To the average human being they believe there is magic between the two connecting ends of the wire. Whatever goes on between those 6-24 feet of wiring is beyond them, for all they know there is magic dust performing miracles. The gold just makes it so the magic happens faster, more clear, and virus free.
Side note. My dad has a older dual core PC. It started blue screening whenever he started doing a lot of stuff on his computer. I took a look at it, and finally determined it was a bad stick of RAM. I think it brought his 2GB down to 1GB, or something like that. Told him I'd show him on Newegg what to order since it would most likely be cheaper, instead he went to Best Buy.. but I digress. With the new RAM in his computer obviously ran a lot faster and smoother.. but then he told me it made it better in another way. His picture was now way clearer and more sharp, from his new RAM. He put in 16GB in his 32bit OS, and it showed as only recognizing 3.5GB. I didn't have the heart to tell him that he 1) wasted money and 2) RAM does not affect your video sharpness and clarity. He's just one of those dudes that is always right and you fight an uphill battle if you argue. Ugh. Sorry to throw the thread off track.