ChaosEngineer
14th April 2006, 05:17 PM
The In-Store Psychics at Selfridges (http://www.randi.org/jr/2006-04/041406schwartz.html#i2) story was interesting.
Some thoughts:
"Psychics have a valid role in bridging the gap between hunches and religious beliefs." Does that even mean anything? On the other hand, psychics do have a valid role in widening the gap between fools and their money.
"Customers looking for an excuse to buy that expensive little black dress can now blame a dear departed relative." Not much of an excuse. Why are dead relatives so insistent on meddling with my wardrobe? Don't they have anything better to do with their time? I'd go with: "By wearing the expensive little black dress, I've set into motion an unlikely chain of events that will ultimately prevent the destruction of all life in the Universe."
In the US, I guess we use extended warranties instead of psychics. The idea is that you lure people into the store by advertising rock-bottom prices, and then make your profits from selling expensive add-ons. This actually benefits the informed consumer. Certainly I'd shop at Selfridges if they had a branch near me.
Some thoughts:
"Psychics have a valid role in bridging the gap between hunches and religious beliefs." Does that even mean anything? On the other hand, psychics do have a valid role in widening the gap between fools and their money.
"Customers looking for an excuse to buy that expensive little black dress can now blame a dear departed relative." Not much of an excuse. Why are dead relatives so insistent on meddling with my wardrobe? Don't they have anything better to do with their time? I'd go with: "By wearing the expensive little black dress, I've set into motion an unlikely chain of events that will ultimately prevent the destruction of all life in the Universe."
In the US, I guess we use extended warranties instead of psychics. The idea is that you lure people into the store by advertising rock-bottom prices, and then make your profits from selling expensive add-ons. This actually benefits the informed consumer. Certainly I'd shop at Selfridges if they had a branch near me.