Probably because I don't describe what I buy as "the very best," which implies some kind of universal judgment. And I think some people reading his essay think he sounds self-congratulatory. I don't think that anyone reading my comment would take it as anything other than an entirely personal pursuit.
Ex: back when Dustin was shopping for pans, he tweeted something like "What's the best cookware?" and I responded that he had to answer what "best" meant for him, because there are many "best" pans — some are the easiest to clean (non-stick), some are the most beautiful (copper), some are the most durable (Le Creuset), some are the most versatile (copper pans can't be used with tomato sauce, you know), some are the best at creating even heat dispersal (cast iron). No pan is the best in all categories. IMO there is no such thing as "best". The world is too complex. And even then some people would say that a wok is easier to "clean" than non-stick because you never use soap; some people don't think copper is the most beautiful (although I do), etc., etc. Like I said… complex.
I've got no illusions that I have "the best" of anything. I may say something is "Perfect for the room" (as I did about my new medicine cabinet), but that's deceptive because there are many things that are "perfect" for the room. They create different effects. I swapped sofas because one was sagging and I was shopping for possibilities without something particular in mind and found several totally different sofas that would have been awesome. I picked only one of them. It's perfect for the room. So would have the other one I liked best.
Looking for "the best" sounds like it could eat up your entire life. I'm positive there are better medicine cabinets out there, even for my purposes. But I didn't find one, and it won't keep me up at night. I had a blast and I love the one I found (and negotiated for).
Ex: back when Dustin was shopping for pans, he tweeted something like "What's the best cookware?" and I responded that he had to answer what "best" meant for him, because there are many "best" pans — some are the easiest to clean (non-stick), some are the most beautiful (copper), some are the most durable (Le Creuset), some are the most versatile (copper pans can't be used with tomato sauce, you know), some are the best at creating even heat dispersal (cast iron). No pan is the best in all categories. IMO there is no such thing as "best". The world is too complex. And even then some people would say that a wok is easier to "clean" than non-stick because you never use soap; some people don't think copper is the most beautiful (although I do), etc., etc. Like I said… complex.
I've got no illusions that I have "the best" of anything. I may say something is "Perfect for the room" (as I did about my new medicine cabinet), but that's deceptive because there are many things that are "perfect" for the room. They create different effects. I swapped sofas because one was sagging and I was shopping for possibilities without something particular in mind and found several totally different sofas that would have been awesome. I picked only one of them. It's perfect for the room. So would have the other one I liked best.
Looking for "the best" sounds like it could eat up your entire life. I'm positive there are better medicine cabinets out there, even for my purposes. But I didn't find one, and it won't keep me up at night. I had a blast and I love the one I found (and negotiated for).
For me, it's about fun and enjoying what I have.