don't feel "undeserving," necessarily. I feel like I'm being a bit selfish. I could be spending that money on something that benefits a lot of people, but I'm buying something that only I and/or my wife are going to enjoy.

[Big Mac]

Ah, I'm glad I'm not alone, but your symptoms are more severe than mine.

[imitchellg5]

I felt really bad after I got my iPod touch. IDK, but at the time that kind of money for an iPod (for me) seemed really extravagant.

[Big Mac]

Don't feel bad, mitchell. Everyone needs an iPod touch. I'm on my sixth iPod as of now.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by Big Mac 

Don't feel bad, mitchell. Everyone needs an iPod touch. I'm on my sixth iPod as of now.

I disagree strongly. I'd rather have an iPhone.

[turtle777]

I'm still on my first iPod, a 3G 30 gig.

See no need to upgrade.

-t

[The Godfather]

My Macbook is close to reaching its 2-year birthday and it still kicks all kinds of butts. It will still be adequate for another 2 years, and when the time comes, I will deserve a Macbook replacement, down to the last penny (taxes and AppleCare included). No regrets.

I guess it is a symptom of the reached maturity of OSX, versus the growing bloat pains of Microsoft OSes.

I also get non-consumerism credit by telling Brighhouse, Dish and FiOS to take a hike since 2004. Every time they send me a flier, it goes right in the recycle bin. I don't want to pay $50 a month for the BET, HSN, and other channels I don't need.

[Shaddim]

I did feel a bit of guilt after buying all my Wilsons, but that was over the sheer amount of $$$.

[- - e r i k - -]

Is this this "jewish guilt" that I've heard so much about?

[Big Mac]

I suppose, erik. It may just be.

[The Godfather]

You deserve anything that you paid with your hard-earned money, minus taxes. And if you don't deserve it now, you'll deserve it when you pay off the bill+interest.

[Big Mac]

Thank you, guys.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

I'm still on my first iPod, a 3G 30 gig.

See no need to upgrade.

I'm on my second iPod — but only because my first one got stolen.

[Jawbone54]

Oh, I wholeheartedly agree. I believe other people deserve such things. Big Mac, please enjoy your purchases. There are only 3 reasons that you shouldn't enjoy your shiny new toys...

1. If you work for the IRS
2. If you're a drug dealer
3. If you wear fanny packs

If none apply to you, stop feeling guilty.

[alligator]

What bothers me the most is that the device will eventually get dusty. I can't stand a new piece of electronics getting dusty. It somehow cheapens it.

[Big Mac]

Originally Posted by Jawbone54 

If none apply to you, stop feeling guilty.

Haha, thank you. These responses really have helped me.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Big Mac 

Often when I purchase a sought after, brand new piece of technology I feel guilty about taking it out of its box, as if I'm undeserving of owning it. It happens more often to me with big ticket items, like when I got my G5. Anyone else ever feel that way?

Nope. I only buy technology when I can make money from using it. Thus, it's always an investment.

[ShortcutToMoncton]

I always feel guilty when I ride on escalators or on moving sidewalks without moving by myself.

greg