I really like this comparison. I can't take credit though, it was used in the article I read about a trend toward Edison's exposed element bulbs in restaurants and other locations looking for a certain ambiance. The problem is that they are energy hogs. If they are truly being used as decoration and not in mass quantities, this might be OK, but the decorations are usually strings of the lights in large quantities.

From another article:

...they hover in groups of two and three. ...they snake through the cafe, restaurant and patio. ...they cluster near the entrance as an enticement. ...their antique glow has spread like a power surge.

In the US, the last major producer of incandescent bulbs is GE and they are set to close the line later this month. What do you think, will they find a way to hang on the way traditional fireplaces have?