Fahnsen:
If you're a salesman, actually earning money from making people buy your stuff, it's not ethical at all. It's bordering on fraud.
I take issue with that. There is nothing fraudulent about sales. A customer comes into a store or showroom and takes interest in a product. As a salesman I discuss their needs with them and make recommendations about which product(s) would suit their needs. The customer then has equal opportunity to either part with their money and buy the item(s) or walk away.
I earn my living honestly and through damn hard work day in, day out.
I do agree with you about the endless upgrade spiral though. Its dangerous and doesn't lead to satisfaction, either in musical terms or financial considerations. I also agree that mood can make a huge difference to one's perception of how a piece of equipment, or indeed the whole system, is performing. Ending up with a good quality hi-fi set-up enriches musical enjoyment which, in turn, enriches life. Being stuck on an eternal upgrade and tweaking merry-go-round ruins everything.