301–310 of 531 posts
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Depends on how you define "noticeable". If you can measure a small enough distance, you can see the lensing effect of any object.
Only in a Newtonian world--but there wouldn't be lensing in a Newtonian world. Once you consider Heisenberg and quantum mechanics you find your signal swamped by noise for smaller objects. Now, figuring out this limit is left as an exercise for the reader as it's way beyond my abilities.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I mean, in general, things we buy today are a lot more "affordable" while being lower quality. Googling says the average cost of a refrigerator in 1950 was $250 to $400 (for 10 cubic feet -- a fridge today is 20 to 30 ft^3), which would be $3K to $5K in 2023 dollars. If you pay $3K to $5K for a fridge today (for a fridge 2-3x as big as the 1950 fridge), do you get a better longer-lasting one? I'm not sure.
Refrigerators might be a bad example because we got rid of highly effective refrigerants on purpose to patch a hole in the ozone layer. Or perhaps more accurately, to stop poking a giant hole in the ozone layer.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Is there really a correlation between price and durability in appliances?
Yes. It's far from perfect, of course, but there are high-end appliance manufacturers who do make very reliable appliances.
Who are the high-end ones that are really that much more reliable??
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I get a little tired of repeating this, but there are some good reasons why fridges (and most appliances) are the way they are now: * Strong regulation on energy use by appliances (modern fridges are much, much more efficient than ones from 70 years ago) * Extreme competition from companies all over the world * Consumers who care more about convenience and cost above all else, and reliability basically not at all The…
>* Consumers who care more about convenience and cost above all else, and reliability basically not at all Don't blame the consumer for this. It's just The Market For Lemons at work. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Market_for_Lemons If you really need someone to blame, then blame the MBAs who buy up quality brands and then sell junk until the reputation is all ground up.
It's not, really. Information about brand reliability is widely available. People just value different things.
> Thing is, producing crappy, cookie-cutter, uninspired, overpriced junk that falls apart within 5 years (generously speaking) pays more to the shareholders. That's how we got from there to here. This summarizes it quite well for me.
I mean, in general, things we buy today are a lot more "affordable" while being lower quality. Googling says the average cost of a refrigerator in 1950 was $250 to $400 (for 10 cubic feet -- a fridge today is 20 to 30 ft^3), which would be $3K to $5K in 2023 dollars. If you pay $3K to $5K for a fridge today (for a fridge 2-3x as big as the 1950 fridge), do you get a better longer-lasting one? I'm not sure.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Fridge is a box of cold stuff. I don't need much more than that. The entire premise of TFA is essentially that you're wrong.
I would rather not require the use of my FIDO key to obtain an ice bream sandwich.
That amusing typo sounds absolutely disgusting.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Today's refrigerators are much more efficient.
Old lock handle fridges are surprisingly efficient. I have a 1949 Hotpoint and a 2022 LG. They both draw about the same amount of power when running, the difference is the Hotpoint runs less because it has four inches of insulation and a lock handle that seals much better than the drawer on the LG freezer. The only complaint with the Hotpoint is that it stays around 32.5°F which is too cold for veggies, but fantastic…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think what GP was referring to were the larger seats, more leg room, free meals, and a few other perks.
Precisely. If you want a high-end dinner and an open bar with a lay-down bed while you fly, well you pay for it, and if you fly Emirates, you can even have a shower thrown in.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
But they also do entirely plain units that last well with no 'extras' - their commercial units are also great and easy to repair. But most people want to spend as little as they can so avoid the commercial units.
You do not even have to use commercial units. Go to Costco.com or HomeDepot.com or Lowes.com or BestBuy.com and you can filter for fridges without unnecessary frills and see many options. There are at least 7 different simple top freezers at Costco, and at least 3 French door freezers without even water dispensers. Not sure what else people want, other than to complain.