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Speaking for myself only, I must disagree. I am sure as hell not OCD. There might be a tad bit of Aspergers in me though
The five stages of audiophile neurosis:
1. Well adjusted, happy and normal.
2. Mild obsessive complusive behavior, with occasional muttering to one's self.
3. Pronounced bipolar disorder, alternating periods of giddiness and feelings of emptiness. The decision to dramatically expand the search usually occurs during this stage
4. Angst and anger as reality sets in. Some sort of rehab often necessary.
5. Full blown Tourettes. A move to theraputic endeavors such as macrame or bread-making is often made in this stage.
You might have forgotten the "Ready to morgage the house and let the spouse go" phase?
Solution to that: Marry another research engineer...
Then you hear "build 7, will you, so we can do proper surround".
OK, but where to meet a female research engineer? Where do they hang out?
Oh my Lord! Better forget I asked that question!
I don't know if were OCD or not ... but I do know, what ever it is, I LIKE IT!
What about the scientists who listen to radio telescopes all night hoping for the "connection" to another life-form? Talk about throwing money at a problem. One might think especially if there is no one else to contact. The fact that we don't know drives the scientific community to try and know.
What about the researchers at Mauna Kea at the Keck Observatory trying to understand the black holes. They shoot an 18 inch wide laser light 55 miles up to stabalize their images to compensate for the earth's atmosphere. What if we never fully understand black holes? Is that money wasted? I doubt the scientific community would think so.
Audiophiles spend more money to HEAR MORE just as better telescopes allow us to see more, or satellites that try to get us much closer when our land-based telescopes are not enough.
The fact that the audiophiles achieves instant gratification with his next purchase, knowing full well he is still not hearing it all, but willing to wait and enjoy until that next purchasing opportunity comes along. His accomplishments are real and matter to him. The value is his to decide. Just as the scientists made do with their current hardware, studying the sky, waiting(often days, weeks, months, years), and hoping that there is funding for the next "big thing" to help them look or hear deeper into space.
The only thing audiophiles are waiting for is the laser or the stylus to transmit the next image to our brains. That is not OCD.
Boy are YOU behind the times. Oh well, doesn't matter, I'm not in the market anyhow...
Uh, let's stick to scientists here.
What do you think we "research scientists" actually do. Do I need to remind you about the stuff that hasn't been commercialized, partially because of the perception that the high-end is full of it?
If it's just us, it seems like an awful waste of space.
No one would accuse Stephen Hawking of being obsessive compulsive about black holes. Cough, cough.
The Golden Age of black holes was officially declared over in the 60s. By then virtually everything there is to know about black holes was already known.
"A black hole has no hair."
Guys this is a hobby, remember? Just like collecting stamps or vintage cars. The only difference is, we get instant joy as a result of our hobby: Music that sounds marvellous, which we love endlessly. If some of us are obsessive, compulsive or both, so what? Who needs a blooming social life if you're OCD and love to listen to wonderfully reproduced music?
More than that Rubberduck, on AVS etc, scientists have been caught "playing with the numbers" and even posting falsified test conditions in order to discredit a scientific test, thus protecting their position.
So why do "honest" research scientists do such things? Backround agenda, big business, manipulate public opinion, a little on the side?
With that said most extravagent products that are merely art work.
Cheers.
My thought is that fame & fortune are overrated
And usually they work for some huge company who compete with other huge manufacturers for hundreds of millions of dollars of sales. Or work on behalf of a company to keep costs low. The propaganda is going to fly to manipulate public opinion and market share.
Cheers.
I think it would be nice to try it out and really know for sure! lol
Guess you already knew I feel the same, but since I never got the chance...
Thanks Jim,
You made some really great points.
Mark
LMAO!
Thanks Duck! I could not agree more!
Mark
This is what it's all about IMHO. And if I am OCD and find my joy, peace, and harmony in my hobby of 25 years....then so be it.
Women will just have to understand.
By the way, I love this Steve Steigman 1979 print. I have it in my listening room behind my gear. It originated as a Maxell tape commercial that aired on television in the early 80's. The guy was listening to Wagner's 'Flight of the Valkyries' at full volume. very cool.
Mark
I guess we all recognize it and think it's cool
BTW, this version suits this thread better, don't you think?
Ahhh, Wagner and dessert ... it's the simple pleasures.
After a few more paradigm shifts you may feel inclined to replace the Steve Steigman 1979 print with this one:
"Are we obsessive/compulsive?"
Yeah, so?
Actually, we are a little OCD with a fetish/paraphilia component.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Thats a good one Geoff. I like this one alot
Buddha,
Now I dig what you be throwin' down my man
I totally concur with you Duck.
I thought I told my wife to stop putting images up on Google? Just another case where she never listens.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist. Really. And to get the diagnosis of OCD you have to suffer distress from the malady. It was NOT distressing to me to measure the distance from my speakers to my nose using string. Not at all! It WAS a bit distressing to my wife who was holding and moving the string though.
So if it does not distress you, it is not OCD.
Trey
Pictures please...
Sorry, you just missed out. Evanna Manley just got married.
That's no guarantee of respectability.
We believe you though many won't.
Hm, interesting definition considering many psychiatric pathologies are experienced as 'normal' and un- distressing despite making the 'sufferer' significantly dysfunctional.
Sigmund rolls in his grave at such simplistic assertions I suspect.
Consider this. Putting aside your wife's reaction for now let's imagine you happily play the 'string to nose game' 25 times a day and are perfectly contented in doing so. How would you diagnose such behavior?
Possibly Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder?
http://www.healthyplace.com/other-info/p...der/menu-id-71/
Do not listen to Keld about the photos or documentaion. He will only bring it up again at the most inappropriate time? lol
This would be professionally true if you must renew any license you may hold. I'm just trying to help!
Of course I will! I was hired to do so!