The Blood on the Keyboard
(historynewsnetwork.org)
The history of ivory-topped piano keys and the invisible human suffering caused by our cultural commodities.
The history of ivory-topped piano keys and the invisible human suffering caused by our cultural commodities.
DoorDash Offering Payment Plans for Food Delivery Sparks Backlash
(newsweek.com)
DoorDash is teaming up with Klarna to introduce a "buy now, pay later" option for food delivery, allowing customers to split their purchases into four interest-free payments.
DoorDash is teaming up with Klarna to introduce a "buy now, pay later" option for food delivery, allowing customers to split their purchases into four interest-free payments.
'Danish Viking blood is boiling.' Danes and other Europeans boycott US goods
(apnews.com)
Ivan Hansen, a retired Danish police officer, loaded up his basket at the supermarket, carefully checking each product to avoid buying anything made in the United States. No more Coca-Cola, no more California Zinfandel wine or almonds.
Ivan Hansen, a retired Danish police officer, loaded up his basket at the supermarket, carefully checking each product to avoid buying anything made in the United States. No more Coca-Cola, no more California Zinfandel wine or almonds.
Ultra-processed babies: are toddler snacks one of the food scandals of our time?
(theguardian.com)
For time-poor parents, straws, sticks, pouches and powders can seem like a quick, convenient and even healthy option. But these oversweetened, mushy foods are creating a generation of choosy consumers whose teeth are already rotting
For time-poor parents, straws, sticks, pouches and powders can seem like a quick, convenient and even healthy option. But these oversweetened, mushy foods are creating a generation of choosy consumers whose teeth are already rotting
Tesla Owners Are Desperately Trying to Disguise Their Cars
(rollingstone.com)
As oligarch Elon Musk continues to bulldoze entire sectors of the federal government via his so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the backlash has taken a toll on automaker Tesla, which counts him as both CEO and de facto head of marketing.
As oligarch Elon Musk continues to bulldoze entire sectors of the federal government via his so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the backlash has taken a toll on automaker Tesla, which counts him as both CEO and de facto head of marketing.
Tesco trials giant trolley scales in Gateshead
(bbc.co.uk)
Giant trolley scales are being trialled at a Tesco store in Gateshead sparking a mixed reaction from shoppers.
Giant trolley scales are being trialled at a Tesco store in Gateshead sparking a mixed reaction from shoppers.
Is REI turning into a corporate retailer?
(seattletimes.com)
The union representing hundreds of REI workers has a simple ask for the Issaquah-based co-op’s members: Vote no on board candidates.
The union representing hundreds of REI workers has a simple ask for the Issaquah-based co-op’s members: Vote no on board candidates.
Our Changing Relationship with Apple
(mjtsai.com)
Apple’s positive effect on my life should not be underestimated. […] But I need to remember, now and again, that Apple is a corporation, and corporations aren’t people, and they can’t love you back. You wouldn’t love GE or Exxon or Comcast — and you shouldn’t love Apple. It’s not an exception to the rule: there are no exceptions.
Apple’s positive effect on my life should not be underestimated. […] But I need to remember, now and again, that Apple is a corporation, and corporations aren’t people, and they can’t love you back. You wouldn’t love GE or Exxon or Comcast — and you shouldn’t love Apple. It’s not an exception to the rule: there are no exceptions.
Introduction to a Self Managed Life
(futo.org)
Apple and Google push users into closed ecosystems while removing options for personal control over data. Think back to when smartphones had microSD card slots, so you could store your photos, videos, & music locally & cheaply. As these companies started pushing paid cloud services, microSD slots disappeared from every phone. Apple no longer gives you a working “delete” button, and Google has mistakenly flagged people as criminals for sending photos a doctor requested of their sick child during COVID lockdowns.
Apple and Google push users into closed ecosystems while removing options for personal control over data. Think back to when smartphones had microSD card slots, so you could store your photos, videos, & music locally & cheaply. As these companies started pushing paid cloud services, microSD slots disappeared from every phone. Apple no longer gives you a working “delete” button, and Google has mistakenly flagged people as criminals for sending photos a doctor requested of their sick child during COVID lockdowns.
'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised
(theguardian.com)
From loyalty cards, to restaurant meal deals or simply parking your car – it is harder and harder to get by without signing up to a multitude of apps
From loyalty cards, to restaurant meal deals or simply parking your car – it is harder and harder to get by without signing up to a multitude of apps
I Left Florida to Try Lab-Grown Meat
(reason.com)
A company based in San Francisco just became the first in the world to sell direct to consumers what its founders call "cultivated meat," meaning it didn't originate from an animal that lived on a farm or in a muddy feedlot but from a giant steel vat.
A company based in San Francisco just became the first in the world to sell direct to consumers what its founders call "cultivated meat," meaning it didn't originate from an animal that lived on a farm or in a muddy feedlot but from a giant steel vat.
Letters from BBC Television Licensing
(bbctvlicence.com)
From the beginning of 2006, I decided not to renew my television licence. I found that my television viewing consisted almost entirely of tapes of old programmes purchased off Ebay, and that my watching of broadcast television was less than an hour a week. I therefore decided to stop watching broadcast television, and I today spend the £169.50 saved from the TV licence fee on video tapes and DVDs.
From the beginning of 2006, I decided not to renew my television licence. I found that my television viewing consisted almost entirely of tapes of old programmes purchased off Ebay, and that my watching of broadcast television was less than an hour a week. I therefore decided to stop watching broadcast television, and I today spend the £169.50 saved from the TV licence fee on video tapes and DVDs.
Netflix increases UK subscription prices despite record audience
(theguardian.com)
Whether you are binging The Night Agent or American Primeval, getting a Netflix fix has become pricier in the UK as the streaming giant increased subscription costs despite a record audience.
Whether you are binging The Night Agent or American Primeval, getting a Netflix fix has become pricier in the UK as the streaming giant increased subscription costs despite a record audience.
The Sad Math of Ads
(jamesdamore.com)
Advertising permeates modern life, drowning us in messages of inadequacy and promises of salvation through consumption.
Advertising permeates modern life, drowning us in messages of inadequacy and promises of salvation through consumption.
Anything threatening to be a subculture is commodified before it can walk (2014)
(dezeen.com)
Inevitably, in the latest book, The Peripheral, our unbridled materialism yields what we fear – climate-driven apocalypse.
Inevitably, in the latest book, The Peripheral, our unbridled materialism yields what we fear – climate-driven apocalypse.
The console wars are over and nobody won
(kotaku.com)
For decades, a war has been raging online and in stores. A fight between massive corporations trying to sell you plastic boxes that play games and their weirdly dedicated supporters. The fight was always silly, but very real and expensive, involving massive companies spending hundreds of millions of dollars on marketing, game development, and hardware. And for a long time it seemed like the console wars would continue forever. But that’s not what happened.
For decades, a war has been raging online and in stores. A fight between massive corporations trying to sell you plastic boxes that play games and their weirdly dedicated supporters. The fight was always silly, but very real and expensive, involving massive companies spending hundreds of millions of dollars on marketing, game development, and hardware. And for a long time it seemed like the console wars would continue forever. But that’s not what happened.
The Americans Pledging to Buy Less–Or Even Nothing
(wsj.com)
Instagram, TikTok and other social-media sites are usually overwhelmed by people showing off what they bought. This year, people are pivoting to something else: displaying how they’re buying nothing.
Instagram, TikTok and other social-media sites are usually overwhelmed by people showing off what they bought. This year, people are pivoting to something else: displaying how they’re buying nothing.
People are selling phones with TikTok pre-downloaded for an eye-watering price
(independent.co.uk)
What’s TikTok worth to you? For some, apparently, the answer is: thousands of dollars.
What’s TikTok worth to you? For some, apparently, the answer is: thousands of dollars.
Who owns your DNA? Privacy concerns in genetic testing services
(incogni.com)
With the holiday season here again, at-home DNA testing kits are once again a popular gift option. As one of the most popular DNA testing services, 23andMe, faces bankruptcy, many consumers are looking into alternatives. However, choosing the right service may not be as straightforward as it may seem.
With the holiday season here again, at-home DNA testing kits are once again a popular gift option. As one of the most popular DNA testing services, 23andMe, faces bankruptcy, many consumers are looking into alternatives. However, choosing the right service may not be as straightforward as it may seem.
Hospitals in the US want to call patients customers now
(reddit.com)
YSK, hospitals all across the US, don’t want to call you patients anymore, you are customers now.
YSK, hospitals all across the US, don’t want to call you patients anymore, you are customers now.
CA bans food 'sell by' dates. Will it save you money without getting you sick?
(latimes.com)
A new California law further regulates food safety labels and will take effect in 2026.
A new California law further regulates food safety labels and will take effect in 2026.
How and Why I Stopped Buying New Laptops (2020)
(lowtechmagazine.com)
As a freelance journalist – or an office worker if you wish – I have always believed that I should regularly buy a new laptop. But older machines offer more quality for much less money.
As a freelance journalist – or an office worker if you wish – I have always believed that I should regularly buy a new laptop. But older machines offer more quality for much less money.
Honey's deal-hunting browser extension is accused of ripping off YouTubers
(theverge.com)
The PayPal Honey browser extension is, in theory, a handy way to find better deals on products while you’re shopping online. But in a video published this weekend, YouTuber MegaLag claims the extension is a “scam” and that Honey has been “stealing money from influencers, including the very ones they paid to promote their product.”
The PayPal Honey browser extension is, in theory, a handy way to find better deals on products while you’re shopping online. But in a video published this weekend, YouTuber MegaLag claims the extension is a “scam” and that Honey has been “stealing money from influencers, including the very ones they paid to promote their product.”
Ask HN: Are you crosssing the Amazon picket line? If no, where are you shopping?
(ycombinator.com)
Feels like such a bougie question, but I just wonder: have any of y'all discovered an online shopping experience with quick shipping and broad product selection that competes well with Amazon?
Feels like such a bougie question, but I just wonder: have any of y'all discovered an online shopping experience with quick shipping and broad product selection that competes well with Amazon?
Why online returns are a hassle now
(theatlantic.com)
Getting your money back is not as simple as it used to be.
Getting your money back is not as simple as it used to be.
Obscene Prices, Declining Quality: Luxury Is in a Death Spiral
(nytimes.com)
The holiday shopping season is hitting its apex. And do you know what I, a longtime fashion editor, will not be buying my loved ones this year? Big-name luxury fashion. I’d sooner set my eyebrows on fire.
The holiday shopping season is hitting its apex. And do you know what I, a longtime fashion editor, will not be buying my loved ones this year? Big-name luxury fashion. I’d sooner set my eyebrows on fire.
Why is it so hard to buy things that work well? (2022)
(danluu.com)
Why is it so hard to buy things that work well?
Why is it so hard to buy things that work well?