> If we applied that logic to everything in our lives, we'd all use computers from Skymall and eat food we see on QVC

Pretty sure GP didn't say "completely give in to all impulse purchases and cease to use your brain about the worth of things."

I agree with GP. I bought my own monitor. It's great. It significantly improves my workday, and I get to take it with me if I quit. It generally gets two reactions: first, "how did you manage to get a better monitor than everyone else" and second, "why would you spend your money to help the company?" Not sure how something that contributes directly to my comfort while performing my job is helping the company more than it's helping me, but whatever. Seems very much like cutting off your nose to spite your face to just stick with the standard monitor to avoid "giving" the company something. Same as the folks who spend time every month filing expense reports and having corporate mobile device management profiles on their phones so they can get reimbursed $20/month for their mobile data.

Also, a better monitor can improve my job performance which can lead to better reviews! Working effectively is important to your own bottom line.

> - It can preclude opportunities for learning and even teach you entirely false things under the guise they are true

An example? The OP was talking about purchasing a monitor/keyboard/mouse.