Originally posted by richard:
This reminds me of Tolstoy's observation in Anna Karenina that

all good marriages are the same[/b], but each failed marriage is unique.
1. No, they are not.
2. Behind that statement is an assumption that there is a universal mould of an ideal marriage -- far from the truth, IMHO.
3. It also assumes that "marriage" is desired and "failed marriage" is "bad." It does not allow that "separation" from even a "good marriage" might lead to even "better" lives for the individuals involved. Polygamy, serial-monogamy, and other living arrangements are not even considered.
It's just a statement with lots of hidden assumptions and unarticulated value judgements. It reeks influence of centuries of Western Judeo-Christian thinking and it "sounds good" only to those also influenced by the same thinking (which, admittedly, might be 90%+ of modern civilized societies). (E.g., rephrase that statement to "all good polygamous relationships are the same ..." and see how well that goes.)
Now apply the above to pianos.
(Should probably bring this to the Coffee Room depending on where the responses go.

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