Good looking things are not for everyone... just look around... right now. See? Paying for it is even less so.
However, fortunately there is a segment of folks that both appreciates it and can afford it. $2 for a cup of coffee is crazy to someone making a $1 a day. I'm sure you can work out the math regarding $30 for a cleverly shaped piece of aluminum.
@RainyDayInterns: If you want to throw your hard earned money away on something you can build functionally for a few bucks in this economy, then there's a whole other set of issues you need to contend with.
As for good looking, all you need is a little skill. Barring that, go ahead and spend 30 bucks on 2 dollars worth of materiel.
@Ryan Robinson: It's called deciding to not participate in 'this economy' or having a skill set that makes one worthwhile enough to not be laid off.
I know a lot of people who aren't effected by 'this economy' and that are more than happy to spend their money on consumer goods.
@thePrototype: That however is a bit of the point. You say they are more than happy to spend their money on consumer goods. I call it sad that they have lost or never possessed the skills to do something so simple.
There is something incredibly satisfying that the world of consumers is missing by buying everything. Its called a sense of accomplishment. And it's only getting worse, less and less people can do things because they all buy things.
Don't you find the lack of ability saddening? Using a computer is nice, but can they build or even assemble the desk the computer sits on?
I'm finding this entire thread extremely depressing. People coming to the defense of such a item (I shudder to call this a product) because of such rabid consumerism and the lack of any actual skill.
I give up. Everyone that continues to bash can do so, and the ability of society as a whole sinks a little more.
Congrats Sheep. I digress. You haven't won, I just don't want to keep fending off stupidty.
@Ryan Robinson: There are folks that make REALLY nice chopsticks out of metal, other make them out of cheap pieces of pine...both works as utensils.
$30 of paint can give you finger painting or a nice impressionist art. Clearly some prefer to pay more for the art.
BTW... from a cost of materials stand point, people are just worth a few bucks in chemical.
@RainyDayInterns: Right, but really nice chopsticks are hand fabricated. [carbonbasedlifestyle.com]
But is it art if its hidden from the end user?
And though materially speaking we're worth very little, the intrinsic value of life if priceless.
@Ryan Robinson: People do that everyday... it called convenience. Having a nice design to go along with it, priceless.
We do that every time we pay $2 for a $.05 cup of coffee or $.02 bottle of water.
The value is in the idea...not the cost of materials. One can buy a serviceable car for a 1/10th of the cost of Porsche. We bought the Porsche... [www.rainydaymagazine.com]
@RainyDayInterns: All things considered your blog looks interesting. but your links aren't links. So I haven't found you laser holders. Though I am curious. Here's my link to projects.
Project Round up page [blog.recklessphilosophers.com]
So a shelf for a computer that is placed in the worst possible place to be used while actually on the computer. Brilliant.
Some designers need to be shot.
@RainyDayInterns: I love how you guys resort to name calling and personal insults rather than thinking. Nicely shows the quality of your own mental processes.
Must be hard to live in there.
@MrBlahBlah: I would like to see a Gizmodo roundup of tech recycling options, because when I've tried to find them it's proven exceedingly difficult to a) find any, and b) know if they were legit.
@Chuck Reynolds: So it seems that for me the answer is simple - Staples or Best Buy. They both charge $10 to take larger stuff (computers/monitors/TVs), but Best Buy gives you a $10 gift card to offset.
Lesson: Take your electronics recycling to Best Buy and buy more needless gadgets.
@MrBlahBlah: In Ottawa we can dial 311 and get city information services. Dunno how many places have it so far but it's very handy for things like this.
@DrewComments2.0: Our city doesn't do electronics recycling but they keep track of who does. Also motor oil recycling, batteries, etc. They have a whole list.
It should probably be noted that most proper dumps in the US are carefully lined and sealed so that contaminants are highly unlikely to actually seep into the ground (or the bunnies). The danger is usually massively exaggerated by the media.
Also, that some recycling depots don't actually dispose of lead or other materials properly, and when they don't the situation can be significantly more hazardous in the long run (especially if they are shipping electronics stuff off to third world nations as their way of "recycling").
I'm not saying you shouldn't recycle your monitors - you absolutely should. But, you should make sure you know where it's going if possible, and do so for the right reasons.
Back in the day, the situation used to be that if you got word that the "rabbit died", you were getting married. Now you just leave the country or go on Maury.
08/11/09
08/11/09
However, fortunately there is a segment of folks that both appreciates it and can afford it. $2 for a cup of coffee is crazy to someone making a $1 a day. I'm sure you can work out the math regarding $30 for a cleverly shaped piece of aluminum.
08/11/09
As for good looking, all you need is a little skill. Barring that, go ahead and spend 30 bucks on 2 dollars worth of materiel.
08/11/09
I know a lot of people who aren't effected by 'this economy' and that are more than happy to spend their money on consumer goods.
08/11/09
There is something incredibly satisfying that the world of consumers is missing by buying everything. Its called a sense of accomplishment. And it's only getting worse, less and less people can do things because they all buy things.
Don't you find the lack of ability saddening? Using a computer is nice, but can they build or even assemble the desk the computer sits on?
I'm finding this entire thread extremely depressing. People coming to the defense of such a item (I shudder to call this a product) because of such rabid consumerism and the lack of any actual skill.
I give up. Everyone that continues to bash can do so, and the ability of society as a whole sinks a little more.
Congrats Sheep. I digress. You haven't won, I just don't want to keep fending off stupidty.
08/11/09
$30 of paint can give you finger painting or a nice impressionist art. Clearly some prefer to pay more for the art.
BTW... from a cost of materials stand point, people are just worth a few bucks in chemical.
08/11/09
[carbonbasedlifestyle.com]
But is it art if its hidden from the end user?
And though materially speaking we're worth very little, the intrinsic value of life if priceless.
08/11/09
We do that every time we pay $2 for a $.05 cup of coffee or $.02 bottle of water.
The value is in the idea...not the cost of materials. One can buy a serviceable car for a 1/10th of the cost of Porsche. We bought the Porsche...
[www.rainydaymagazine.com]
08/11/09
Convenience also equates to lazy and a waste of money.
Now if you have a workshop in that house then you'll impress me. If you actually use it you'll impress me more.
Otherwise, convenience = lazy waste of money. Porsche name dropping = showing off.
So essentially you'd rather be a lazy show off than a skilled person.
Gotcha.
08/11/09
$3 laser holder:
[www.rainydaymagazine.com]
$30 laser holder:
[www.rainydaymagazine.com]
08/11/09
Project Round up page
[blog.recklessphilosophers.com]
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Some designers need to be shot.
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Try again.
Cute cat btw.
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Must be hard to live in there.
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07/24/09
YOU BUNNY ASSASSIN!!
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Lesson: Take your electronics recycling to Best Buy and buy more needless gadgets.
07/24/09
07/24/09
We're lucky to get them to recycle paper in Philly.
07/25/09
07/23/09
Also, that some recycling depots don't actually dispose of lead or other materials properly, and when they don't the situation can be significantly more hazardous in the long run (especially if they are shipping electronics stuff off to third world nations as their way of "recycling").
I'm not saying you shouldn't recycle your monitors - you absolutely should. But, you should make sure you know where it's going if possible, and do so for the right reasons.
07/23/09
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