3 ms·

This falls into the "Doh! Why didn't I think of that!" category. It might not be earth shattering but it adds value for almost 0 manufacturing cost, and actuall

This falls into the "Doh! Why didn't I think of that!" category. It might not be earth shattering but it adds value for almost 0 manufacturing cost, and actually helps the environment a bit. I hope it catches on.

patio11 18y ago
It might not be earth shattering Capitalism is earth shattering -- new and improved pizza boxes are one (appreciated) cog in the machine. Imagine explaining this to a bewildered medieval peasant: "What manner of device is this?" "Oh, its a pizza box." "Pizza?" "Hot bread with cheese on it delivered directly to your door by servants." "So you are a noble?!" "No, I work at a bookstore. You look surprised." "A STORE IN WHICH YOU CAN BUY BOOKS?! But they're priceless! And you have enough people who can read them!" "Everybody reads these days. So yeah, this pizza box is special -- it folds neatly to fit in the trash." "Trash?" "Sigh This bin over here. For disposal of refuse!" "My goodness there is a lot of it!" "That's because I can afford food every day." "But isn't it heavy when you have to carry it to the midden heap?" "Midden heap? Oh, you mean landfill. People do that for me." "Again with the servants!"
- nazgulnarsil 18y ago
  this is precisely why socialists piss me right off. capitalism has made me a serf to the whims of the moneyed. really? pretty sure that was how it was before capitalism. In the modern age I can decide where I work, where I live, and how I spend my time away from work. Oh what's that? In socialism the government would decide all that for me to best maximize my productivity? What then, is the difference between those pesky nobles and the state? Nobles tell you what to do so that you will best serve noble interests. The state tells you what to do so that you will best serve state interests. socialism and communism are not new and they did not originate with Marx. It is the same old elitism that has been running since one ape decided that he was the alpha male and would decide what is best for the tribe. Communism is simply a reactionary form of elitism, reacting to the fact that humans have finally found a better way.
oldgregg 18y ago
Nobody will change their Pizza purchasing habits for a perforated box ERGO pizza stores will not pay a premium for a perforated box ERGO great idea, but it will never see the light of day BECAUSE it has a patent. If anything this is a good example of patent laws gone wrong. It has little to do with protecting and rewarding innovation, only protecting and rewarding corporations and other well healed individuals with patent lawyers.
- tontoa4 18y ago
  A smart startup would have low licensing fees to make it affordable. Maybe a few cents per box. Once one big company uses the idea to get new customers, chances are others will have to follow at the expense of not being a "green" company.
- mattmaroon 18y ago
  If nobody would buy it anyway, then how is the patent holding anyone back? It's just saving them from failure. If somebody would buy it, then this scrappy little startup has a chance. I'm not sure I agree with your first principle here though. The interesting thing about this box is that it has utility. Beyond being a "greener" option (I quote that because having your pizza delivered and then worrying about the environmental cost of paper plates seems to be like cutting off your toes and then worrying if you need to buy smaller shoes) it obviates the necessity of paper plates. And simply perforating a box may add very, very little extra cost.
- spoiledtechie 18y ago
  I would buy it. Im a vegitarian and when I buy vegitarian I choose to do so because it might save another cows life. Its good for humanity and life on this planet. I would buy the pizza box because it does exactly that. It helps humanity. If you think about it, the box prob only costs another 5 cents to make.
  - brent 18y ago
    On the website they actually claim it is at "NO ADDITIONAL EXPENSE" (caps are on website). So effectively it is free marketing opportunity for the company buying it at no additional expense to the buyer. Since the barrier to change (for the buyer to their box) is so low I have a hard time imagining some pizza shops doing this.

patio11 18y ago

It might not be earth shattering Capitalism is earth shattering -- new and improved pizza boxes are one (appreciated) cog in the machine. Imagine explaining this to a bewildered medieval peasant: "What manner of device is this?" "Oh, its a pizza box." "Pizza?" "Hot bread with cheese on it delivered directly to your door by servants." "So you are a noble?!" "No, I work at a bookstore. You look surprised." "A STORE IN WHICH YOU CAN BUY BOOKS?! But they're priceless! And you have enough people who can read them!" "Everybody reads these days. So yeah, this pizza box is special -- it folds neatly to fit in the trash." "Trash?" "Sigh This bin over here. For disposal of refuse!" "My goodness there is a lot of it!" "That's because I can afford food every day." "But isn't it heavy when you have to carry it to the midden heap?" "Midden heap? Oh, you mean landfill. People do that for me." "Again with the servants!"

nazgulnarsil 18y ago
this is precisely why socialists piss me right off. capitalism has made me a serf to the whims of the moneyed. really? pretty sure that was how it was before capitalism. In the modern age I can decide where I work, where I live, and how I spend my time away from work. Oh what's that? In socialism the government would decide all that for me to best maximize my productivity? What then, is the difference between those pesky nobles and the state? Nobles tell you what to do so that you will best serve noble interests. The state tells you what to do so that you will best serve state interests. socialism and communism are not new and they did not originate with Marx. It is the same old elitism that has been running since one ape decided that he was the alpha male and would decide what is best for the tribe. Communism is simply a reactionary form of elitism, reacting to the fact that humans have finally found a better way.

oldgregg 18y ago

Nobody will change their Pizza purchasing habits for a perforated box ERGO pizza stores will not pay a premium for a perforated box ERGO great idea, but it will never see the light of day BECAUSE it has a patent. If anything this is a good example of patent laws gone wrong. It has little to do with protecting and rewarding innovation, only protecting and rewarding corporations and other well healed individuals with patent lawyers.

tontoa4 18y ago
A smart startup would have low licensing fees to make it affordable. Maybe a few cents per box. Once one big company uses the idea to get new customers, chances are others will have to follow at the expense of not being a "green" company.
mattmaroon 18y ago
If nobody would buy it anyway, then how is the patent holding anyone back? It's just saving them from failure. If somebody would buy it, then this scrappy little startup has a chance. I'm not sure I agree with your first principle here though. The interesting thing about this box is that it has utility. Beyond being a "greener" option (I quote that because having your pizza delivered and then worrying about the environmental cost of paper plates seems to be like cutting off your toes and then worrying if you need to buy smaller shoes) it obviates the necessity of paper plates. And simply perforating a box may add very, very little extra cost.
spoiledtechie 18y ago
I would buy it. Im a vegitarian and when I buy vegitarian I choose to do so because it might save another cows life. Its good for humanity and life on this planet. I would buy the pizza box because it does exactly that. It helps humanity. If you think about it, the box prob only costs another 5 cents to make.
- brent 18y ago
  On the website they actually claim it is at "NO ADDITIONAL EXPENSE" (caps are on website). So effectively it is free marketing opportunity for the company buying it at no additional expense to the buyer. Since the barrier to change (for the buyer to their box) is so low I have a hard time imagining some pizza shops doing this.