[Boatanchors] Tri-Phazers

[David Stinson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ken Kaplan" <krkaplan at cox.net>
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Tri-Phazers


> As for the Tri-Phazers, the BS in the audiophile world never ceases 
> to
> amaze me. I have made the trip to the CES show in Vegas many times 
> and
> have witnessed in person some really idiotic audiophile stuff. ...

When I lived in Vegas, CES was always great entertainment.
I learned my first lessons in herd delusions at CES.
I watched a "demonstration" of so-called "oxygen-free" wire
which taught me about the human drive to be "one of the elite."

Even the setting for the demo reminded me of a "medicine-show wagon;"
Lots of bright displays and "technical information" on the side 
panels,
where the "oxygen free" wire was bordered by bright, primary colors
and the "ordinary" wire bordered by dark, moody pastels.
On a board in front of the huckster were the two items being demoed:
an open 1-foot pair of showy, gawdy "Oxygen free" wires, well lighted,
and a darker, dull-copper pair of "ordinary" wires, backed by the
dull pastels.  The barker played music and switched between
the two sets of wires, his voice dropping to a duller, sullen register
when the "ordinary" wires were in play, and brightening his speech
along with a happy facial countenance while yacking-up his wares.

You had to hand it to the guy... he was excellent and played those
rubes like a country fiddle.  There was, of course, not the slightest
difference between the two sounds.  But I listened to two 
presentations
that day and constantly saw people looking at each other and
saying words to the effect:  "Wow!  You can hear that, can't you?"
"Oh yes!  Listen to how much better the (insert inane fantasy term 
here)."
They were all reenforcing the herd delusion, so they can feel
"oh so special."  If anyone had spoken-up and called:
"B.S.!  Bring me a scope!"  The herd would instantly turn on him
and eject him.   The herd delusion must never be threatened,
even if the herd is heading full-speed over a cliff.
The lesson is clear:  Humanity values herd membership,
even more than life itself, not Truth or Facts.
"I'm in the "IN" crowd" beats
"I'm in the "TRUTH" crowd" every time, and only one thing
could ever change it:  veni Domine Iesu

73 DE Dave AB5S