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I understand the concept .... it just hasn't been my experience as a viewer, and others I've heard from don't share it either, but I'm not denying it is real.

Conventions and stuff ... award gatherings .... great stuff and they look wonderful. But attending them does not define one's greatness, no more than it does for those who attend them to attain perceptions of prestige. Everyone has to make decisions in life, and if I decide not to travel long distances to attend an event, I do so consciously. I see the value of them ... it's not that I consider them a waste of time.



I get ya there since it doesn’t define ones greatness just to attend them…it’s really all just about their public image or persona and as you said the “perceptions of prestige” to their peers and all the mooks at home. If you pull up in an extravagantly expensive vehicle, get out in an Armani suit, Rolex watch and sporting more bling, bling then William H Gates III could afford. Afterwards then everyone says and thinks I want to be THAT GUY….I want to aspire to be him. The fact of the matter is it all about connections/networking, ass kissing and naturally greasing everyone’s palms. Money can’t buy you happiness but its all in the perception and the fantasy that it could. Now if you pulled in a beat up ford pick up wearing bib overalls with no bling, bling….you would be perceived by everyone as nobody. Funny thing is if you if you check the history of Sam Walton that’s exactly how he rolled. Now you’re probably saying who is this insignificant nobody? Oh, that guy he’s just the founder of Wal-Mart. What really pisses me off are the folks that are almost living at the poverty level who will either scrape some cash together or ask an affiliate to pay their way just to show off. What fucking immature posers.