This is one of those things that needs more introduction. Essentially Vladimir Cole posted a blog entry on Joystiq saying that rational gamers should prefer subsidized consoles. There’s a problem with his logic, though.
Essentially, his argument starts with “let’s assume 1 = 2.†It may make for an interesting argument, but it’s - well, not true. He attempts a simple misdirection by using the term ceteris paribus. “All other things being equal†would have worked just as well, except it makes it obvious the argument is stupid. By using Latin he attempts to lend authority to his argument. After all, quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
Or that which is said in Latin sounds profound.
What’s his argument? Effectively, if all the consoles were the same, people should choose the cheapest console. Wow. That’s amazing! I would have figured people would go for the most expensive!
Except, and here’s the other amazing thing, things aren't equal! This is inherently obvious. $250 isn’t $600. You won’t find The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess on the XBox 360. The consoles are different.
Because the consoles are different, people will value them differently. This part is less obvious but is the biggest reason Cole’s argument is flat-out stupid. Here’s a simple, pointless example. Nintendo recently released the Nintendo DS Lite in several colors. They all cost the same. But people will value them differently.
For example, I would rather have a black or white DS than a pink DS. Therefore, I value the pink DS less than the black or white DS, despite the fact that everything else is equal. So, even if the pink DS were $10 cheaper, I’d still go for a black or white DS because I prefer those colors.
Cole ignores this, instead postulating that all three consoles have the same intrinsic value. Even if all three consoles cost the same, people will still choose.
Try this for a thought experiment, Cole. Assume all three consoles cost $300, and you can only buy one. Which console would you choose? I’ll bet you’ll find that you have an answer to that, and it doesn’t involve dice. (After all, if three things are completely equivilent and have the exact same costs, choosing randomly is the only rational decision.)
Different people will have different answers to the above. Some people would rather have a PS3 instead of a Wii. Some people enjoy XBox Live over anything the Wii or PS3 can offer. The consoles aren’t the same and any thought experiment pretending they are is flat-out moronic.
Imagine, for a moment, that 1 = 2. What would 4 divided by 2 be?
Who cares. 1 isn’t 2. The Wii isn’t the PS3. And arguments started based on a false assumption are worthless.
You're right.
Vlad's a cynical ass. :/
Agreed
Vlad Cole is a tool. He articles were used to incite, and bordered on tabloid journalism. And if you criticized him, he would either delete your posts, attempt to ban you, or tell you how wrong you were and why he was always right.
If you looked at any of his last contributions, there were mostly people complaining about him.