I don't need a shiny car, but I often feel like I want one. That is what Russell is talking about and that is still something that is very wrong about our society.
Interestingly, I'm in the same boat (car?) WRT utility and being happier with an ugly, scratched car.
However, I have no trouble avoiding being given feelings about my car by someone else, since my feelings are mine alone, and I am secure in them.
This means that I don't feel like I want a shiny car (how is feeling like one wants different from actually wanting?), but I don't think it's wrong to attempt to dissuade me.
In fact, I consider a good salesperson to be someone who discovers something I want, but had been unaware of, and points it out to me. I may lose some blissful ignorance, a trade-off I consider well worth it.
I find it interesting that a few of you are suggesting that the logical opposite of a brand new shiny car is not simply an old, still well maintained car, but an unpleasant poorly maintained ("ugly", "scratched") car.
If you buy a timeless design and maintain it properly, there is nothing to be ashamed about, but letting your car get scratched to the point of rusting below the paint, this is sloppiness.
Interestingly, I'm in the same boat (car?) WRT utility and being happier with an ugly, scratched car.
However, I have no trouble avoiding being given feelings about my car by someone else, since my feelings are mine alone, and I am secure in them.
This means that I don't feel like I want a shiny car (how is feeling like one wants different from actually wanting?), but I don't think it's wrong to attempt to dissuade me.
In fact, I consider a good salesperson to be someone who discovers something I want, but had been unaware of, and points it out to me. I may lose some blissful ignorance, a trade-off I consider well worth it.