While Montblanc-bashing bores me I will say that last week I held Montblanc Charlie Chaplin Skeleton pen, Greta Garbo, Princess Grace and George Bernard Shaw pens.
These are simply "another thing" - what seems odd to me is that people equate the value of these items of what I like to call, useful-jewellery in some way with their component parts.
There is NO dispute from me that a $50,000 pen (The MB Charlie Chaplin) is insane, yet who am I to decide whether someone else sees the value in it and buys it?
I do know one thing - every one of the pens I saw was magnificent. What's ridiculous to me is to think their price should be determined by those (me, included) who have limited appreciation for the effort, design, marketing and infrastructure that goes into their creation.
The market determines the value of well, nearly everything that is sold. Branding is a phenomenally complex field and for me, a fascinating one, which I dedicate a LOT of time and effort to grasping.
One thing I am certain of is this: I am grateful to have enough money to be able to survive, live in a country where it is not dangerous to disagree with the government and where I can apply my modest skills and intellect in an attempt to excel.
If it turns out that what I design/make is valued far beyond the market-norm (or cost of its component parts) by people, then working to do more of "what I do" seems a fair thing to apply the additional income to ..... isn't that what the Montblancs, Porsches, Hugo Bosses and Apples of the world (and in fact, most enterprises) are doing?
Finally, as far as the idea that I should instead take what "discretionary" money I have and give it to a needy student - really? That's what I should do with any additional money I have through application of my skills and effort? I spend 30+ hours each week in community service - my wife flies into harm's way with the Red Cross. Our region was devastated by our nation's worst natural disaster and I spent a year helping other people rebuild their lives and we became nearly destitute ourselves, doing so .....
...and I own one Montblanc pen that I paid more than a thousand dollars for. Got any other suggestions about how I should live my life as a better citizen? Think about it, would you?