Perspective and Relativity

I have a friend who brought up a interesting argument the other day and I'd first like to relate it to you and then explain something important about perspective and relativity.

My friend brought up his issue with buying an alcoholic drink and spending so much for it. He figures he can basically get a free water or a much cheaper pink lemonade and be just as satisfied. This is very true, but also flawed in many respects. How so? Ill explain. 

I went on to explain to my friend the flaw in his thinking with an illustration. I told him that he can go to Burger King and get a Whopper for a few bucks right? However many times he will go to places like Ruby Tuesday's to get a burger and spend a considerable amount more for essentially the same thing. What is the difference? Here is where relativity and perspective come in. The difference is the price relative to that of the experience. In one instance many will complain about the price of drink or food, but in another instance with the same variables they will completely disregard the price if its something they like or desire to do. As with my friend, he couldn't understand why people would spend 13 bucks on one drink when they can get water because he doesn't care much for drinking, but he will spend 50 bucks for a ticket to a sporting event that he can watch on T.V. for free. Undoubtedly, someone who loves drinking would have just as valid of a complaint about someone going to a Basketball game. Or would he?

You see it's all about perspective. However many people are so stuck in their viewpoint that other people's viewpoint becomes irrational when it really is not. It's like looking at the math problem 2+3=5 and agreeing that it makes perfect sense, but then when presented with the problem 3+2=5 they can't see how that can be true. Even though the order in which the numbers are presented are switched, both ways of presenting it still lead to the same answer. Notice too that both solutions are correct. So try something new for me, before voicing complaint about something or someone's likes, dislikes, or decisions look at it from another angle. You might find that 2+3 and 3+2 really do both equal 5. 

Or you can say "that's just his perspective on perspective and its completely wrong"...I'm cool with that because I am thinking the same thing about you if you disagree with me:)

Written by individual contributor

Anthony Savage (a.k.a. Analytical Ant)