Target Is
Target is like Toys “R” Us for twentysomethings.
Pumpkin Time Again
Target is like Toys “R” Us for twentysomethings.
Since the last science article I wrote here was pretty successful, I’ve set to work on another one: this time the topic is an intriguing part of global warming. I think you’ll like it.
A recent article by Marc Hedlund (who writes the Wheaties for Your Wallet blog) covers a paper entitled Consumer Myopia and Information Suppression in Crowded Markets. If you scanned too quickly over that title, think about it once more: it means that when consumers don’t take the time to analyze the full extent of their purchases/services in a given market, then they will get overcharged by companies taking advantage of mis/dis/missing-information.
A good example in the article is printers: if you are aware that you can get cheap off-brand ink, use ink-conserving settings, and avoid printing things like webpage backgrounds, etc. … well, then you are an educated (non myopic) printer consumer. By buying a cheap printer, and avoiding the expensive add-ons the printer companies expect you to buy, you’ve beat their system! Here’s a good quote from the article:
Credit card companies have a name for this kind of educated, sophisticated consumer, one who avoids all the fees credit card companies normally charge. They call consumers like that “deadbeats.” Sounds like someone who doesn’t pay their bills, right? But no — it’s exactly the opposite. A deadbeat is someone who does pay their bills, and thereby avoids late charges and overlimit fees.
Finally, there’s a good point here that you can easily gloss over; it is nevertheless very important… the only person who can educate the consumer without monetary loss is other consumers. Thus, something such as Consumer Reports must be a non-profit if it is to even exist.
It’s not impossible, but not exactly straightforward, to engineer an argument against this statement:
That’s just the start. Why didn’t Microsoft implement some really awesome tools to assist with driver and hardware management? What they have is so basic! They have BILLIONS upon BILLIONS of dollars and this is the best that they can do?
Honestly, Windows XP isn’t terrible as an operating system; if you stick to simple stuff and don’t expect too much, it can serve you well. But in terms of bang-for-the-buck, it must be the worst piece of software ever. Because if it’s the best that a company can do with more money than most (e.d.: ‘some’) countries, well that just says that the company in question is pathetic.
Don’t get me wrong, I use Windows XP everyday, for over 8 hours a day. It’s stable, yes. But to get it to function the way I need, in an atmosphere where minor problems and annoyances are multiplied by many orders of magnitude, I’ve had to pour through countless pieces of dense documentation, look up arcane tool-chains, and do things no normal user should have to do.
Do I want some cheese with my whine? Perhaps. Or I’ll just start saving for a Mac (and cheese? … har) … or maybe it’s an Apple… which do go well with cheese. Can you tell it’s Friday?
For some reason, I really like this picture. I think it’s the subtle sunlight.
From Mykala’s Madre.
National Meatloaf Appreciation Day is today. Perhaps you’d like to know more?
You may recall that we declared today National Meatloaf Appreciation Day to celebrate the unique combination of comfort and innovation that meatloaf embodies. We asked readers—and the Serious Eats team—to make a meatloaf, document the process and share their results.
Upon the realization that I haven’t eaten (experienced, really) meatloaf in years, and upon the realization that I should experiment in the kitchen a bit — I wouldn’t mind giving one of these recipes a shot in my own little culinary space.
Purchased these for Mykala at Whole Foods for Sweetest Day.
Picture update coming soon - it’s been about two weeks since I put new pictures up! This will be exciting. I’ll try to get some good ones up. In the meantime, listen to John Mayer’s song “3x5.” Or, leave your own recommendation for me.
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