Re: poly: Why Oldies Stations?

Robin Hanson writes:
> Here are some theories to explain this pattern:
> 1) Only young people have the time to explore new ways of doing things.
> Older folks are too busy to reconsider these choices.
> 2) The main function of these behaviors is to bond with and identify
> with a cohort. They are flags of allegiance.
> 3) People invest in integrating this stuff into their lives, and so
> choices get entrenched. For example, one may learn that in a
> certain mood one likes a certain musician. Or one's clothing
> wardrobe may be coordinated with one's makeup style.

I think its not quite any of these things, although 3) comes closest
to my guess.

4) People have trouble changing their habits, and once they get used
to one set of foods or a particular style or what have you, they have
trouble breaking the habit.

The distinction between 3 and 4 is that I don't think its a question
of needing to invest in changing (trying a new food is a fairly low
effort activity) as it is a question of simply being too habituated to
change.

Perry
Received on Fri Apr 3 15:26:16 1998