Time for the moderators to step in and
(1) simply lock down this crap thread and similar crap ones. If they do not, it's identification by association - full stop.
Really, are we so insecure that every dissenting opinion should be stomped out like the first zombie in an apocalypse?
While I couldn't care less what others spend on cables, and I am all about capitalism and pricing based on what the market will bear, I agree with the OP that some cable manufacturers have elevated their product and brand to the point where owning their cables approaches more of a validation of social standing than a good value. But hey, that is simply considered good marketing in many other industries. People will vote with their wallets so why worry about it?