patrick.net

unstoppable says

What do you guys think?

Any other ideas about clear signs that a company is full of idiots?

Be careful. It could be a sign that the customer base is full of ass-hats, and some companies make a killing off of separating idiots from their money.

Some explanation for people who don't know what QR codes are:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code

QR codes in action

http://wtfqrcodes.com/

Sounds like a terrible reason to short a stock. But it's people who do things like that who make the stock market more profitable for those of us who invest passively in index funds.

I think you're on to something. Yes I follow douchenomics as well.

CaptainShuddup says

douchenomics

Hahaha.

BTW, anybody notice that Facebook is advertising like crazy now? And there are more and more articles about how the "Cool Kids" are dumping facebook, just like they did "Myspace"?

Here's another one for the list.

1)full van graphics wrap

2)The rolling billboard advertising strip clubs(this is a bone head move on the advertising firm. As this medium is now typecast for strip clubs. I certainly would not go to a Steakhouse that advertised using this medium, or buy a product from a manufacturer.)

3)Lawn signs on the interstate off ramp.(This if fine to let me know where the party is, or yard sale. but I'm not calling you to negotiate a $50,000-$120,000 real estate transaction, from a sign scrawled in a sharpie. Get real you clueless fuck! Everybody buys real estate. If the price is right!) I like getting out of my car and collecting these signs. I saving them for when I throw a blow out party or have a yard sale someday. These things aren't cheap... mwuahahahahaha

Dan8267 says

unstoppable says

What do you guys think?

Any other ideas about clear signs that a company is full of idiots?

Be careful. It could be a sign that the customer base is full of ass-hats, and some companies make a killing off of separating idiots from their money.

You're right this is why I find the whole fight over herbalife fascinating.

MsBennet says

Sounds like a terrible reason to short a stock. But it's people who do things like that who make the stock market more profitable for those of us who invest passively in index funds.

Oh don't be so smug, I'm an index fund dork myself, but my girl and I have decided to make things interesting by actively managing 10k apiece and seeing who does better me, her, or the current portfolio. I believe I am way better at picking losers than winners so I am tracking leading douchinomic indicators. Lifetime I'm 2 for 2 at avoiding bubbles but have never done more than not investing in certain sectors. Im not a total permabear proof being that I bought property in January 2012, I'm interested in seeing how well my spidey/douchery sense really is. Zynga,Groupon,Gold all set off alarms in my head, I didn't buy them but nor did I short them. I don't have any strong feelings at the moment but when I do, I'm going to short whatever is tripping my douchometer.

http://picturesofpeoplescanningqrcodes.tumblr.com/

How about shorting companies that use stock footage on their websites in place of real pictures of employees? Nothing spells trust and credibility more.

Dan8267 says

Be careful. It could be a sign that the customer base is full of ass-hats, and some companies make a killing off of separating idiots from their money.

Winnarrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Never, ever bet against the stupidity of the general public.

Another Douchenomics move...

The Monkey See Monkey Do too! Companies.

Yahoo lacked ideas so Mayer's grasped straws and went for controversy rather than substance, and initiated a "no work from home policy."

So what did Best Buy do, "Oooh, Ooh, oooh, oooh, me too me too! me too!" If Best Buy is still around after Christmas I'll be impressed. The store gets smaller every time I go in there.

The Fire hazard labyrinth.

Lots of these big box retailers are out to do them selves in early as well.
Either by fire codes, law suits, or a very tragic demise to possibly hundreds of patrons, and fines and law suits on top of it.

Go to these stores, do the isles flow, can you easily find what you are looking for? Is the exit easily accessible?

OR!

Are the isles laid out in stagger diagonal isles that face the corners of the building, rather than isles that flow toward the front door and the cash registers.
Are the exit signs prominent, or do have to navigate based on your knowledge of knowing that store.

Are the razors on one side of the store but the shaving creme on the other side of the store. All stores, used to place items that were related together on the same isles, now they intentionally break them up, and place them on separate isles that are located opposite ends of the store.

It's desperate, it's confusing, it's annoying, and in the case of the labyrinth isles, it's a goddamn deathtrap.

I would be serious law suits in the futures.
Target, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, even BJ's they are all doing everything I mentioned.

And it's all part of that "Monkey do Monkey do" leadership at these conpanies.

unstoppable says

Oh don't be so smug

The only obstacle to a good plan is a "perfect plan" I guess I am smug because found the answer to investing and don't need to take on more risk by shorting and investing in sectors and actively managing it myself. Sure, you will get lucky some of the time by doing this but over time it's a losing prospect. Even hedge fund managers can't do it all the time and 90% of the financial investors can't beat the market. You got to remember to stock market will dip big time again, so you have to not take on too much risk.

Even Warren Buffet recommends it for ordinary investors. And you, my friend, are ordinary.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/thebogleheadsview/2011/01/28/three-funds-to-own-now/

I don't understand what is wrong with QR codes? Can someone enlighten me on that?

I've read some on it from that link patrick wrote. Seems like an assembly line part number indicator, not sure why it's a bad thing.

FortWayne says

Seems like an assembly line part number indicator, not sure why it's a bad thing.

No it's not just for that, many companies use them in advertising on billboards, and posters. They most never give the textual representation of what they are. IN most cases it's just simply the URL to their website.
Which is crap considering they are on billboards, next to highways, where they expect the motorist to whip out their smartphones and take a picture of the QR code, which will in turn take them right to the website.

I prefer the URL, but most people use QR codes, because they are too lame or small to actually have a website of their own, so the link takes you to a positive Yelp review or some other crap like their vanity Facebook page.
I miss the internet when it was all about having your own domain, and not so much about companies getting you to like them on Facebook.

CaptainShuddup says

And it's all part of that "Monkey do Monkey do" leadership at these conpanies.

... and the justify their pay by claiming to be independent thinkers who (insert Reference to Cave Analogy of Plato, whoppee, somebody read a self-help book, or, far less likely, paid attention in Philosophy 101).

CaptainShuddup says

I miss the internet when it was all about having your own domain, and not so much about companies getting you to like them on Facebook.

No shit. Everything is so white and bland today. Bring back the Blackletter, the Black Background, Red Text, and Burning Torches.

thunderlips11 says

No shit. Everything is so white and bland today. Bring back the Blackletter, the Black Background, Red Text, and Burning Torches.

OK you got me there, thanks for the morning laugh.

It's kinda like the jump from regular cell phones to smart phones.
Some people just can't handle 'change'....

FortWayne says

I don't understand what is wrong with QR codes? Can someone enlighten me on that?

I've read some on it from that link patrick wrote. Seems like an assembly line part number indicator, not sure why it's a bad thing.

SoftShell says

Some people just can't handle 'change'....

OK the last company I worked for, after about three weeks there. The guy I reported to, that was showing me the ropes of their legacy systems, where everything was. Was abruptly fired.

Why?

Well first let me back up. He printed up these nifty t-shirts and was spreading them around. Several developers had them.
They said something to the effect... "Don't fuck with the people who keep your data." or something to that effect.

He even had a supporting blog, where he would blog about escapades and episodes of tech people and the dumb end users, who in that particular companies case, were business units, and serious players in that company. So then if that wasn't enough, this guy then placed a QR code on the back of his t-shirt that would take people to his blog.

They all wore these shirts for about three years, with out incident.
So then one day, one of the suits, just happened to discover what those QR codes do, and clicked on it as he was walking through the building and was horrified to find him self as the subject to several stupid end user rants. The guy was ushered out of the building with in 10 minutes later. He was even a 7 year employee, and was the only one who knew the legacy systems he was watching.

Thanks to that episode, I really had to get more up close and intimate with that legacy data and systems, then I really wanted to or needed to, for the tasks I was given to do.