Comments on: Choices, So Many Choices http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/05/15/choices-so-many-choices/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:59:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: GoldenAppleCorp http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/05/15/choices-so-many-choices/#comment-30 GoldenAppleCorp Tue, 16 May 2006 11:20:30 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/05/15/choices-so-many-choices/#comment-30 One thing that I find fascinating about the whole simplification movement (and yes, it is a movement, just check your local bookstore to find a whole section devoted) is that people (extra wealthy) are actually <i>paying</i> other people (slightly less wealthy) to come into their houses and make choices for them. For instance, there's a whole profession popping up of people who get paid (around $80/hr if I've heard right) to come into your house, look through your closets, ask questions, and tell you what to get rid of. Sign me up for that job. $80 <i>and</i> I get to tell rich bitches what to do? *faint* One thing that I find fascinating about the whole simplification movement (and yes, it is a movement, just check your local bookstore to find a whole section devoted) is that people (extra wealthy) are actually paying other people (slightly less wealthy) to come into their houses and make choices for them.
For instance, there’s a whole profession popping up of people who get paid (around $80/hr if I’ve heard right) to come into your house, look through your closets, ask questions, and tell you what to get rid of.
Sign me up for that job. $80 and I get to tell rich bitches what to do?
*faint*

]]> By: Atomictumor http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/05/15/choices-so-many-choices/#comment-31 Atomictumor Tue, 16 May 2006 11:28:29 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/05/15/choices-so-many-choices/#comment-31 What a deal, you tell me what to do for free! What a deal, you tell me what to do for free!

]]> By: The Bosphorus http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/05/15/choices-so-many-choices/#comment-33 The Bosphorus Tue, 16 May 2006 12:25:58 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/05/15/choices-so-many-choices/#comment-33 It's funny what work people will outsource. You know I can't quite put my finger on it, but there seems to be a paternalism underlying this article I've referenced. It's most obvious to me in that quote about fighting for choice. I still don't know that increasing quantity of choice, even if it's an increase of quality choice, is necessarily a positive thing. Of course, the author would probably reply that a person should have access to those choices, then be left alone to choose for him or herself. It’s funny what work people will outsource.

You know I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there seems to be a paternalism underlying this article I’ve referenced. It’s most obvious to me in that quote about fighting for choice. I still don’t know that increasing quantity of choice, even if it’s an increase of quality choice, is necessarily a positive thing. Of course, the author would probably reply that a person should have access to those choices, then be left alone to choose for him or herself.

]]> By: GoldenAppleCorp http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/05/15/choices-so-many-choices/#comment-34 GoldenAppleCorp Tue, 16 May 2006 13:02:24 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/05/15/choices-so-many-choices/#comment-34 I know a lot of people, (myself included), who instinctively shut down when presented with too many options. Not many people would choose to live in a country where we have limited or even no choices, but presenting too many choices is also potentially harmful. The internet only magnifies this issue. In a normal town setting, supply and demand would eventually weed out the less appealing choices. But introduce a computer and the possibilities are virtually endless. I know a lot of people, (myself included), who instinctively shut down when presented with too many options. Not many people would choose to live in a country where we have limited or even no choices, but presenting too many choices is also potentially harmful.
The internet only magnifies this issue. In a normal town setting, supply and demand would eventually weed out the less appealing choices. But introduce a computer and the possibilities are virtually endless.

]]> By: Atomictumor http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/05/15/choices-so-many-choices/#comment-37 Atomictumor Tue, 16 May 2006 16:47:17 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/05/15/choices-so-many-choices/#comment-37 Devils Advocate: Is not the introduction of multiple choices a way of evolving as a society? Devils Advocate:
Is not the introduction of multiple choices a way of evolving as a society?

]]> By: The Bosphorus http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/05/15/choices-so-many-choices/#comment-54 The Bosphorus Fri, 19 May 2006 00:58:40 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/05/15/choices-so-many-choices/#comment-54 Possibly, though I tend to see "Choice" as you see voting and politics, AT. Choice, more often than not, is a pacifier. A distraction. We spend a lot of time deciding on which calling plan to buy, which computer is the best, or even which news source is best. Choice is today's opiate of the people. I'd say that choice is value neutral until you put it in the context of a system of values. If you think buying organic is best, then you're going to choose to sacrifice the wallyworld convenience for something like Earth Fare or a food co-op. Is a choice good, or bad--depends on the end to be achieved. Possibly, though I tend to see “Choice” as you see voting and politics, AT. Choice, more often than not, is a pacifier. A distraction. We spend a lot of time deciding on which calling plan to buy, which computer is the best, or even which news source is best. Choice is today’s opiate of the people.

I’d say that choice is value neutral until you put it in the context of a system of values. If you think buying organic is best, then you’re going to choose to sacrifice the wallyworld convenience for something like Earth Fare or a food co-op. Is a choice good, or bad–depends on the end to be achieved.

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