I think that the title of your post could apply to an overall look at what America's economy is like today vs 30 years ago. It is useful to examine our economy from the perspective of GDP. For reference, I would suggest that you read chapter 3("The Priority")of the book "Growth" by Daniel Susskind. It covers the history of the concept of GDP which originated only with the onset of WWII. The following activiites are considered part of our GDP: A) Income from running a brokerage trading meme coins. B) income paid to influencers on Facebook and TikTok C) Advertising on Facebook C). Fees for real estate brokers. The sad fact is real stuff (that is the stuff you need to live and breath is only 15 % of the GDP. https://prosperousamerica.org/u-s-manufacturings-shrinking-share-of-gdp-and-how-to-catch-up/. Agriculture is less than 1 % of US economy https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/chart-gallery/chart-detail?chartId=58270#:~: I suggest that you advocate for a week with no social media that has an advertising(ie attention grabbing) incentive to show what is important to people (even though they do not know it)
One of the unintended consequences of systems like Disney's is that it disincentivizes having large families. This is largely true of all aspects of the economy, but paying $40-60 per person is likely feasible for upper-class families of 4. But what about a family of 7, like mine? Fortunately, I have a well-paying job, but an additional $400 per day ($2,000 if I spring for the LLP) on top of the parking, accommodations, tickets, and food becomes difficult, if not impossible, to justify. This is the definition of a first-world problem, and it was my choice to have a large family, but it is a knock-on effect of all of these add-ons.
Disney is an interesting example to work from. Walt Disney was a great man and a visionary who built new movies and parks that no one had imagined before but that everyone thereafter loved and needed.
Here from a biography of Walt Disney, "He visited county fairs, state fairs, circuses, carnivals, national parks. He studied the attractions and what made them appealing, whether people seemed entertained or felt cheated. His most depressing experience was seeing Coney Island. It was so battered and tawdry and the ride operators were so hostile that Walt felt a momentary urge to abandon the idea of an amusement park. His spirit revived when he saw Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen; it was spotless and brightly colored and priced within the reach of everyone. The gaiety of the music, the excellence of the food and drink, the warm courtesy of the employees--everything combined for a pleasurable experience. 'Now this is what an amusement place should be!'"
This has been life, in the Lighting Lane, for the painfully few Latin Americans who’ve been able to afford it. For the rest, it’s mostly a series of ever deeper “shitholes” :-/
If you wanna learn about inequality, come to Panama.
That’s actually were a live most of the year, and believe when I tell you, Panama has gotten worse. We’re in a virtual tie with Brazil and Colombia for first, depending on the measure, but it’s freakin brutal either way
I just went to Disney and had this exact experience. I’m a PMC member and affluent enough that I just sucked it up and paid it. But, I shook my head the whole time muttering, “how would my poor working class parents have afforded this when they took me 30 years ago?”
Great piece, Oren. I recently started a new marketing and PR biz premised on offering a return to personalized, non-automated service where when you call or email you get me, not a bot or endless automated emails and no way to speak to a real person when there is a problem.
Efficiency for the profiteer is at the expense of the consumer and the snotty managerial class thinks we all have no choice. They are wrong and eventually these geeks will not be able to hide under this fake indifferent sales model because the majority of them are lazy and have no social skills. The pendulum will swing back eventually in spite of so-called efficient high-tech. Humans are not robots.
Thank you for these important lessons about how easily bad leadership can devalue an asset. Why does this Mickey Mouse example remind me of the mini-me Muskrats’ mishandling (focusing on USAID because it’s investigating Starlink rather than federal procurement) of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make real progress on government efficiency, effectiveness and fiscal common sense?
Great article. Is this the American Dream? In any event, it probably does justice to the idea that corporations should wring every dollar out of their customers to give to shareholders, even leaving many or most with a bad taste in their mouths. And what impact does this discretionary pricing have on the workers at Disney administering it?
The excellent post made me think about how waiting tables is turning to a complex operation.
Now it takes three employees holding electronic devices to take the order, bring the food and charge your credit card. Don’t expect a smile or courtesy. Even eye contact may be denied.
Of course, you also need to be operating your handheld device to see the menu.
I miss the restaurants of 30 years ago. The old waiters who knew the costumers, made everyone feels comfortable, took hand notes and brought the food and the bill. How did it become so difficult?
I wish they would just price the tickets high enough that there were fewer people in the park and all the lines were shorter. Once I pay I don't want to have to keep thinking about shit. If its too expensive I can just not go.
The excessive complexity of life exacts a price of its own.
I think that the title of your post could apply to an overall look at what America's economy is like today vs 30 years ago. It is useful to examine our economy from the perspective of GDP. For reference, I would suggest that you read chapter 3("The Priority")of the book "Growth" by Daniel Susskind. It covers the history of the concept of GDP which originated only with the onset of WWII. The following activiites are considered part of our GDP: A) Income from running a brokerage trading meme coins. B) income paid to influencers on Facebook and TikTok C) Advertising on Facebook C). Fees for real estate brokers. The sad fact is real stuff (that is the stuff you need to live and breath is only 15 % of the GDP. https://prosperousamerica.org/u-s-manufacturings-shrinking-share-of-gdp-and-how-to-catch-up/. Agriculture is less than 1 % of US economy https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/chart-gallery/chart-detail?chartId=58270#:~: I suggest that you advocate for a week with no social media that has an advertising(ie attention grabbing) incentive to show what is important to people (even though they do not know it)
So, what is the "unique" experience for kids--how to get as ripped off as much as possible and families will spring for?
One of the unintended consequences of systems like Disney's is that it disincentivizes having large families. This is largely true of all aspects of the economy, but paying $40-60 per person is likely feasible for upper-class families of 4. But what about a family of 7, like mine? Fortunately, I have a well-paying job, but an additional $400 per day ($2,000 if I spring for the LLP) on top of the parking, accommodations, tickets, and food becomes difficult, if not impossible, to justify. This is the definition of a first-world problem, and it was my choice to have a large family, but it is a knock-on effect of all of these add-ons.
Disney is an interesting example to work from. Walt Disney was a great man and a visionary who built new movies and parks that no one had imagined before but that everyone thereafter loved and needed.
Here from a biography of Walt Disney, "He visited county fairs, state fairs, circuses, carnivals, national parks. He studied the attractions and what made them appealing, whether people seemed entertained or felt cheated. His most depressing experience was seeing Coney Island. It was so battered and tawdry and the ride operators were so hostile that Walt felt a momentary urge to abandon the idea of an amusement park. His spirit revived when he saw Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen; it was spotless and brightly colored and priced within the reach of everyone. The gaiety of the music, the excellence of the food and drink, the warm courtesy of the employees--everything combined for a pleasurable experience. 'Now this is what an amusement place should be!'"
This has been life, in the Lighting Lane, for the painfully few Latin Americans who’ve been able to afford it. For the rest, it’s mostly a series of ever deeper “shitholes” :-/
If you wanna learn about inequality, come to Panama.
Or Mexico City.
That’s actually were a live most of the year, and believe when I tell you, Panama has gotten worse. We’re in a virtual tie with Brazil and Colombia for first, depending on the measure, but it’s freakin brutal either way
I just went to Disney and had this exact experience. I’m a PMC member and affluent enough that I just sucked it up and paid it. But, I shook my head the whole time muttering, “how would my poor working class parents have afforded this when they took me 30 years ago?”
Great piece, Oren. I recently started a new marketing and PR biz premised on offering a return to personalized, non-automated service where when you call or email you get me, not a bot or endless automated emails and no way to speak to a real person when there is a problem.
Efficiency for the profiteer is at the expense of the consumer and the snotty managerial class thinks we all have no choice. They are wrong and eventually these geeks will not be able to hide under this fake indifferent sales model because the majority of them are lazy and have no social skills. The pendulum will swing back eventually in spite of so-called efficient high-tech. Humans are not robots.
It’s become the extortion/meme scam economy. Schiller/buffet ratio way outta wack 2
Thank you for these important lessons about how easily bad leadership can devalue an asset. Why does this Mickey Mouse example remind me of the mini-me Muskrats’ mishandling (focusing on USAID because it’s investigating Starlink rather than federal procurement) of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make real progress on government efficiency, effectiveness and fiscal common sense?
It would be entertaining to apply a generic left wing price gouging law to Disney.
VERY
Great article. Is this the American Dream? In any event, it probably does justice to the idea that corporations should wring every dollar out of their customers to give to shareholders, even leaving many or most with a bad taste in their mouths. And what impact does this discretionary pricing have on the workers at Disney administering it?
The excellent post made me think about how waiting tables is turning to a complex operation.
Now it takes three employees holding electronic devices to take the order, bring the food and charge your credit card. Don’t expect a smile or courtesy. Even eye contact may be denied.
Of course, you also need to be operating your handheld device to see the menu.
I miss the restaurants of 30 years ago. The old waiters who knew the costumers, made everyone feels comfortable, took hand notes and brought the food and the bill. How did it become so difficult?
CLEAR is similar — for a price, you get to cut through the TSA line. I always use it, and I always feel a little guilty about it.
I wish they would just price the tickets high enough that there were fewer people in the park and all the lines were shorter. Once I pay I don't want to have to keep thinking about shit. If its too expensive I can just not go.
I don’t want another app, I don’t want to scan another QR code, I just want to talk to a human and experience life.