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Free Shipping: Delivery Robots Will Redefine Meaning of Objects

2 points by longdefeat 8y ago

gwbas1c 8y ago
> Items robotically transferred from one home to another might not need to pass through any central distribution facility; the system could potentially resemble a torrenting network, only one that was not reliant on “pirated” materials. Oh gosh no. I want a neutral 3rd party checking each item. Otherwise, scam artists will take advantage of a system like this. For example, ever buy something from a 3rd party seller on Amazon, only to find out that it's just someone who places the order from a different large online retailer and sends it to your home? Returns then become a nightmare. (Amazon never acknowledges how much egg this places on their face.) I could easily envision someone using a technique like this to resell items that are more worn than indicated, or knock-offs.
gwbas1c 8y ago
> Established habits of brand loyalty that once indirectly helped automate consumer decision-making might become less relevant once shopping becomes literally automatic. The panoply of generic brands and products available through Amazon’s standard shopping interface already points to this. Brands that remain relevant would likely be good at maintaining and updating their circulating products rather than inventing them. I would say that just misunderstands brand loyalty. In this case, the brand loyalty is to Amazon instead of a specific manufacturer. In the proposed situation, brand loyalty will probably be to the rental network instead of the tool manufacturer.
gwbas1c 8y ago
> The automation of physical space may take away the consistent reassurances which our belongings have traditionally given us, just as many of our hours may seem to have already been “lost” while staring at illuminated rectangles. Life within a world of constantly circulating goods could make their physical presence more closely resemble the persistence of the refreshing screen. But that change may only make the kinds of hands-on experiences which we tend to already seek and share on social media seem even more reassuring. The experience of watching a plant grow or a candle burn down with the passage of time might leave a more vivid memory than we can now possibly imagine, if our things themselves begin to seem less real in a world where they no longer collect any dust. Actually, I suspect that this will make personal possessions much more prized. If something is so important that I choose to own it instead of rent it, I must really value it. Look at the resurgence in vinyl record ownership. I mostly stream my music through a streaming service that costs less per month than a typical vinyl record; but if I really love a piece of music, I pay dearly for the physical copy. The same could be said for things that I use on a daily basis, or value enough to own. For example, I might pay a high price for a premium screwdriver and drill set, but rent the the specialty tools that I will only use once or infrequently. But, one more thing to consider: This might increase the quality of consumer goods. Something that's built to a price-point now would need to be built for high durability. I see this as win-win!

2 points by longdefeat 8y ago

> Items robotically transferred from one home to another might not need to pass through any central distribution facility; the system could potentially resemble a torrenting network, only one that was not reliant on “pirated” materials. Oh gosh no. I want a neutral 3rd party checking each item. Otherwise, scam artists will take advantage of a system like this. For example, ever buy something from a 3rd party seller on Amazon, only to find out that it's just someone who places the order from a different large online retailer and sends it to your home? Returns then become a nightmare. (Amazon never acknowledges how much egg this places on their face.) I could easily envision someone using a technique like this to resell items that are more worn than indicated, or knock-offs.

gwbas1c 8y ago

> Established habits of brand loyalty that once indirectly helped automate consumer decision-making might become less relevant once shopping becomes literally automatic. The panoply of generic brands and products available through Amazon’s standard shopping interface already points to this. Brands that remain relevant would likely be good at maintaining and updating their circulating products rather than inventing them. I would say that just misunderstands brand loyalty. In this case, the brand loyalty is to Amazon instead of a specific manufacturer. In the proposed situation, brand loyalty will probably be to the rental network instead of the tool manufacturer.

gwbas1c 8y ago

> The automation of physical space may take away the consistent reassurances which our belongings have traditionally given us, just as many of our hours may seem to have already been “lost” while staring at illuminated rectangles. Life within a world of constantly circulating goods could make their physical presence more closely resemble the persistence of the refreshing screen. But that change may only make the kinds of hands-on experiences which we tend to already seek and share on social media seem even more reassuring. The experience of watching a plant grow or a candle burn down with the passage of time might leave a more vivid memory than we can now possibly imagine, if our things themselves begin to seem less real in a world where they no longer collect any dust. Actually, I suspect that this will make personal possessions much more prized. If something is so important that I choose to own it instead of rent it, I must really value it. Look at the resurgence in vinyl record ownership. I mostly stream my music through a streaming service that costs less per month than a typical vinyl record; but if I really love a piece of music, I pay dearly for the physical copy. The same could be said for things that I use on a daily basis, or value enough to own. For example, I might pay a high price for a premium screwdriver and drill set, but rent the the specialty tools that I will only use once or infrequently. But, one more thing to consider: This might increase the quality of consumer goods. Something that's built to a price-point now would need to be built for high durability. I see this as win-win!