To support this perspective, Bloom references how women in Afghanistan owned different colored Burkas, representing more than the item itself, but their freedom. For instance, the text states, "Postrel begins her book in Kabul after the Taliban fell, describing how the women there reveled in their freedom to possess burkas of different colors and to paint their nails" (Bloom 4). This reflects the claim that pleasure is derived from the deeper meaning and history of the item itself. Historically, women in Afghanistan had not had freedom, so buying many colored Burkas for women in Afghanistan is much more than a pretty piece of fabric. Although women in Afghanistan do not live in an environment where market-based translation and love for materialistic items seem to dominate society, these perspectives interestingly apply as well. The majority of Bloom's arguments are not applied to those in a specific country, but given the cultural context of Western society, it is applied as such. This application to those in another culture showcases how these behaviors towards material items are reflective of human nature. However, it is also important to note that this kind of behavior is more common in areas such as the United States, given its consumer culture. However, it is crucial to understand that this still happens outside of market-dominated societies. This is a global matter, as we are all humans, irrespective of culture.

To further support this perspective, Bloom references Miller's Book, Spent: Sex, Evolution, and Consumer Behavior (2009). Miller expresses how knockoff versions of luxury items exist. Yet, people still buy the authentic version anyway because the items represent more to them than just signal status (referring to signaling theory, a theory that Bloom believes is incomplete regarding this issue). For example, the essay states, "No doubt Rolex loses some sales because people prefer the knockoff, but since the company is still in business, there are apparently enough shoppers who pay a premium of about $29,000 for an authenticity that makes no perceptible difference" (Bloom 5). This explains that many people buy luxury items purely because they value their authenticity, which is their criteria of value. You cannot tell the difference between some knockoffs and others; however, this does not matter to those who value authenticity over the fact that it is a luxury item (which also distinguishes the gaps in signaling theory, showcasing the vastness of this matter).

To further explain this perspective, Bloom gives examples of mundane personal items and how they don't hold high monetary value, yet people still value them in other ways. It is crucial to take non-luxury items into account. Given that these perspectives reflect human nature, not every human can afford luxury items, but they still attach importance to consumer items. For instance, the text states, "Think about your wedding ring or your child’s baby shoes. Such objects serve no practical purpose, they need not be beautiful in any sensory way, and they are useless as signals" (Bloom 7). This reflects the psychological impact that exists regarding this issue. The item does not provide the person with any type of status signal or sensory pleasure; however, it provides them with emotional pleasure. For these people, emotional value is what gives an item its purpose. In other words, emotional value is their base and criteria for what gives an item meaning. The authenticity and history here are evident from personal and emotional experiences. It further reflects the claim that not all items of value are those that are high in monetary value, especially the ones mentioned in the previous perspectives and their respective evidence.

Additionally, Bloom's reference to Postrel's The Substance of Style (2003) further expresses the idea that people give value to items through psychological and emotional means. The human psyche is a complex and ever-growing structure. Analyzing this is crucial when trying to figure out why we do what we do and how we do it. This can be applied to various human behaviors. Postrel and Bloom analyze the mind regarding something we all do on a daily basis. For example, the text states, "In her wonderful 2003 book The Substance of Style, Virginia Postrel argues that our reaction to many consumer items is “immediate, perceptual, and emotional" (Bloom 1). This shows that our reaction to items as humans stems from deeper, emotional, transparent, and psychological sources from within, as opposed to the purely materialistic view that the majority of society seems to hold. Given that Bloom starts his essay with this, he wants readers to understand this perspective first and foremost, showing the prevalence and importance of this perspective. This, in turn, can set up the reader's thinking and allow them to form their own ideas while navigating the many theories Bloom brings up in a similar way, with different authors he reveres.