trends

How Cheap Is Also Confusing

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Does it seem that a lot of things, especially things in the geekonomy, are cheap or for that matter free?

I've got books on discount by ordering online.  I can get epic games for my Smartphone for pennies or dollars.  I've got eBooks that are usually cheaper than buying the physical book.  I can save money with a simple Netflix subscription that brings me endless streams of DVDs and endless streaming of shows.

The geekonomy is filled with cheap (and Cheap's unltimate manifestation, Free) . . . for all the expensive entry fees of the technology.

Cheap is something people are understandably interested in.  We like to save money and spend less.  We like to get more for less.  Cheap isn't the only thing we're interested in price-wise, but it is certainly a driver for us.

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Speculations On The Job Search, Speed, And Innovation

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I've ranted about the issues with a modern-day job search more times than I care to count.  If you've counted, accepted my awed accolades, you're more anal-retentive than I am.

Now I'm less than sympathetic towards the stupidities of the search for employment than I should be.  I'll concede that.  It's not that I'm annoyed at any one person, but at the general outlandish weirdness and problems in the job search of today.  Really, you think it'd be easier.

So, of course, I mull over the pain points of the job search.   One that hit me recently is speed.

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Fandom, Culture, Economy, and The Future

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I'm an old school fan.  Yes, I still have early Star Wars figures.  I saw Tron in theaters.  I was planning an IT career before some friends of mine were out of elementary school.  I've forgotten more about coding than some people I know learned in class.

(OK I'm also apparently cranky, but I digress).

I'm also currently living through the worst economic downturn I've seen, and I've seen a few.  So as I turn my cranky, fannish eyes upon the world, I'm actually wondering what the meltdown has done to geek culture and to progeek culture.

So bear with me as I analyze.  Also, you may if you wish, get off my lawn and stop listening to that gosh darn bad music.  Or you can listen to the cranky guy.

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