The Logic of “Stupid” Poor People • Hacker News Board

Re: The Logic of “Stupid” Poor People

#211

Post by mkeener » Fri, Nov 01, 2013, 8:23 PM UTC

MarkPNeyer wrote: post #176

sanskritabelt wrote: post #151

Earlier quoted context omitted.

you're signaling "I'm the kind of person who's angling for a very painful metatarsal fracture."

i must disagree. i have had foot and knee problems my entire life, to the point that i never enjoyed running or doing anything althetic becuase it hurt too badly. since i started wearing the toe shoes, i learned to become more phsyically aware. my foot pain went away, and now i run regluarly and enjoy it. it's like night and day. if wearing toe shoes gives people foot problems, it's because they've trained their bodi…

It's probably more because of the running surface in combination with the shoe, than the shoe alone. Using the same logic, our bodies weren't meant to run barefoot on concrete/tarmac for long periods. They're too hard.

Re: The Logic of “Stupid” Poor People

#212

Post by beambot » Fri, Nov 01, 2013, 8:48 PM UTC

consonants wrote: post #195

beambot wrote: post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Then you should have her check out Lollipuff (YC W13): designer auctions pre-screened by experts for authenticity (ie. eBay without the fakes). It also amazes us. Why would people pay full price when the "lightly used" ones sell for 80% off? *Disclaimer: Am a founder of Lollipuff.

I'd wager it's the same reasoning people buy new cars or new consumer electronics.

And what is that reasoning? Unlike cars and electronics, many designer goods hold their value over time, and some even appreciate.

Re: The Logic of “Stupid” Poor People

#213

Post by encoderer » Fri, Nov 01, 2013, 9:01 PM UTC

beambot wrote: post #212

consonants wrote: post #195

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd wager it's the same reasoning people buy new cars or new consumer electronics.

And what is that reasoning? Unlike cars and electronics, many designer goods hold their value over time, and some even appreciate.

FWIW, my wife was delighted when I sent her to Lollipuff yesterday. She thinks it's a great idea.

I guess one thought is that I don't know if I would ever gift her a used bag. Even if I trusted the source (which has always been a deal breaker before).

But her buying for herself, I can see her definitely purchasing something previously owned.

Re: The Logic of “Stupid” Poor People

#214

Post by gaius » Sun, Nov 03, 2013, 3:30 PM UTC

MrZongle2 wrote: post #121

Nate75Sanders wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Man, the iPhone 5 really is not a very good example here. If you wear your super classy outfit to an interview AND you have the iPhone 5 instead of a prepaid Android phone (or worse -- a prepaid non-smartphone), it's going to show that you "belong" and that you're not poor. Some people really do pay attention to what kind of phone you have, particularly for these gateway-straddling jobs that the author talks about in…

Counterpoint: after the novelty of wearing the super classy outfit and waving the iPhone 5 wears off once you have a job, what else do you now have to purchase -- outside your means -- to convince your co-workers that you "belong"? It would be cheaper to look for a job in an environment that is more interested in what you can do rather than what you tote . That is, after all, what most of us end up doing.

You probably genuinely do believe that, but the tech industry is notorious for superficial judgements - consider that you would know exactly what I meant if I described someone as a "suit". Maybe he's just a guy who likes to dress well? Maybe he was born in a more conservative culture and that's just what people wear? But God help him if he shows up to the interview in it.