Some guys are definitely more rational about the Like button than others. But this takes awareness.
The reality is that Human nature has wired us to like people who are similar to us. Humans have a proclivity toward “factions” a tendency to divide ourselves into teams or parties that are so inflamed with “mutual animosity” that they are “much more disposed to vex and oppress each other than to cooperate” and make this hobby more enjoyable…. people are so prone to factionalism that “where no substantial occasion presents itself, the most frivolous and fanciful distinctions have been sufficient to kindle their unfriendly passions and excite their most violent conflicts.” (Quotes are from James Madison Federalist Number 10.)
And in this context of high end audio, people like others who share similar tastes and brands they enjoy. After all, we are dealing with very powerful emotions - those arising from music. And in so many cases, the guys who like the gear or audio experiences they like are right, while everyone else is a dumb mother fuyer….
This, of course, related to the naive realism psychological fallacy that plagues this hobby - guys believe what they perceive is real, is the absolute truth ,and applies to everyone. So everyone must have the same emotional reaction to the music played through their favorite stereo concoction. "If you don't share my taste of stereo reproduction of Wilson/ Magico/ dcs, Brand XYZ, you are a FRIGGIN IDIOT!"
We see this very frequently on this forum, with guys who own the same brand or those who have hung out listening together. They have formed bonds that’s resulted in small social networks and factions. Examples we see are wilson / dcs fanboys, the wadax owners and fans, horn guys, SET guys, platonic imaginationists, guys making the pilgrimage to DDK’s Mecca, taiko thread, lampizator owners, etc. And outside the forum, for example, the Boston based Goodwin dealership and many of their customers worship Rockport over Wilson and everything else, etc. Every experienced audiophile has figured out their own approach....
The guys falling into their small social networks follow each other around, “liking” each other’s posts.
Us , humans, are suckers for flattery, and this “liking” function further reinforces and amplifies the phenomenon. Per James Madison, these small gangs cooperate and support each other’s posts, fighting for those “common goals” and tastes of their group. And they clash and argue with the other guys who do not share their views and preferences. These repeated forum “battles” further strengthen the bonds within their social networks …
Scientifically grounded behavioral science principles confirm all of this. (check out pioneering research by Robert Cialdini in his book Influence.)
@AudioGod , I saw your thread regarding Jay's Audio Lab. One way to look at it and to answer your question, guys who share his taste and approach will like him, those who don't will ignore or despise him. Now that he owns wilson, he will attact wilson fans like flies. Until he dumps wilson...
