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Valuable Objects Stimulate Brain More Than Junk

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the klepto-addiction dept.

Roland Piquepaille writes "According to researchers at the University of California at San Diego, visual areas of our brain respond more to valuable objects than other ones. In other words, our brain has stronger reactions when we see a diamond ring than we look at junk. Similarly, our brain vision areas are more excited by a Ferrari than, say, a Tata new Nano car. In this holiday season, I'm sure you've received gifts that excited your brain — and others that you already want to resell on an auction site."

3 of 118 comments (clear)

  1. In Japan... by djupedal · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    The Japanese have an 'eye' for quality. They seem to unconsciously detect poor quality in things such as cars, clothes, furniture etc. Details on a new car that would escape a Westerner are prime suspects to the Japanese consumer, without their making much of a conscious effort to decide.

    Food is considered more for presentation than taste. They ask themselves how the meal makes them feel when they look at the arrangement of the plates, cups and consumables. This is one reason westerners often comment that Japanese food is typically bland.

    This seems in contrast to their buildings which are so frequently torn down that they've apparently lost interest at that level.

    1. Re:In Japan... by EastCoastSurfer · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      I stopped bring people there because many Americans hate seafood beyond basic tuna, shrimp, or lobster, et al. Sushi is definitely a no-no to many.

      I'm surprised how many people have not eaten or will not eat sushi. A good piece of sushi is a treat no matter what culture you're from. You just have to get over that it's raw.

      BTW (and this is more to the GP), the only time I've ever thought Japanese food was bland was AFTER I went to Tokyo and had sushi (and other food) in the fish market there. Every piece of sushi I've had back in here in the states hasn't even come close to the same flavors I had there. I'm sure part of that comes from the fact that I couldn't understand sushi chef enough to actually know what I was eating, but damn it was good :)

  2. Finally, the Apple Mac effect explained! by Peter+Cooper · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    So this is why Mac users have such larger brains than Windows users!