3 ms·

Affordable hi-tech is one of the results of stagnant salaries, isn't it? People have same salaries but can afford supercomputer with a great camera in their po

Affordable hi-tech is one of the results of stagnant salaries, isn't it? People have same salaries but can afford supercomputer with a great camera in their pocket. I could only dream about it in 2000.

theandrewbailey 8y ago
A supercomputer in your pocket doesn't put food on the table, or fix the car, or reduce crime in your neighborhood, or make sure there isn't lead in your water...
- daliusd 8y ago
  Really? You start navigation and go straight to your place. You do not get lost and do not waste fuel. Here you saved some money for food, fixing your car (oh yes, you are driving less so less to fix), you maybe even have avoided shady area with help of navigation and BTW you have reduced lead in your water by driving less most probably. And I have covered only one minor thing supercomputer in your pocket does.
- 3princip 8y ago
  Perhaps not, but it does allow you to learn to grow your own food and fix your own car, and all manner of other things. Most people use it for entertainment but we really are spoiled with the amount of information at our fingertips. The good will of professionals sharing their know-how online has helped my career grow and made me much more self-sufficient in other areas. Tangentially regarding wage growth, sure growing some of my food or fixing my car is a net-loss in terms of potential earnings because of the invested time, it's well worth it in other respects. Also, developed countries have a pretty good standard of living already. Needless consumption is a greater problem IMO.
  - petermcneeley 8y ago
    "grow your own food" If you believe in commonly accepted economic thinking like efficiency of large scale production and comparative advantage and specialization, then you must conclude growing your own food does not make economic sense.
- hshehehjdjdjd 8y ago
  Food and water are pretty cheap these days in advanced countries. Very few people have trouble getting enough of them. Similarly, crime has been plummeting in most areas during the measured period. Lead in water is also a rare problem to have these days, Flint MI notwithstanding. The main cost issues today are healthcare, education, and housing.
jcadam 8y ago
The novelty has worn off; I'd rather have the money.
- bkohlmann 8y ago
  Fortunately, you can. Instead of buying the latest widget, you can choose to save the money.
  - paulddraper 8y ago
    This is the power of free markets.
  - adgasf 8y ago
    I think the point being made is: - People on average have less disposable incoming due to rising costs of housing, education and healthcare. - Some goods (e.g. computers) have gotten dramatically cheaper in the last 20 years. So you can save a little by not having the latest products and services, but it is insignificant compared to the overall financial challenges people face. [1] [1] https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/16/avocados-own-house-baby-boomer-millennials-deposit-brunch https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/16/avocad...
    - jcadam 8y ago
      > I think the point being made is: > ... Exactly, thank you :)

theandrewbailey 8y ago

A supercomputer in your pocket doesn't put food on the table, or fix the car, or reduce crime in your neighborhood, or make sure there isn't lead in your water...

daliusd 8y ago
Really? You start navigation and go straight to your place. You do not get lost and do not waste fuel. Here you saved some money for food, fixing your car (oh yes, you are driving less so less to fix), you maybe even have avoided shady area with help of navigation and BTW you have reduced lead in your water by driving less most probably. And I have covered only one minor thing supercomputer in your pocket does.
3princip 8y ago
Perhaps not, but it does allow you to learn to grow your own food and fix your own car, and all manner of other things. Most people use it for entertainment but we really are spoiled with the amount of information at our fingertips. The good will of professionals sharing their know-how online has helped my career grow and made me much more self-sufficient in other areas. Tangentially regarding wage growth, sure growing some of my food or fixing my car is a net-loss in terms of potential earnings because of the invested time, it's well worth it in other respects. Also, developed countries have a pretty good standard of living already. Needless consumption is a greater problem IMO.
- petermcneeley 8y ago
  "grow your own food" If you believe in commonly accepted economic thinking like efficiency of large scale production and comparative advantage and specialization, then you must conclude growing your own food does not make economic sense.
hshehehjdjdjd 8y ago
Food and water are pretty cheap these days in advanced countries. Very few people have trouble getting enough of them. Similarly, crime has been plummeting in most areas during the measured period. Lead in water is also a rare problem to have these days, Flint MI notwithstanding. The main cost issues today are healthcare, education, and housing.

jcadam 8y ago

The novelty has worn off; I'd rather have the money.

bkohlmann 8y ago
Fortunately, you can. Instead of buying the latest widget, you can choose to save the money.
- paulddraper 8y ago
  This is the power of free markets.
- adgasf 8y ago
  I think the point being made is: - People on average have less disposable incoming due to rising costs of housing, education and healthcare. - Some goods (e.g. computers) have gotten dramatically cheaper in the last 20 years. So you can save a little by not having the latest products and services, but it is insignificant compared to the overall financial challenges people face. [1] [1] https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/16/avocados-own-house-baby-boomer-millennials-deposit-brunch https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/16/avocad...
  - jcadam 8y ago
    > I think the point being made is: > ... Exactly, thank you :)