Discourse and Discussion - Cap/Com

[Arrian]

Isn't that a pretty integral part of a consumer culture, though?

-Arrian

[Kuciwalker]

Yes, well you want to just remove the PR and even an illusion of choice.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Azazel

Why? You're a utilitarian, aren't you? How better to gauge the utility value of an item than by how many people want it?

The same reason that the liberty function is not the same as the utility function. The "free will" of the person, and his instinctive, short-time actions doesn't necessarily represent the best course of action for this person. And yes, I am so smart that I will decide this for them. Ha-ha.

So how do you decide allocation without prices?

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Originally posted by Kidicious


What is your job, if I may ask?

Currently a brand manager, but was operations and plant manager for about 10 years.

Got tired of having to fire people in the name of cost cutting/competitiveness. (Believe me I know where costs are ) So I moved into more of a new brand development role.

[Az]

No I am not.

Isn't that a pretty integral part of a consumer culture, though?

-Arrian

Yes, but I wanted to be specific. Oh, btw, advertising in it's current model.

[Az]

So how do you decide allocation without prices?

Who was talking about a lack of prices?

[Arrian]

Paging Ming, paging Ming...

Advertising I'm absolutely with you there, Az.

I just generally scoff at it (or rant at it, which I admit is the most likely reaction).

-Arrian

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Japher
Flubber: Why is natural gas so darn expensive then? I'm paying through the nose this winter.

Supply and demand

There isn't enough to meet all the demand out there adn its tough to bring new production on stream quickly. First there is the capital cost of building pipelines but the bigger delay is that there would be environmental hearings and conditions. I don't mind that . .. I like regulated capitalism . . . But it can result in delays in those projects

[Az]

Well, you see, to me, is just one example of a thing that thrives in the free-market, but doesn't bring true value, i.e. doesn't deliver a true service of connecting needing customers to willing products, but "manufactures" need in customers, in order to boost sales.

[Kuciwalker]

What's wrong with that? If it ends up making people happier

[Flubber]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
Because the producers decided to stop storing it up during non-peak demand months. Gas flows at a particular rate all year long, so they save gas during the summer to sell it in the winter. Well, they decided a few years ago they could massively incresae their profits by artificially reducing supply.

Happy capitalism.

Actually, gas is quite expensive to store so very little storage is done. The fear is that if you invest in massive storage, you could be undercut by the many many planned LNG projects and never make back your investment.

There is nothing stopping anyone at all from purchasing gas at the cheaper non-peak times and storing it themselves if you think that's economic.

Also supply is steadily increasing -- its demand thats going crazy

[Az]

But it doesn't! It promises to make them happier, while, in fact, the value of happiness it brings is very small, and shortlived and can be replaced easily by other, more healthy activities.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Azazel

So how do you decide allocation without prices?

Who was talking about a lack of prices?

Ok so you use prices, but you just don't pay attention to whether or not people buy at those prices? Don't you want to compare what people are willing to pay to how much it costs to produce the good or service?

[Flubber]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
It's very difficult to break a monopoly for gas, since you have to install pipes, and I doubt your competitors will share. One way to get around that is to install tanks and use trucks to cart the stuff around, though that carries physical risks.

Actually many pipes are not owned by the owners of the gas and anyone can pump gas through if they pay the regulated toll. The problem comes if all available pipelines are full. You cannot expect existing shippers to give up their capacity when they risked hundreds of millions on development costs and need to be shipping their gas to recoup their capital.

In Alberta msot of the major pipelines accept gas from literarally dozens of shippers and the major pipes are often the point where a producer will sell their gas to a gas marketing comapany.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Ogie Oglethorpe


Currently a brand manager, but was operations and plant manager for about 10 years.

Got tired of having to fire people in the name of cost cutting/competitiveness. (Believe me I know where costs are ) So I moved into more of a new brand development role.

Interesting.

I found something on the net that says that environmental regulation is about 2% of GDP. Do you think that's acceptable?