Author Topic: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill  (Read 10138 times)

Malaysia41

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I enjoyed this article by Jessica Pressler:  http://nymag.com/news/features/laundry-apps-2014-5/

She hits many high notes including this: "the high test-scorers and mathematically inclined, have taken the knowledge acquired at our most august institutions and applied themselves to solving increasingly minor First World problems."

From a marketing perspective this model seems effective.  From a FIRE perspective this model is of course horrifying.  I wonder, if I worked at Washio, standing in the all hands meeting, how would I feel?  Would I be fired up to increase profits with gimmicks, or would I feel my soul crushing as I take my part in powering the hedonistic treadmill?  IDK.  Probably the former.  I'd be into making the $.

slugline

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2014, 10:19:00 AM »
I think the worst part was where they mentioned that the actual laundry workers weren't considered part of the team that was invited to the social gatherings.

strider3700

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2014, 11:15:11 AM »
There is a thread about who has antimustachian jobs in off topic somewhere.    Many of us are in it for the money. 

senecando

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2014, 11:44:33 AM »
Quote
“It stems from Disney, which called everyone a cast member,” explains Metzner, in his stonery-didactic way.

So great. This whole thing is so great and these people (the dudes running it) are just unreal.

Quote
“It’s a bonding event for Washio-as-­culture,” he goes on. “It’s good press. And it’s useful because it makes it easier for our customers. You know, because people always have things they want to donate to Goodwill, but then you have to go, and you have to organize it, and you have this bag sitting around forever—” He catches himself and laughs. “Actually, it’s not really that big a deal.”
« Last Edit: August 15, 2014, 11:47:03 AM by senecando »

Timmmy

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2014, 12:26:47 PM »
I enjoyed this article by Jessica Pressler:  http://nymag.com/news/features/laundry-apps-2014-5/

She hits many high notes including this: "the high test-scorers and mathematically inclined, have taken the knowledge acquired at our most august institutions and applied themselves to solving increasingly minor First World problems."

From a marketing perspective this model seems effective.  From a FIRE perspective this model is of course horrifying.  I wonder, if I worked at Washio, standing in the all hands meeting, how would I feel?  Would I be fired up to increase profits with gimmicks, or would I feel my soul crushing as I take my part in powering the hedonistic treadmill?  IDK.  Probably the former.  I'd be into making the $.

You're going to have your dry cleaning delivered to you?

Being around stupid consumeristic gimmicks doesn't mean that you have to use them, embrace them or even like them.  Not everyone has the same priorities as Mustachians and that is quite alright.  In fact, I'm not disagreeing with MMM and his post about "What if everyone became Mustachian?" but, I firmly believe that having large amounts of consumer suckas out there actually makes it easier for me to FIRE. 

Malaysia41

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2014, 12:33:39 PM »
I enjoyed this article by Jessica Pressler:  http://nymag.com/news/features/laundry-apps-2014-5/

She hits many high notes including this: "the high test-scorers and mathematically inclined, have taken the knowledge acquired at our most august institutions and applied themselves to solving increasingly minor First World problems."

From a marketing perspective this model seems effective.  From a FIRE perspective this model is of course horrifying.  I wonder, if I worked at Washio, standing in the all hands meeting, how would I feel?  Would I be fired up to increase profits with gimmicks, or would I feel my soul crushing as I take my part in powering the hedonistic treadmill?  IDK.  Probably the former.  I'd be into making the $.

You're going to have your dry cleaning delivered to you?

Being around stupid consumeristic gimmicks doesn't mean that you have to use them, embrace them or even like them.  Not everyone has the same priorities as Mustachians and that is quite alright.  In fact, I'm not disagreeing with MMM and his post about "What if everyone became Mustachian?" but, I firmly believe that having large amounts of consumer suckas out there actually makes it easier for me to FIRE.

Agree - not everyone is mustachian and that is fine.  If I worked at Washio, I'd be right along with them coming up with any and every way to gimmick it up to bring in the profits and put money into my 'stache.  Any pangs in my stomach would be assuaged knowing that these are adults buying this service and they have every right to put their money whereever they want. 

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #6 on: August 15, 2014, 01:29:53 PM »
Yeah that's a lot of education and talent directed toward some pretty small minded crap.  But I disagree that such necessarily ought to be directed to help the third world.  The best solutions for the third world come from the third world.  Guys like these would just gin up culturally incompatible solutions that would be rejected by the natives in short order. 

An example of this type of "help" from Afghanistan.  US forces tried to improve relations with a village by installing a fresh water plumbing system - basically indoor or at least in the compound plumbing.  After completion it met with praise from the village elders.  Then it was sabotaged.  Investigations revealed the culprits were: the village women.  Going to the communal laundry well, fountain, river, whatever was the only social outlet the village girls and women had. In an aggressively and grotesquely patriarchal society this was a big deal.  So the plumbing had to go.

MoneyCat

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #7 on: August 15, 2014, 01:41:46 PM »
At one time, in my pre-Mustachian days, I actually paid for wash and fold services.  Looking back, I just want to smack myself because it was such a massive waste of money.  Laundromats in general are a waste of money, but at the time I had no idea how easy it would have been to get the equipment to just wash and dry my laundry at home even in an apartment with no hook-ups.  That's why things like "Washio" happen.  It is laziness combined with lack of knowledge.

Honestly, though, I think the tide is beginning to turn against this pointless "app craze" that swept America.  We are going to see a second Tech Bubble pop and a lot of people are going to be out of a lot of money just like 1999 all over again.

pdxbator

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #8 on: August 15, 2014, 02:53:16 PM »
Honestly, though, I think the tide is beginning to turn against this pointless "app craze" that swept America.  We are going to see a second Tech Bubble pop and a lot of people are going to be out of a lot of money just like 1999 all over again.

I agree 100%. Huge bubble being built and a part of me sort of relishes this idea (though my investments may not). The media will once again say no one expected this, how amazing, another bubble! Please! Another app that you download to your phone that allows you to alter pictures. Big whoop.

Elyse

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #9 on: August 18, 2014, 03:41:30 PM »
Huge bubble being built and a part of me sort of relishes this idea (though my investments may not).

I'd be excited!  Investments at a discount!
I guess I consider downturns as a challenge.  It is hard to tell when you are in so big of an upswing that your 'stashe isn't truly what you need.  If you were in an average year, saving 33x at the 3% rule would be enough.  But what if you are on a "good" year?  It is stupid to try to time the market, so you can't really tell if you are safe or not that way.  The moment you hit a crash and your 'stache still supports you, you know you really did it.

I know others have a different opinion on it than I do, but I'm a very paranoid person.  I want to be sure I don't have to go back to work once I'm out.

4alpacas

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #10 on: August 18, 2014, 05:21:02 PM »
At one time, in my pre-Mustachian days, I actually paid for wash and fold services.  Looking back, I just want to smack myself because it was such a massive waste of money.  Laundromats in general are a waste of money, but at the time I had no idea how easy it would have been to get the equipment to just wash and dry my laundry at home even in an apartment with no hook-ups.  That's why things like "Washio" happen.  It is laziness combined with lack of knowledge.


I've never used a wash and fold place, but this made me think of the subscription service for quarters (http://time.com/money/2905186/finally-a-subscription-service-for-quarters-to-do-laundry/).  Luckily rationality prevailed, and the start-up went out of business.  I do feel bad for Washboard's #1 (and possibly only fan) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaK8AA5oTwg

I do pay for dry cleaning services a few times per year.  I used to work at a place that had discounted dry cleaning with pick-up and delivery.  It was amazing.  Now I have to reach a critical mass of clothing or having an upcoming conference. 


dragoncar

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #11 on: August 18, 2014, 06:12:01 PM »
At one time, in my pre-Mustachian days, I actually paid for wash and fold services.  Looking back, I just want to smack myself because it was such a massive waste of money.  Laundromats in general are a waste of money, but at the time I had no idea how easy it would have been to get the equipment to just wash and dry my laundry at home even in an apartment with no hook-ups.  That's why things like "Washio" happen.  It is laziness combined with lack of knowledge.

Honestly, though, I think the tide is beginning to turn against this pointless "app craze" that swept America.  We are going to see a second Tech Bubble pop and a lot of people are going to be out of a lot of money just like 1999 all over again.

I had the opposite thought.  I also used to pay for wash and fold services when I lived in an apartment without laundry.  The wash and fold was cheap enough that I actually saved money compared to doing my own laundry, and I didn't have to rent a more expensive place.

kite

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #12 on: August 22, 2014, 06:52:03 AM »
Hysterical.  Laundry is just not that complicated.
We wash, then put things straight onto hangers where they stay until they get worn. 
I recognize there is a certain demographic who thinks of themselves as above all that, and these guys are hoping to capitalize on that niche market.   But Revel had the same idea and boat sellers really suffered in the downturn. 

eyePod

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #13 on: August 22, 2014, 09:51:57 AM »
I think the worst part was where they mentioned that the actual laundry workers weren't considered part of the team that was invited to the social gatherings.

eh, they don't work for the company. They work for the laundry company that is contracted to clean the clothes.

dragoncar

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #14 on: August 22, 2014, 10:12:38 AM »
Hysterical.  Laundry is just not that complicated.


Wrong, it's, like, a whole thing

kittystache

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #15 on: September 04, 2014, 11:48:37 AM »
At one time, in my pre-Mustachian days, I actually paid for wash and fold services.  Looking back, I just want to smack myself because it was such a massive waste of money.  Laundromats in general are a waste of money, but at the time I had no idea how easy it would have been to get the equipment to just wash and dry my laundry at home even in an apartment with no hook-ups.  That's why things like "Washio" happen.  It is laziness combined with lack of knowledge.

Honestly, though, I think the tide is beginning to turn against this pointless "app craze" that swept America.  We are going to see a second Tech Bubble pop and a lot of people are going to be out of a lot of money just like 1999 all over again.

I had the opposite thought.  I also used to pay for wash and fold services when I lived in an apartment without laundry.  The wash and fold was cheap enough that I actually saved money compared to doing my own laundry, and I didn't have to rent a more expensive place.

This.  I used to have to haul my clothing 4 floors to pay approximately $8 per load.  Wha??? Wash and fold was less expensive for sure.

4alpacas

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #16 on: September 04, 2014, 12:14:11 PM »
At one time, in my pre-Mustachian days, I actually paid for wash and fold services.  Looking back, I just want to smack myself because it was such a massive waste of money.  Laundromats in general are a waste of money, but at the time I had no idea how easy it would have been to get the equipment to just wash and dry my laundry at home even in an apartment with no hook-ups.  That's why things like "Washio" happen.  It is laziness combined with lack of knowledge.

Honestly, though, I think the tide is beginning to turn against this pointless "app craze" that swept America.  We are going to see a second Tech Bubble pop and a lot of people are going to be out of a lot of money just like 1999 all over again.

I had the opposite thought.  I also used to pay for wash and fold services when I lived in an apartment without laundry.  The wash and fold was cheap enough that I actually saved money compared to doing my own laundry, and I didn't have to rent a more expensive place.

This.  I used to have to haul my clothing 4 floors to pay approximately $8 per load.  Wha??? Wash and fold was less expensive for sure.
Wow!  I paid $2/load ($1 wash, $1 dry) when I lived in an apartment with coin laundry.  I actually preferred it.  I could do ALL of my laundry in two hours (and take up all of the machines).  Now I spend hours at home on the weekends trying to get it all done. 

Timmmy

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #17 on: September 04, 2014, 12:21:49 PM »
At one time, in my pre-Mustachian days, I actually paid for wash and fold services.  Looking back, I just want to smack myself because it was such a massive waste of money.  Laundromats in general are a waste of money, but at the time I had no idea how easy it would have been to get the equipment to just wash and dry my laundry at home even in an apartment with no hook-ups.  That's why things like "Washio" happen.  It is laziness combined with lack of knowledge.

Honestly, though, I think the tide is beginning to turn against this pointless "app craze" that swept America.  We are going to see a second Tech Bubble pop and a lot of people are going to be out of a lot of money just like 1999 all over again.

I had the opposite thought.  I also used to pay for wash and fold services when I lived in an apartment without laundry.  The wash and fold was cheap enough that I actually saved money compared to doing my own laundry, and I didn't have to rent a more expensive place.

This.  I used to have to haul my clothing 4 floors to pay approximately $8 per load.  Wha??? Wash and fold was less expensive for sure.
Wow!  I paid $2/load ($1 wash, $1 dry) when I lived in an apartment with coin laundry.  I actually preferred it.  I could do ALL of my laundry in two hours (and take up all of the machines).  Now I spend hours at home on the weekends trying to get it all done.

I'll never understand this approach to laundry.  DW has the laundry event about once every 10-14 days.  Before I got married (I'm no longer allowed to use the washer or dryer), I'd just throw a load in the washer whenever convenient.  And then move it along whenever convenient.  Laundry wasn't an event I just worked it in to my normal activities and it was always in progress.  Obviously if you are using shared laundry space then you can't leave it lingering. 

dragoncar

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #18 on: September 05, 2014, 10:56:14 AM »
At one time, in my pre-Mustachian days, I actually paid for wash and fold services.  Looking back, I just want to smack myself because it was such a massive waste of money.  Laundromats in general are a waste of money, but at the time I had no idea how easy it would have been to get the equipment to just wash and dry my laundry at home even in an apartment with no hook-ups.  That's why things like "Washio" happen.  It is laziness combined with lack of knowledge.

Honestly, though, I think the tide is beginning to turn against this pointless "app craze" that swept America.  We are going to see a second Tech Bubble pop and a lot of people are going to be out of a lot of money just like 1999 all over again.

I had the opposite thought.  I also used to pay for wash and fold services when I lived in an apartment without laundry.  The wash and fold was cheap enough that I actually saved money compared to doing my own laundry, and I didn't have to rent a more expensive place.

This.  I used to have to haul my clothing 4 floors to pay approximately $8 per load.  Wha??? Wash and fold was less expensive for sure.
Wow!  I paid $2/load ($1 wash, $1 dry) when I lived in an apartment with coin laundry.  I actually preferred it.  I could do ALL of my laundry in two hours (and take up all of the machines).  Now I spend hours at home on the weekends trying to get it all done.

I'll never understand this approach to laundry.  DW has the laundry event about once every 10-14 days.  Before I got married (I'm no longer allowed to use the washer or dryer), I'd just throw a load in the washer whenever convenient.  And then move it along whenever convenient.  Laundry wasn't an event I just worked it in to my normal activities and it was always in progress.  Obviously if you are using shared laundry space then you can't leave it lingering.

Yeah, I just do a load when I have... one load's worth.  I don't even have enough clothes to fill 2 laundry machines.

edit: I don't have enough street clothes.  My work clothes are mostly dry-clean only although I admit I rarely do.

MandalayVA

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #19 on: September 05, 2014, 11:17:41 AM »
Yeah, I just do a load when I have... one load's worth.  I don't even have enough clothes to fill 2 laundry machines.

I used to let laundry pile up, but now when my basket is filled in it goes.  Makes life much easier.

4alpacas

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #20 on: September 09, 2014, 01:20:13 PM »
I have a lot of clothes.  WAY too many.  I'm working on trimming my wardrobe down to a manageable amount.

Dry clean only clothes are the worst!  I hand wash some items depending on material type, but I hate paying for dry cleaning.

Emilyngh

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Re: An 'epic shit-ton of digital flotsam' on the hedonistic treadmill
« Reply #21 on: September 09, 2014, 02:54:01 PM »
I have a lot of clothes.  WAY too many.  I'm working on trimming my wardrobe down to a manageable amount.

Dry clean only clothes are the worst!  I hand wash some items depending on material type, but I hate paying for dry cleaning.

I highly recommend checking out project 333 for inspiration regarding pairing down clothing: http://theproject333.com/about/

I tried following it for 3 months, thinking I'd be hard, but I'd learn something that I could maybe adjust.   I've been doing it ever since and it has made my life easier, made me dress better and feel like I have better clothing, and has made it easier and more fun to get dressed in the morning.   

I do not dry clean other than 1-2 suits I wear every 5-10 years for a job interview.   Otherwise, it all gets washed in the washer.   If it seems delicate, I'll make sure it goes in with a tap cold load (most of our loads anyway), and then we air dry everything anyway.   Most of the time "dry clean only" survives this just fine.   If it does not?   Well, then it wouldn't have been worth keeping, so no loss that it's ruined.