

Is a really nice fountain pen worth a couple hundred dollars actually 2000 times better than a bic? Is a collectors vehicle safer, faster, or more practical than a modern one?
The difference is that collector vehicles are not seen or advertised as having higher safety than a modern vehicle and a fountain pen is not seen as being more convenient or even as reliable as a bic.
(Certain) Audiophiles regularly confuse people not part of the hobby, convincing them that they need a fancy cable or else their equipment won’t work. Monster cables preyed on this for years.
You don’t see people doing the same for buying a pen. Nobody goes to a store intending to buy a bic and accidentally getting talked into buying a mont blanc.
If they didn’t prey upon those not interested in the hobby, then I’d agree with your take.

I mean there’s not really an alternative so long as Democrats don’t have any real power. It’s difficult to fight people who feel zero shame and also control most mass media outlets.