Random thoughts that are pointless and too dumb to say anywhere else thread: 2020

[AKCheesehead]

Not often, but occasionally I cannot find what I am searching for online and I find myself wishing they still made actual phone books.

[Thurston Fluff]

Not often, but occasionally I cannot find what I am searching for online and I find myself wishing they still made actual phone books.

]

 

They still make them. Problem is the font is so small the few people who might use it are too old to be able to read it.

[LouisEly]

I've been souring on watching the news, but I am starting to enjoy The News with Shepard Smith on CNBC at 6pm. Actually informative, not sensational, real news, and a little humor mixed in.

[CheezWizHed]

Not often, but occasionally I cannot find what I am searching for online and I find myself wishing they still made actual phone books.

]

 

They still make them. Problem is the font is so small the few people who might use it are too old to be able to read it.

 

That is what they make smartphones for... you take a picture and zoom in.... so I've heard.

[AKCheesehead]

Out here they quit making phone books about 7 years ago I believe.

 

I’ve heard similar tales about the phone zoom trick. Speaking of which I’ve been considering how to get a set of readers when I’m unable to get anywhere to try them out and see what works for me. I mean, in theory that is.

[CheezWizHed]

Out here they quit making phone books about 7 years ago I believe.

 

I’ve heard similar tales about the phone zoom trick. Speaking of which I’ve been considering how to get a set of readers when I’m unable to get anywhere to try them out and see what works for me. I mean, in theory that is.

 

I have a friend that went to Walmart and tried on a couple pair to figure out what strength worked for him. Then ordered a set of 4 from Amazon in that strength. He wishes he got progressive lenses though so he doesn't have to pull them down when going from near to far. So he told me.

 

If you can't get out at all, I'd just order a cheap pair of +1.0 and +1.25 strength to see how it goes. My friend ended up at +1.5. He was stubborn and ignored it for a while.

[Samurai Bucky]

I know this probably should go on a political board, but...

 

$14 Billion sold on political ads this year. 14 freaking billion dollars! Lots of people could be fed, housed, etc. with that type of money.

 

Perhaps if I say it in a Jim Mora voice (playoffs?), it would be less frustrating.

[CheezWizHed]

Certainly that is a ton of money, but it isn't as if the money "disappears" either. People are paid to make those ads, update websites, create TV programming, make signs... it does create jobs. I could still deal with a lot LESS of it, however...

[Jimbo]

I know this probably should go on a political board, but...

 

$14 Billion sold on political ads this year. 14 freaking billion dollars! Lots of people could be fed, housed, etc. with that type of money.

 

I read somewhere yesterday that of the people who voted, 85% had their minds made up...two years ago. All that money to persuade so few people.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I know this probably should go on a political board, but...

 

$14 Billion sold on political ads this year. 14 freaking billion dollars! Lots of people could be fed, housed, etc. with that type of money.

 

I read somewhere yesterday that of the people who voted, 85% had their minds made up...two years ago. All that money to persuade so few people.

 

Wisconsin was decided by 24,000 votes in 2016, and it's looking like it's going to be a similar margin this time around. Less than a percentage point. Don't underestimate the power that those few people hold.

[GAME05]

That does make me wonder if going forward there may be more novel ways in which the money will be spent. It's not only more money for a shrinking pool of undecided voters, but fewer people are watching traditional network TV to see the ads, too. I can't say I was much swayed by all the text messages I got, either. Maybe Ross Perot was way ahead of his time and the paid 30-minute lectures will be the better way to go.

[FVBrewerFan]

Nobody thinks advertising "works" on them. But there's a reason people want Coke, or Bud Light, or Gruber. We did taste tests many years ago for a college marketing course, and one test was colas. Walmart brand won, RC was in 2nd, then Coke and Pepsi. Similar results with other name brands.

 

With politics, it's not all about changing your mind. It's about getting you revved up enough to actually vote. Better yet, get you to volunteer for the campaign, or put up a yard sign, tell others to vote etc. That said, yea it's a ridiculous amount of money spent, but there's no turning back now.

[owbc]

Most advertising dollars are spent on products with where there is little difference between the choices and a relatively high profit margin. Soda, light beer, automobiles, household items, insurance, and communications providers.

[CheezWizHed]

That does make me wonder if going forward there may be more novel ways in which the money will be spent. It's not only more money for a shrinking pool of undecided voters, but fewer people are watching traditional network TV to see the ads, too. I can't say I was much swayed by all the text messages I got, either. Maybe Ross Perot was way ahead of his time and the paid 30-minute lectures will be the better way to go.

 

I had to stop listening to Pandora there were so many ads. My sons complained about the amount of ads on YouTube. Don't fool yourself that it is only TV ads.

[TURBO]

That does make me wonder if going forward there may be more novel ways in which the money will be spent. It's not only more money for a shrinking pool of undecided voters, but fewer people are watching traditional network TV to see the ads, too. I can't say I was much swayed by all the text messages I got, either. Maybe Ross Perot was way ahead of his time and the paid 30-minute lectures will be the better way to go.

 

I had to stop listening to Pandora there were so many ads. My sons complained about the amount of ads on YouTube. Don't fool yourself that it is only TV ads.

 

Spotify was pushing a lot of ads too, the underlying message was to vote for Biden, even though they didn't outright say it.

[tmwiese55]

I've thought about this a few times too. Besides what you all have said another thing I thought of is it prevents your competition from getting their name out too (talking about normal advertising, not politics). Such as, why does Coke/Pepsi need to bother advertising, they're too big to fail and everyone knows them. But them buying space blocks a competitor from getting space. I think back to Under Armour about 15 years ago when they bought pretty much every 1st rd pick in the NFL draft and pounded out their name in that draft. Who'd have thought someone could enter that competitive market but somehow they did it and now I'd guess they're the #2 after Nike (pure guess though). Puma tried a similar thing a couple years ago in the NBA draft to try and kick start their name again.

[MrTPlush]

Today I was left wondering how much old, but really valuable stuff is thrown out every day. I came across a pile of old Pokémon cards (still trying to figure out where they came from) and I casually checked a few interesting ones on eBay and I have already found a few worth $40+ a piece.

 

People are a little more aware of checking old things for value these days (especially with the internet), but I just imagine someone tossing a T206 Honus Wagner card in the garbage or some other old antique.

[owbc]

Today I was left wondering how much old, but really valuable stuff is thrown out every day. I came across a pile of old Pokémon cards (still trying to figure out where they came from) and I casually checked a few interesting ones on eBay and I have already found a few worth $40+ a piece.

 

People are a little more aware of checking old things for value these days (especially with the internet), but I just imagine someone tossing a T206 Honus Wagner card in the garbage or some other old antique.

 

Like most people raised in Wisconsin I have plenty of Midwestern frugalness in me, but I'm definitely not the kind of person who tries to extract value out of things I want to get rid of. If I'm in a purge mood it's going straight to the garbage or goodwill.

 

Funny you mention Pokemon cards because just last week my mother just asked me if I wanted a box of Magic the Gathering cards that have been gathering dust for a couple of decades. I told her to throw them out. I'm pretty sure they were worthless though, I had near zero interest in that game and had little more than a starter pack.

[nodakfan17]

Just this morning, I read the US advertising industry spends $500 per year for every person in the US.

[young guns]

Just this morning, I read the US advertising industry spends $500 per year for every person in the US.

Someone tell them they would be better off just giving me the cash

[BrewersSuperCollector]

Just this morning, I read the US advertising industry spends $500 per year for every person in the US.

 

I'm the type of person that will purposely not use a store or manufacturer out of spite if I get relentless advertising from them.

[tmwiese55]

Same. If I had a major legal issue need I would call whoever Gruber's competitor is just to spite him. Even if it takes more than one call.

[LouisEly]

Remember, advertising is the price you pay in order to get TV without subscribing.

[CheezWizHed]

Seems like more and more, subscribing still has ads. Remember when cable/satellite TV didn't have ads because you paid for it? Amazon prime has ads at the start of a show (though you can skip it). Hulu has a quasi-subscription level that still does ads.

[stoutdude04]

Seems like more and more, subscribing still has ads. Remember when cable/satellite TV didn't have ads because you paid for it? Amazon prime has ads at the start of a show (though you can skip it). Hulu has a quasi-subscription level that still does ads.

 

Part of why I don't use Hulu that much. It still feels like commercials too often(says the guy that still leaves basic cable on often).