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This new "space race" between Boeing and SpaceX is fascinating. I don't know if it's a David vs. Goliath thing, or more like the tortoise and the hare. On the one hand, SpaceX can be viewed as a shining example of free-market capitalism at work. Innovate. Take risks. Move fast and break things...

I just came across this article about McD's pricing. It's an interesting read, in that they're apparently feeling some consumer push-back from their recent price increases. But this paragraph really stuck out for me, in the context of the broader debate over "government" vs. "actual" inflation...

That was interesting about the luggage. It wasn't lost. It was removed to make room for a piece of equipment - a urine recycling system. You wouldn't thing two suitcases would put them over the edge. I would have guessed they'd just load a few more pounds of fuel, and run the engines for an...

Part of the McDonald's pricing strategy is to drive people to use the app. I think they view the menu prices like the posted nightly rate on the back of the hotel room door. Nobody in their right mind pays that. You always look for a discount. Another way they do this is "special" promotional...

See below... So far, yes. But this first baby step is interesting. Looks like there's a bit of a fight brewing. My money is on the lobbyists. I hope I'm wrong.

The photocopier log is a good example of poorly chosen metrics. Another target-rich environment for those is technical support or "Help Desk" call centers. Measure how many calls are handled in a given time, and you'll get a lot of hang-ups and "try this and call back" type answers. Measure how...

Interesting comment about after the boomers are gone. I used to think boomers were the generation born immediately after WWII, when the soldiers came home and, er, resumed normal activities. Turns out somewhere along the way the boomer cohort was extended to include me, born almost a decade and...

I think it's a variation of the saying "you get what you measure." In other words, the metrics you choose to have your employees report on are the ones they're going to focus on. Lots of examples of picking the wrong metric and not getting the results you want, out in the real world. People find...

I did my part to shift the labor-force participation numbers back in line. As did a lot of us here. Can't blame us!

Oddly enough, I'm fine with YouTube for "infotainment." I prefer non-fiction to drama, and there's a lot you can learn out there. And since I only watch when I have some time to kill, I don't mind quite as much if some of it is wasted. I do, however, prefer a faster-paced delivery. Simon...

I guess I'm screwed. The tests for "cognitive decline" always seem to be focused on short-term memory. Mine has always been awful, as far back as elementary school. I like to think it forced me to actually learn things, instead of just repeating what I'd heard. That skill has served me well over...

That's half the battle - knowing your own limits. For me it's gas fitting. I am very comfortable working with electricity, based on both experience and formal training. Gas scares the crap out of me. Sort of reminds me of working on hydraulic lines, which I barely muddle through, but with far...

You are correct, of course. I guess my point is that people's beliefs are colored by whichever on-line echo chamber they join, to the point where they make decisions, and vote, against their own interests because their "tribe" tells them to.

I think it's the last one... "something else." That something is the media and so-called "social" media, spinning people up for clicks and votes. The way to get those is to spread fear, uncertainty and doubt. It makes perfect sense that a majority think the economy is horrible. That's what...

You are very fortunate indeed. But it does very much seem like you're looking down your nose a bit at those who do have to worry about wasting money. Your post really adds nothing else to the conversation. In my own defense (and maybe others in my circumstances) I chose to RE at pretty much the...

I'm a DIY'er from way back. Originally out of necessity, but eventually it allowed me to retire early by keeping housing expenses way down. I must be old fashioned. I never made the "pivot to video" which apparently everyone else did. I simply don't have the patience to watch some moron blabber...

No, of course. Probably a loss leader. But as I said the price isn't far off the former sale price, presumably also a loss leader, so I still say it's evidence that a lot of this so-called "inflation" is really just opportunistic pricing, testing to see what they can get away with. Which makes...

Strawberry rhubarb pie for me, thanks. I used to make it a lot. A friend had tons of it growing in her yard. We have one scrawny plant which survived in the overgrown mess which used to be my late neighbors' garden. The new owners don't live there and don't even know about it. So I'll harvest...

"Buyers' Strike." I like that phrase. In some areas, that describes what I'm doing pretty well. Selectively, for product lines which experienced blatantly opportunistic price increases. Snack foods, breads and soft drinks come to mind. All things I can do without, and refuse to be taken for a...

This, to me, is the bigger question. If there's life out there, is it similar to life here, and if not, how different? It's hard to imagine that we're the only life in the universe, just looking at the numbers and the fact that we're made of the most common elements in the universe. It's hard...

First one is easy. We were in a race with the Soviets back then. Money was no object. They mostly used existing (if very new) technology and invented solutions to the immediate problems. I have no problem believing there are people who are a lot smarter than I. Why are we going back now? Beside...

Maybe, but one thing we can be sure of is that if the government did know anything, someone would leak it.

Very true. And it's also true those who can justify that decision are in the minority. I do see some who aren't in a position to BTD take that attitude, thinking they "deserve" it. Kinda sad. And, yes, maybe I do act somewhat on principle. I have been through difficult times financially, and I...

Yes. That's why it's frustrating to see and hear so many people say they pay no attention to prices, haven't changed their purchasing habits due to inflation, and generally take a "money is no object" attitude. We vote with our wallets. Just because I can afford something, doesn't mean I'm...

I'm calling BS on this. I don't often shop at Target, but I'm going out on a limb and saying they're going to do what all the other retailers do. That is, after jacking up prices as high as they dared during the inflation spike, they've discovered that they may have overshot in a some cases. I...