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Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

pencerw.com

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Re: Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

#31

Post by analog31 »

pstuart wrote: post #23
StevePerkins wrote: post #4

This product just seems... like a throwback to the first decade of this century. A time when we rebelled against over-advertised, and over-priced Gillette Fusion cartridges. Not by growing beards (that would come in the 2010's). But rather by shaving with $100 German double-edge razors, badger hair brushes, and artisial shaving soaps instead. This here is a cheap pocket radio, like you could find at Walmart for $5. E…

My 16 year old daughter has a spotify premium account yet has discovered vinyl and now is collecting it (yikes). I think it's about the overall experience: tactile, "old fashioned", and functional. Pressing play on an iPhone is a thoughtless experience. Lifting the needle or grabbing a knob is more engaging.

My son has also gotten into vinyl and more recently... cassettes! I think part of the fun is going to the used record store with his friends. It's a pretty harmless hobby -- most of the tapes tapes are a buck apiece.

Another aspect might be just being different than his dad. I got my first hi-fi system in the early 80s. Today, my "home stereo" is an old cell phone and a bluetooth audio adapter board that powers a pair of bookshelf speakers.

Re: Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

#32

Post by icedistilled »

tim58 wrote: post #26
i_am_proteus wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A Merkur 34 costs $40 and blades are $6/100. I broke even vs. cartridge razors in three months, a decade ago. This is not a throwback to the safety-razor hipster era of yesterday, this is a manifestation of the artisan-chic post hipster/hipster-yuppie/yupster reality of today. Alternate take: in an increasingly complicated world, people are coming to value simplicity and aesthetics, and will pay for these things.

Chiming in on shaving. The double-edge safety razor can either be something that's cost saving compared to Gillette or an expensive hobby. I personally know people that spent $750 in shaving equipment, only to go back to an electric Phillips within five years.

Echoing, at 7 years in with my original DE and brush, I've saved hundreds of dollars by now and created a lot less waste compared to disposables even at costco pack prices.

But if you're the type that is going to spend huge amounts on fancy soaps and multiple brushes etc.. Then yeah you won't save money but you'll probably be spending it on other stuff anyway if you're that type.

Re: Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

#33

Post by WWLink »

greenyoda wrote: post #30
pencerw wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hey! Co-inventor of the product (and author of the link) here. The reason that the button isn't on the lid is because that makes the lid uglier and, more importantly, undermines the philosophy behind the UI - which is to keep the device as absolutely simple as possible. The idea came from my partner (Zach Dunham) and was inspired partly by Radiolab's 2008 episode, "Choice" - it's a bit of a deep cut but I recommend l…

> Lastly, you should note that a lot of our business now comes from selling The Public Radio to radio stations (again, mostly NPR affiliates) to give out as fund drive gifts. Here in NYC, we have two NPR-affiliated public radio stations that often play different content, WNYC AM and WNYC FM, and their parent organization also runs WQXR (a classical music station) and NJ public radio. So even if you only listen to pub…

The solution is obvious! Buy three The Public Radios! Isn't it genius? :D

Re: Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

#34

Post by theclaw »

pstuart wrote: post #23
StevePerkins wrote: post #4

This product just seems... like a throwback to the first decade of this century. A time when we rebelled against over-advertised, and over-priced Gillette Fusion cartridges. Not by growing beards (that would come in the 2010's). But rather by shaving with $100 German double-edge razors, badger hair brushes, and artisial shaving soaps instead. This here is a cheap pocket radio, like you could find at Walmart for $5. E…

My 16 year old daughter has a spotify premium account yet has discovered vinyl and now is collecting it (yikes). I think it's about the overall experience: tactile, "old fashioned", and functional. Pressing play on an iPhone is a thoughtless experience. Lifting the needle or grabbing a knob is more engaging.

I didn't appreciate physical albums when I was younger but now I find it difficult to throw them out, especially if they were bought in a store. Just looking at them reminds me of the time in my life that I bought them, who I was with and where I was.

I think it's meaningful to surround yourself with objects that remind you who you are, and your ability to shape your world. I do not get this sense with Spotify or Apple Music or Youtube. I still use those services but there's a sense of detachment, like listening to an song in a store.

Re: Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

#36

Post by seiko988 »

pencerw wrote: post #15
vyrotek wrote: post #10

For those confused as I was, you can switch the current station but it's not convenient or meant to be done often. You can basically disassemble the radio and press a button to cycle through available FM stations and leave it on the one you want. Why this button isn't just available on the lid is beyond me. While I do appreciate simplicity I really don't understand the value of a single station radio either. > https:…

Hey! Co-inventor of the product (and author of the link) here. The reason that the button isn't on the lid is because that makes the lid uglier and, more importantly, undermines the philosophy behind the UI - which is to keep the device as absolutely simple as possible. The idea came from my partner (Zach Dunham) and was inspired partly by Radiolab's 2008 episode, "Choice" - it's a bit of a deep cut but I recommend l…

Reminds me of the Muji CD player which has just on/off, eject. No skip tracks / rewind

Re: Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

#37

Post by monocasa »

analog31 wrote: post #31
pstuart wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My 16 year old daughter has a spotify premium account yet has discovered vinyl and now is collecting it (yikes). I think it's about the overall experience: tactile, "old fashioned", and functional. Pressing play on an iPhone is a thoughtless experience. Lifting the needle or grabbing a knob is more engaging.

My son has also gotten into vinyl and more recently... cassettes! I think part of the fun is going to the used record store with his friends. It's a pretty harmless hobby -- most of the tapes tapes are a buck apiece. Another aspect might be just being different than his dad. I got my first hi-fi system in the early 80s. Today, my "home stereo" is an old cell phone and a bluetooth audio adapter board that powers a pai…

I've got a friend (who, yes, is a Brooklyn hipster) who puts out his new music in two formats: FLAC and cassette.

Re: Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

#38

Post by tim58 »

icedistilled wrote: post #32
tim58 wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Chiming in on shaving. The double-edge safety razor can either be something that's cost saving compared to Gillette or an expensive hobby. I personally know people that spent $750 in shaving equipment, only to go back to an electric Phillips within five years.

Echoing, at 7 years in with my original DE and brush, I've saved hundreds of dollars by now and created a lot less waste compared to disposables even at costco pack prices. But if you're the type that is going to spend huge amounts on fancy soaps and multiple brushes etc.. Then yeah you won't save money but you'll probably be spending it on other stuff anyway if you're that type.

> 7 years in with my original DE and brush

Badger hair brushes should really be replaced more frequently than once every seven years. The soaps/creams build up over time, and bristles get damaged during use, and it's something that frequently gets wet with hot water which can cause bacteria buildup.

Re: Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

#39

Post by techslave »

StevePerkins wrote: post #4

This product just seems... like a throwback to the first decade of this century. A time when we rebelled against over-advertised, and over-priced Gillette Fusion cartridges. Not by growing beards (that would come in the 2010's). But rather by shaving with $100 German double-edge razors, badger hair brushes, and artisial shaving soaps instead. This here is a cheap pocket radio, like you could find at Walmart for $5. E…

the “first decade of this century”?

i think you’ve grown a little too old.

Re: Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

#40

Post by reaperducer »

StevePerkins wrote: post #4

This product just seems... like a throwback to the first decade of this century. A time when we rebelled against over-advertised, and over-priced Gillette Fusion cartridges. Not by growing beards (that would come in the 2010's). But rather by shaving with $100 German double-edge razors, badger hair brushes, and artisial shaving soaps instead. This here is a cheap pocket radio, like you could find at Walmart for $5. E…

It would be a welcome addition to my dentist's office. He is forever struggling with his staff switching the office radio from classical to something else. I guess that's a use case.
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