[TWilliam]

They're called "The ME Generation" for a reason...

[Leanan]

Spend, spend, spend: There's no stopping the U.S. consumer

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')o while consumers are paying higher prices at the pump and finding themselves in foreclosure, the prices of flat-panel TVs and denim jackets are becoming far more affordable. Hastings says it is the planet's way of taking care of the U.S. consumer in this global economic environment.

[dinopello]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Leanan', '[')url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/spend-spend-spend-theres-no/story.aspx?guid=%7BE9AD0199%2DC0A5%2D49D0%2DB76D%2DEC9C04E864AC%7D&dist=morenews]Spend, spend, spend: There's no stopping the U.S. consumer[/url]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')o while consumers are paying higher prices at the pump and finding themselves in foreclosure, the prices of flat-panel TVs and denim jackets are becoming far more affordable. Hastings says it is the planet's way of taking care of the U.S. consumer in this global economic environment.

[joewp]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dinopello', '
')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A')s long as people have jobs, and the confidence that they will get one if they don't, they will spend -- and usually above their means.

[Newsseeker]

Personally I prefer to consume in a herd driven culture that totters on the brink of oblivion. What about you?

[vision-master]

And to think I just picked up a rear projection 50" HDTV at one of those bargain places for $750 inculding da stand! It was a display model. Now with all the other audio/ video gizmo's I'm set for hanging around post-peak. May have to figure out a solar power source - gotta keep the music & tv runnen ya know.

I was holding off for a couple of years. That ol low res 36" crt is just taken up space now.

Oh well, I've at least gone with mostly LED lighting............

[Concerned]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('vision-master', 'A')nd to think I just picked up a rear projection 50" HDTV at one of those bargain places for $750 inculding da stand! It was a display model. Now with all the other audio/ video gizmo's I'm set for hanging around post-peak. May have to figure out a solar power source - gotta keep the music & tv runnen ya know.

I was holding off for a couple of years. That ol low res 36" crt is just taken up space now.

Oh well, I've at least gone with mostly LED lighting............

[basil_hayden]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('vision-master', 'A')nd to think I just picked up a rear projection 50" HDTV at one of those bargain places for $750 inculding da stand! It was a display model. Now with all the other audio/ video gizmo's I'm set for hanging around post-peak. May have to figure out a solar power source - gotta keep the music & tv runnen ya know.

I was holding off for a couple of years. That ol low res 36" crt is just taken up space now.

Oh well, I've at least gone with mostly LED lighting............

[Baldwin]

Has anyone else been watching the craze the iPhone has generated? Locally (NYC), people camped out for up to 5 days to be the first in line. People were selling spots on line for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

What has happened to our society that we go nuts for a new electronic toy, yet many cannot name the 2 senators representing their state in Washington?

These things cost $500 or $600 depending on their memory capacity and have monthly fees ranging from $60-$160 a month. If this isn't material waste and overindulgence incarnate, I have no idea what it. What are the big features? Music on your phone? Talking on your phone (revolutionary concept )? Watching youtube? Yet the cornucopians/sheeple suck this up.

I am sure Gideon will be buying one for each member of the family.

Woe to any peak oiler here who has a relative ask for one...

[mekrob]

All of the craze supposedly bought them about $400 million US worth of free advertising.

I still don't see what the big deal is. It's a phone with music but many others already have those. The only big addition is it works kinda like a computer, but you might as well get a laptop for a couple extra hundred and a lot more durability and functionality. But I guess laptops aren't that small nor that sleek and shiny.

[Baldwin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mekrob', 'A')ll of the craze supposedly bought them about $400 million US worth of free advertising.

I still don't see what the big deal is. It's a phone with music but many others already have those. The only big addition is it works kinda like a computer, but you might as well get a laptop for a couple extra hundred and a lot more durability and functionality. But I guess laptops aren't that small nor that sleek and shiny.

[TommyJefferson]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Baldwin', 'H')as anyone else been watching the craze the iPhone has generated?

[Grautr]

My step daughter wants an ipod costing 200 euros. Her mother pointed out that she had lost 2 MP3 players over the last year and that she could save the money for something else because she could use her old ipod (the original design).

My step daughter looked at it and said;

"I'm not walking round school with that fridge!"

[killJOY]

people are insane

[lawnchair]

I'll admit that cell phones are a bloody well convenient on occasion. Enforced convenience now that pay phones are dead and the emergency channels on CB or ham radio are unlikely to be monitored.

But, I pay $100 a *year* for my cell phoning. Usually one or two two-minute calls every day or two. Plus, I get free incoming text via e-mail, so I use that as an internet-server-is-down pager. My MP3 player cost $30 and extra 2GB chips are $15.

So, add the $600/yr I save over a "normal" cell phone plan, the $250/yr I save over an iPhone ($500 might last your two year contract), the $600 a year I save not having even basic cable, and the tax savings of not having to earn that $1450... that's an entire month I don't have to work every year. Or, if the future were to smile on such, put in an IRA and living cheap in a paid-off house... that's retiring an extra 5 years early. Score.

[ravensburg]

Ya I bought a cell phone once, I hated the thing, everyone had the same idea that since I had one it was my duty to be talking with them all the time, and then a couple people sent me a text message and got pisssed couse I never responded (call me if you want to talk) I would not pay the amount of money for one of these peices of junk just so I can throw it in a landfill in a couple of years couse its not hip enough.

[perdition79]

The iPhone stampede is more evidence that corporations have replaced God. In a biblical sense, the good people at Apple are idolaters.

[Plantagenet]

The iphone looks really cool but we don't have the necessary ATT call phone network here in Alaska.

[snowshoegal]

Won't be long until Canada has it. They probably have to get approval from Dept of Transport or similar, and set up an internet/phone supplier. My bet is it will be Rogers.

I do not want one. I truly loathe the telephone and the interruptions it brings to my work flow.