Economics of $mile

I find it amusing to note the distinct difference between commercials made for low-cost brands, and those that are made for the rich. Based on my observation, here is my hypothesis.

In general, cost of a product is inversely proportional to the size of fashion model's smile.

So, we should expect to see big smiles on faces of the folks who model for cheap products, and vice versa.

The reason for this difference in my opinion is, the rich folks (generally speaking) try to distinguish themselves from the common folks, even if it doesn't really do them any good. They don't want to display their emotional outbursts like a regular Joe, and display their spontaneity in the face of adversity, like animals. They train themselves to be stoic.

Why? Because, they achieved their position by applying superior strength and foresight. They don't want to be seen as someone who failed to anticipate things and got caught unguarded. Also, certainly they don't want to drive the same car as their plumber or the house maid.

So, these folks don't get attracted if a fashion model shows her (his) teeth like a monkey. Reminds me of Dwight's quote in the Office.

I never smile if I can help it. Showing one's teeth is a submission signal in primates. When someone smiles at me, all I see is a chimpanzee begging for its life.

They (rich, so called aficionados of art) prefer to see an enigmatic expression on the model's face. If there is a smile, it should be no bigger than that of Mona Lisa's. Compare this smile to the typical genuine ear-to-ear smile of a used Chevy salesman!

The Power of the Four Letter "F" Word!

An excerpt from a review of Predictably Irrational, on our unusual craze for free stuff.

Ask people if they'd like a 15-cent Lindt truffle or a one-cent Hershey's Kiss, and 73% buy the truffle. Drop a penny off the price of each — a 14-cent truffle or a free Hershey's Kiss — and only 31% choose the Lindt. Is eating the chocolate you don't really want worth saving a penny? Probably not. But in the economics of life, we often show bad judgment, like allotting too much value to things that are free.

Strangely, even though the best things in life are free, we don't get attracted to them.

Change is the Only Constant!

Here is a 1946 advertizement of Western Electric.

I am sure people are going to giggle when they come across advertizements for iPod and iPhone, and the name "Goolge", 20 years from now!