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The Econolog's avatar

I think the Endowment effect plays an even larger role in scenarios when the potential gain is uncertain. For example, if I offered you to trade your mug for my lottery ticket, instead of a pen - the value of the lottery ticket (expected gain) would probably have to be quite a bit higher than the value of the pen. Just curious what you think about that!

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Alex D.'s avatar

That's an interesting question, because it combines several biases: the endowment effect, and our tendency to overestimate the probability of winning a large amount of money — such as when buying lottery tickets. I'd say people would rather have something with full certainty than speculating on a big gain. There are sayings for this in a number of languages actually.

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Elaine R. Frieman's avatar

Thanks for sharing, Alejandro. As I’ve said on another post, I’m trying to limit purchases to experience purchasing but I definitely see this impact on things I already own and value (even if the value is only perceived by me). 😅

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Alex D.'s avatar

Thanks for reading Elaine :)

That additional value that only owners see is what I like to call the ‘emotional premium’. What is it that you wouldn’t sell even above its market price?

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Elaine R. Frieman's avatar

My tea sets, family heirlooms, precious books. My list probably could be quite long. I like only to keep things that have a place but I do like the things I have! That "emotional premium" is high (maybe nonsensical in terms of "value" but what is value anyway?) What about you? What wouldn't you sell?

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Alex D.'s avatar

I absolutely agree. The concept of value should probably be revisited by economists. That premium often hides priceless memories. Besides my car, I wouldn’t sell my piano or my paintings — though it would really depend on the bid price for the paintings 😅

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Elaine R. Frieman's avatar

Oh how amazing! Do you play the piano? Did you inherit the paintings, support local artists, something else, or paint them yourself? Perhaps differently to you, I have zero attachment to my car. Hehe!

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Alex D.'s avatar

I do. I started to play when I was 19, and it’s one of my favourite things to do.

They’re my paintings. I took up acrylic painting some months ago and I it gets me into a state of flow. I paint for hours and I lose track of time!

Do you make art or play any musical instrument?

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Elaine R. Frieman's avatar

How interesting! I have zero musical talent and no musical ear at all. However, I have painted with acrylic and have painted since I was around fifteen, but I left all but two paintings with my ex-husband when I moved back to England. I do still have all manner of painting supplies and blank canvasses but haven't painted for some time now – maybe one day I'll start again.

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