Once the conversation shifts from performance to prestige and image, you&#x27;re back to my original statement, which is about something existing primarily to have its purchase price shared.<p>Your car example is perfect.  If performance was the <i>only</i> metric the buyer of a Pagani cared about, he&#x27;d have bought a ZR-1 Corvette.  But because anyone with a six figure income and a 730+ FICO can buy a Vette, the gazillionaire buys the Pagani, something that exists (in part) because it projects the buying capability of it&#x27;s owner.