OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread

[Riffraft]

My wife is firmly in the apple cult. Personally I would never give apple a penny of my money.  They do everything to make sure you have no choice but to continue to buy their products once you are hooked in. 

[Riffraft]

I have very bad eyes.  Lasik will not correct my vision, so I looked into clear lens replacement (cataract surgery).  Was told by the doctor they couldn't get me to 20/20 even with clear lens replacement and would still need to have glasses just not as thick or expensive.  I declined to do it at $8K.  If or when I get cataracts (already have a small one in one eye) I will have them put in corrective lens when they do the surgery.  While I still won't be 20/20 at least medicare will cover most of the cost. 

[Cincydawg]

Medicare covers most of tha cataract surgery, but the laser stuff in my case was on me.  

Ongoing Apple Neo saga, my wife talked me into going to an Apple store near Costco today.  We walk in, stand in line a bit, and some lady tells me they have no openings today.  I pivot without a word and walk out.  My wife said I was rude to the lady.  I don't care.  My wife also said they'd fix the problem, and they didn't, so I'm done.

I had an urge this morning to toss it in the trash, but didn't, so now plan B is drive to Athens and get the bookstore to take it back.  The scanty paperwork says I can mail it to them, but the scantiness makes me nervous about that option, which probably costs about as much as the drive anyway.  

I tried again to boot it, no change.  Now I'm going to boot it.  I went on line and there are fifty different possible solutions involving lingo I don't understand.

[OrangeAfroMan]

My wife is firmly in the apple cult. Personally I would never give apple a penny of my money.  They do everything to make sure you have no choice but to continue to buy their products once you are hooked in.

Good ole capitalism!

[Cincydawg]

I find folks throw around terms like capitalism and socialism without much underlying understanding, or at least underlying meaning.  Socialism comes in a number of different forms, and often is misused (in my view) to describe countries like Sweden.  I find better terms are "free markets" and "central planning", though obviously no country has a completely free unregulated market, and no country has an entirely centrally planned economy either, maybe PRK is closest.

I've seen folks praising socialism in social media for example and if I ask what they mean by that, they get defensive and offer no examples or no good examples.

I recall a discussion somewhere of "libertarian socialism", which sounds like an oxymoron, but is apparently a real concept, or somewhat real anyway.

I do enjoy stirring pots at times ....

[Riffraft]

Good ole capitalism!

The nice thing about capitalism is I don't have to buy apple because I have lots and lots of other options. 

[847badgerfan]

I find folks throw around terms like capitalism and socialism without much underlying understanding, or at least underlying meaning.  Socialism comes in a number of different forms, and often is misused (in my view) to describe countries like Sweden.  I find better terms are "free markets" and "central planning", though obviously no country has a completely free unregulated market, and no country has an entirely centrally planned economy either, maybe PRK is closest.

I've seen folks praising socialism in social media for example and if I ask what they mean by that, they get defensive and offer no examples or no good examples.

I recall a discussion somewhere of "libertarian socialism", which sounds like an oxymoron, but is apparently a real concept, or somewhat real anyway.

I do enjoy stirring pots at times ....

I would be OK with all of the socialist hopefuls moving to a socialist country. I'd be amused, actually, and I would anxiously await those hopefuls try to exercise free speech.

[Cincydawg]

Well, many view the Scandanavian countries as "socialist", but they don't view it that way.  Sweden has more billionaires per capita than does the US.

These are largely free market economies with high taxes and generous social benefits.

[MrNubbz]

My optometrist said he can improve my crappy vision (astigmatism) if and when I have cataract surgery.
I'm not really looking forward to it

I'm due for getting a couple of cataracts out this summer this summer

[847badgerfan]

Well, many view the Scandanavian countries as "socialist", but they don't view it that way.  Sweden has more billionaires per capita than does the US.

These are largely free market economies with high taxes and generous social benefits.

I'm thinking more of a Russia or something.

[Cincydawg]

I view Russia as being more of an oligarchy with crony capitalism of a sort.   Cuba has a fair bit of small private companies operating.  The tourist shops are notably better than the state run shops.  They also had quite a few beggars in the streets.

[FearlessF]

Something like China 

[utee94]

Russia is a kleptocracy.

[Cincydawg]

China to me also is a crony capitalist system.