Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!apple!agate!ucbvax!hplabs!otter!gjh
From: gjh@otter.hpl.hp.com (Graham Higgins)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: ST Format, TOS 1.4 moans directed at Atari UK (was: HAPPY NEW YEAR, ALL!)
Message-ID: <570057@otter.hpl.hp.com>
Date: 2 Feb 90 12:16:07 GMT
References: <1738@castle.ed.ac.uk>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, Bristol, UK.
Lines: 18


>     It's because they've gotten tired of slamming Commodore-Amiga. (He
> said, with half a smiley face.) It seems that some people just have to
> have SOMETHING to look down upon, to make them feel alright about the
> machines they purchased...

Yes, this *is* a known psychological phenomenon. Anyone wishing to know more
(those "enquiring minds", for example) should look up Festinger's cognitive
dissonance theory and the empirical work surrounding it. Doesn't explain
anti-STE attitudes adopted by journos though, they shouldn't be affected by
cognitive dissonance, not being personally involved in resource expenditure
decisions (the engine of cognitive dissonance). 

Graham
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Disclaimer: My opinions above are exactly that, mine and opinions.
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