Hans K0HB wrote:
"Kim W5TIT" wrote


Were they as free as Hans seems to think they are, I really
wonder how valuable they would be.



I will try to end your wondering. First, I don't "seem to think"; for
my value system I "know". All of the things I mentioned are among the
things I value the very most in life. They come to me as free
unconditional gifts which no amount of 'investment' would earn. In
other words, their value is completely independent of their cost.

Without putting words in anyones mouth, it appears from the posts of
you, Jim and Dee, that your value system is based on 'investment gives
beneficial results'. In my value system, the 'results' are valued
solely on merit without regard to how I acquired them.

As a kind of crude example, the value of two $10.00 bills, one which I
found on the street and the other which I performed hard labor to earn
are exactly equal. What I 'invested' in either one is absolutely
immaterial when calculating their value --- the corner grocer will
take either one and give me precisely the same change when I purchase
a jar of olives.

Taking it back to the context of this thread, my amateur license or my
drivers license or my fishing license have value to me based on the
beneficial things I can do with them. The value is not related in any
fashion to the 'cost' or 'effort' that it took to obtain the license.

Good post, and good argument, Hans.

But I wonder if there is no place for pride of accomplishment? In my
other hobby, I spent several years making a large telescope. It was an
intense project, and took a lot of effort. In the end, I was rewarded
with a wonderful, beautiful, and very high quality instrument. It won
first place in the only competition I entered it in.

I'm very proud of it, and very proud of being able to accomplish such a
feat with my own hands. I would have no such thoughts about the purchase
of a commercial telescope of somewhat similar style. So something must
be going on there.



"I came to see your beautiful new baby, not to
listen to a description of your labor pains."

oy!

- Mike KB3EIA -