Ask the people who ran out of toilet paper last year!! :O

YOu're telling me. I was looking at finally buying a new card right before COVID, and of course playing the 'next gen is coming so current gen will go down'....what a mistake that was.

At the end of the day though, I don't really need one. I've been using the same PC for the last 8 years (2500k @ 4.2 and 290x) and it still runs 99% of things at 1440p on med-high settings. Long in the tooth? Sure, but still completely usable.

I'm not sure 30 pinball machines is 'just the basics'.

I don't think at current prices it is really 'lucky' unless you are planning on flipping

They weigh about 300lbs less than a pinball machine.

Shh, the gullible love to blame those dastardly evil master planning poor for their unhappiness.

I've heard a few different things. A few people ran an experiment and went out and purposely applied at jobs that were known to be complaining about not being able to get workers, and basically never got any calls for interviews. What wasn't stated is what these peoples work/personal record were, whether it was a felon, bad work history, etc. My wife currently cannot get decent workers that a) want to actually show up b) do anything when they are there other than try to sit on their phones all day. That is if they even show up for interviews. So I guess it is probably a little of both.

Secondly, especially in retail/hospitality, people are very much over the rude people. And yes, people have become complete and utter assholes thinking that rules do not apply to them regardless of where they are or who's property they are on.

Thirdly, many have basically walked away from traditional jobs. They are instead turning to things like crypto, streaming, flipping, onlyfans(as an example). Keep in mind these are younger people who aren't buying cars, aren't having kids in general, aren't buying houses, etc. (this is all very generalized, but adds up to the whole).

The adults in our family sort of resolved this by a gift exchange. Random number draw, secret santa type deal with a limit of $20. They even thru in a gag gift that gets regifted each year and no one knows who's going to get it. Everyone seems to have fun with it.

n/m too off topic

That's been my issue the last year while doing a remodel. I have things that need done, but usually when prices go up, they stay up and go up further....so do you wait and hope prices come down? Or just bite the bullet now, assuming it's only going to get worse. We did actually see wood come back down some so that was a surprise.

It has everything to do with peoples mentality. Anyone who thinks wages should be what they were in the 80's should just give up all their cash and go flip burgers and deal with shitty customers for 3.50/hr. I can't even imagine working in retail/hospitality these days.I'm sure they'd love to pay you that. They may even pay you 3.55 so you can afford dinner. It amazes me how when people get some money they completely forget reality. Then you have those that always had money, and those are the people running the country. No f'ng idea what it is like to actually be broke, and work an actual job.

So many people here bitch about people on welfare, people wanting handouts, etc....but also want to bitch because people want more money to wait on your selfish asses. Who is anyone here to say $15/hr is too much? How about we judge what you do and what you make? I guarantee there's probably a lot of people around here who get paid more than they should for what they do(including me). (generic, not pointed at anyone specific). I get it, that the majority of people on this forum are older, but our way is not necessarily the right way. Our way is why we are where we are now, whether you want to accept it or not.

EDIT: change 'your' to 'our'...I'm not exactly young

And if that's how you took the point.....

I hate to break it to all you business owners, but capitalism isn't perfect, nor fair. It's severely skewed to the rich and always has been. While I'm not talking about small businesses (or whatever size you may be), I'm assuming you aren't massive corporation taking 300X your employees salary and catering to shareholders. History shows that given no regulation, and no laws, companies will do whatever they want employees be damned. I know everyone around here likes to take statements about employees and owners personally, but there is no perfect solution and there's generally a big difference between the mentality of a small/medium company and the people who are money over everything massive corporations who are wrecking this country.

People sit here on their podiums talking about all these 'lazy' people and stimulus packages, but guess where all of that money will eventually end up? In some uber rich guys investment account. In general, employees in this country at least have been abused for way too long. Adapt, or go under. That's the capitalism everyone loves right? I can't believe everyone wants things to stay just like they are where everyone has to work to the bone to make a living. Or is it really that people like that feeling of superiority to feel like 'they made it'? I for one am curious where all of this is heading. New blood, new ideas, and hopefully, people are are more concerned about the country, than their own wealth and power.

Sure, put any number in there you want. It doesn't change the point.

Yeah, Mr. Fucking Dude Don't take what I'm saying personally. As callous as I'm sounding nothing but the utmost respect for ppl bringing up their own company. Sadly, it's a touchy subject that not everyone is going to agree what the path forward is. Most of my angst is to those who treat their employees and consumers like cattle and would kill your first born if it would bring the market share up.

That's a fair point.

I'm not sure there is one, because the biggest flaw is human nature. One single change would improve it. Humanity not being selfish. That is simply all it would take to improve it drastically. Of course, people often like to rhetoricize that as communism.

Yeah, exactly, and it's all been politicized to the point that people would rather see others suffer to be right, than to accept that maybe things need to be looked at.

It's such a complex issue. While in the past, it is basically true, we must ask, why aren't they going to better jobs then as they get older? For awhile now they've been blaming the boomers for not retiring and opening up positions, automation, student debt, etc, but now we're in a position where supposedly employees are needed, wages are going up, and there's no one taking jobs? Is it simply because of things I stated earlier? There's different unconventional jobs they can do? Things they are good at that we didn't have access to at that young age?

I live in the same town I grew up in. I know people who are working at the same jobs we all were when we were in school 30 years ago. They never changed, and I know the wages aren't great. There could be a number of reasons for this that I'm not privy to, but on the surface it does make you scratch your head.

And to keep it on topic, flipping really does fall into all this, because...capitalism. Supply and demand. All flipping is is another form of revenue that someone figured out. There' s a certain morality tied to the subject though that divides people. On one hand, I think it's fair game for everyone, except when the sales are only opened up for a select *cough* special few - who are usually the haves, not the have nots. So I'm mixed on my thoughts about the subject. Yes, it annoys me I can't get a graphics card for a reasonable price, but I can live without it.

All it would have taken is one errant thing to derail your whole life. Think about that for a moment. While I certainly agree there are a lot of lazy fuckers, constantly saying "I worked for pennies" doesn't help anyone. I would hold the judgement and see how your 3 sons turn out in 20 years. It is our generation that raised a bunch of lazy, entitled people because of our past work histories and not wanting to see our kids worked to death like our parents or us.

I worked hard and got where I am because I learned early on no one was going to help me or do anything for me, that included my family.

It is reality. We are HERE. As I stated, the issue isn't the small companies. They are impacted by everything as well. But, as everyone loves to state, capitalism is great and apparently fair. No one said it would be easy. If the billionaire mega corps put you out of business, that's capitalism. If people cancel you and you go out of business, that's capitalism. If you can't get workers because you can't pay them enough to pay their rent AND eat, so they go somewhere else, that's capitalism. Everyone loves capitalism until it works against them. Then suddenly it's everyone elses fault. It's like people want it both ways...The issue is at the top, not the bottom...people need to start looking at the top, not the people at the bottom asking for more money. Quit blaming the poor, and start blaming the rich. If you are concerned about margins, you aren't the rich we're talking about

This is getting long winded because it isn't a cut and dry thing. TLDR version. If everyone thinks capitalism is the best thing, and nothing needs to change, then the best you can do is be a good person and not screw people over for a $. If you are doing that, then good on you. Is $15/hr the 'answer'. Most likely not. It's an arbitrary number that someone pulled out of a hat specific to a particular location. It's the idea behind it that is important. Ask yourself if your job is worth the 6+ figures you get paid. You are part of the problem too. You are also the reason prices go up.

If you really want change, start looking at your politicians that want to erode worker rights, consumer rights, cut taxes on people who are banking billions more than their employees while allowing them loopholes that cut those margins even more and quit worrying about the little guys who might get a nibble here and there. Are there people who take advantage of the system? Sure, but they aren't making bank like the big corrupt people at the top. Those are who are and have always been screwing this country over, while hiding behind the 'capitalism' front. They need to start doing real hard time.

That's not what this thread was specifically about but it all ties in believe it or not.

Accountability is the word you are looking for. And I agree. One thing is certain, people are not held to the same standards of accountability in this country.

People are calling for the heads of people making a few grand off flipping pinballs, all because they can't get their hands on one, or too pricey, while at the same time defending low wages. Figure that one out.

But that holds true for the entire economy. We don't need pinball machines. Many people don't need 1 car, let alone multiple. Apparently people NEED toilet paper.

Where would the world be if everyone only bought essentials? I think it would be a boring life, but would we be at each others throats over things like this and concerned about what the other guy has?

But that started years before the $15/hr talk. It was coming regardless. This just pushed it along.

Those manufacturing jobs would still be here if the damn line workers didn't want more than .50cents/hr like back in the 30's. I feel this one personally as I watched it happen in real time. Companies sold off because the original owners died/moved on. New management comes in with the explicit job to say 'who'll give me the most money for this company so I can get my golden parachute. Sell it, then the new company promptly moves it to Mexico to maximize profits for their shareholders and executives. But...as some seem to be saying, it's the workers fault for wanting more money.

And this is where the division of who we are talking about comes into play. For example, this has been Walmarts plan for a decade. They make billions a year, their executives make hundreds of millions a year. Do they really NEED to do away with checkers? They aren't sitting on razor thin margins, even a decade ago. No, they are doing it to increase their coffers that much more.

As people have pointed out, across the board, this does impact smaller companies differently, and most likely negatively.

The question we need to ask ourselves is, why are we here? What could be done differently that works for everyone? Who has the most leeway that these changes won't impact them. No matter what the answer, not everyone is going to be happy, because human nature generally is look out for yourself above others.

and...that process leads to flipping!

Here's a slightly related story, but slightly different perspective.

Near us there used to be this popular drive in with a HUGE screen. Easily 2x bigger than any others I've seen. It was planted right in the middle of a part of town that had mostly updated to the modern metropolis, except for this property. I believe it was Menard's who came in, offered them as they put it 'more money than I could make in 10 years' and they sold, it was torn down and a mega store put in. For the employees, and for people who loved to go there, it was bittersweet.

Clearly this guy won right? Capitalism at its finest, something most people dream about, but even at its finest, there's a downside to others.

I know I've talked way too much on this, and people are long since tired of my posts regarding it whether they agree or disagree, but I think what sums it up for me is this...

I think most people glorify the high level idea of capitalism as:
I want something, you have it, and for a price I can get it. In that simplicity, it works great and everyone is happy.

But once you start adding others into the mix (say growing so you need employees) the dynamic changes considerably. Now you are not only responsible for your happiness, and your customers happiness, but your employees happiness as well. The consumer is still only concerned about their happiness.

There seems to be a tipping point where that no longer applies. IMO, generally it relates to when a company goes public (stock market), because the dynamic now shifts to prioritize people who ONLY care about your profits and really not much else. This obviously doesn't apply to everyone, but it is a big part of it and this is a very high level simplified take. Because this is basically the foundation of our economy (and the world economy), it sets the overall tone and direction of where things go in relation to wages. When you constantly see companies telling their employees for multiple years "we can't give you a raise because we only made X much this year" while at the same time telling their stockholders "we made record profits", there's a problem. This problem gets ignored repeatedly. On top of that, because of shareholders, it is no longer okay to just make a profit and a living. You must constantly grow. If you aren't growing, you lose them. How do you grow when there's competition? You cut corners, wages, and buy the competition because those things tend to be quicker and easier than spending the time and money on making a better product.

There are local laws (maybe even state in a few places)

EDIT: this should shake you to your core.....6 years ago.

Dec 21, 2015 — Fourteen cities, counties and states approved a $15 minimum wage though local laws, executive orders and other means in 2015.

Here is a rundown of the current state of affairs. Actually further spread than I thought.
https://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/state-minimum-wage-chart.aspx

But they also want to make sure they sell everything. Creating FOMO is part of the marketing. In reality, no company has a real incentive to stop flippers.

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGE. I wonder how many strokes occur because of this.

When the hooters girls started coming to my house I quit going out too.

And, apparently they already have, thus, no workers. So, who's bitching now? The business owners. I mean, you guys can't honestly think all those millions of people are still sitting on fat wads of cash balling on their yachts just because of a few grand in stimulus? That crap was gone when they got it.

EDIT: Tell me I'm not rich without telling me I'm not rich. Can't figure out how to spell yacht without looking it up.

It's not all one sided though. While I can certainly concur that what you state is an issue, everyone is complaining, but not asking why it is like that. You call them lazy, but the business owners who have worked their asses off are also the ones who raised them. I know few parents are going to come out and say "I raised a spoiled child", but I can guarantee most of them worked their asses off and provided for them, and called them special, and wanted them to not have a hard life and have to work as hard as they did, and wanted them to be their friends. That was OUR generation. We hated watching what our parents went through. We wanted better for our kids....and many gave a better life to them. And...well..here we are. It was our generation who's kids just never moved out. I find that insane. I couldn't wait to get out left the day after I graduated. We have no one to blame but ourselves. Maybe not being your kids friend, and making them WANT to leave and prove to be better than you is more motivating than handing them everything. (not saying this is the case, just making a point).

Who's to say they aren't right though and screw normal BS rat race jobs? It isn't them suffering, it's clearly 'us' who don't have our slaves building all our toys for us, etc. Remember when our parents said our generation was lazy and wasting all our time on computers and games? Things change. Whether you want them to or not.

Another, huge part of this equation that I don't think anyone has brought up is that with the rise of social media, it seems that instant gratification has risen to extremes and that many are so addicted and wanting that 'fame' they think comes with 'friends' that they'd rather do that than work. I'm not saying money from this sort of thing isn't good, but I think many forgo other things simply for the thrill of being noticed (even if they aren't making money). Have you seen how many people exclaim how many followers they have constantly? That seems to be more important to them, or they mistakingly believe that will lead them to riches.

My used underwear sales have gone through the roof.

Dammit now I want a McRib.

Pinside was slowing down. I get paid by the character.

It didn't, as long as it's about empathy for 'me' and not 'you'.

Well yeah, that's the whole point of this part of the discussion. Why, and what is the cause? You say I'm invested, and try to shame me for having talking points. All of the things people have mentioned are parts of it, there is no one reason. COVID and the last year has made some people reevaluate priorities. I can't say I blame them. If I worked with the public and was treated the way people have been acting for $8/hr, I'd be walking away as well. Whether you believe COVID is an issue or not, it is indeed true that people in general are showing their true colors since it came around. It is downright hostile out there. I hear the stories from friends and family and the wife almost daily. It isn't because of COVID though.

Here's a picture of a cute armadillo.

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And this is why we can't have nice things.

But you've already said they don't want it. Wonder if the great resignation could be called Flipping too..flipping jobs that is.

I think that Elvira is still worth 15k since the new ones are 25k?