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A Dumb Consumer

There goes my self-image as a smart consumer. Never again will I ridicule the dummies silly geese hip/cool/sexy/smart people who buy Apple products, $43,000 pickup trucks, motorhomes, seldom-used boats, etc. I just got back from a 35 minute (one-way) walk from downtown in a pair of Keen "shoes". It felt like I walked home in my stocking feet. When they wear out I'll replace them with $25 sneakers from Walmart.

How did those outdoor-equipment stores ever convince me to spend $100 for these lousy Keens? They're just over-priced house slippers.

Comments

Unknown said…
This doesn't make you a dumb consumer, but potentially an unsavvy one -- only if you don't return the shoes and at least get an in-store credit though.

As to calling someone "dumb" for preferring a certain brand of computer, now THAT'S dumb. Disclosure -- I own a Mac, and spent not too terribly south of $43k on my RV. And I'd do it all over again.
Mr. Glenn, I guess I was thinking of Class A motorhomes. Sounds like you got a good deal.

An early retiree has a serious job of being a smarter consumer than the average guy; if not, then he can look forward to retiring at the standard age, when health and vitality are already on the slippery slope.

"Being smarter" means learning to laugh off the marketing hype of corporations. Apple has been called the world's best vertically-integrated advertising agency. The "walled garden" that it traps consumers in is bad for the consumers.
Bob said…
I'll take my imac anyday. I bought it used for $400. Put $100. into it. 21.5" widescreen, Intel i5 processor, 4GB ram, no virus problems, things just work.
Bob, oh dear, I see I'm going to catch hell for insulting a Deity (Apple Computer Corp.).(grin) Well, it's not that I don't want people to be pleased with their iGadgets.

But my Deity is maximum bang for the buck, minimum overhead, and early retirement. Buying Apple wizz-bangs violates my principles.
Unknown said…
On the contrary, we're not giving you hell for insulting a Deity, we're giving you hell for insulting us. Your words: "the dummies who buy Apple products."
Dear Dumbs**t,
Now you've pissed off most the intelligentsia that subscribes to your drivel. If all you want and need is a word processor and web surfer, then go ahead and buy a PC and load it down with 18 layers of speed eating virus protection and wait 15 minutes for it to start up every time you want to use it.

But if you want a machine that is fast, reliable, rated among the best and comes with everything on it, from a professional music recording studio to a professional video editing studio... then buy a mac.
:))
mark
Natasha said…
Just found your blog and discovered how dumb I am. I'm typing on my mac while sitting in my motorhome. And guess what's on my feet? You got it.

How will I ever find my way back here? I'm just such a silly goose.
Natasha and Box Canyon,
Whenever I discuss a tangible detail like a product, it is just because it's the thing that got me going on a certain topic. It's topics and issues that I really care about. Besides, details depend on individual circumstances and aren't worth discussing.

Do you want me to start off every sentence with diplomatic disclaimers like: "It seems to be the case, at least for me, and at least some of the time, that such and such is perhaps true?"
Anonymous said…
Hmmmmmmm! I've read all the comments here.... I have a PC and now I am thinking of buying a Mac. (Gosh! am I stupid?) Scamp
All the comments about Macs are just a testament to how people's thoughts are centered around boob toob commercials.

Rather than spend $1000 on the electrical appliance known as a computer, you could spend $100 on a pair of blue jeans and a black turtleneck, and feel just as hip and cool as spending the thousand.
Unknown said…
My guess is that most of us don't own a computer to feel "hip and cool." I guess some do, but there are those of us whose livelihood is actually made possible by it. No way I could do the work I do without one, and for the type of work I do, Macs are the superior choice.