Jan 25 2007
Kirby VS Dyson
Chrissy wants a Dyson vacuum cleaner so bad that she can taste it. She has been tempted by all of the advertising spots. Personally, I don’t see the point, since we have owned a Kirby for the last four years. The Kirby works very well, has numerous attachments, is made from die-cast aluminum, and is self-propelled in both forward and reverse via its own Porsche-made transmission. I love the Kirby.
However, Chrissy has shown me a number of positive reviews by Dyson owners. I have read them all, but I’m still not swayed. I believe that there are two main reasons for positive statements regarding the Dyson: one is the glut of crappy disposable vacuum cleaners on the market, and the other is cognitive disonance.
For example, if you’ve spent your whole life eating Saltines, then your first Ritz cracker will be a life-altering experience (thank you, Eddie Murphy). The same goes for vacuums. People spend their whole lives using “disposable” vacs that die out after a year or so of use, and then lose their minds when a working vacuum comes along. If you’ve been using a Kirby for several years, then the Ritz cracker doesn’t seem so impressive.
Second is a psychological term called Cognitive Disonance. Simply put, if you spend a lot of money on something, then you’re inclined to believe that the object must be worth that much money. Rather than believing that you’ve been swindled, your brain does the exact opposite. So, $500 later, you believe that you now own the best vacuum known to man.
This isn’t to say that the Dyson isn’t effective. I’m sure that it is. And I’m sure that people who own a Dyson think that it’s the best vacuum cleaner ever. It’s just that they may be wrong, because they don’t know any better and because their mind (and wallet) reinforces the opinion.
And finally, Kirby rules!
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