perldiver

Sherlock Holmes remarked that it should be possible to deduce oceans from a single raindrop.  A couple of years ago, I had a similiar experience, deducing a broad outline of capitalism from a trip to the grocery store.   Granted, it's a lot easier when you already know something about capitalism....


So, in the supermarket, they have cans of mixed nuts that say, in great big letters, "Less than 50% peanuts!"

Think about that for a minute.

The things that you can deduce from this one can of nuts:

1. A large number of people don't particularly want peanuts in their mixed nuts.
2. Mixed-nut manufacturers know this.
3. Most mixed nuts are >50% peanuts.
4. Given #1 and #3, peanuts are cheaper than other nuts.
   
5. Mixed-nut manufacturers value the bottom line more than they value pleasing their customers.
   
6. People still buy the mixed-nut varieties that are predominately peanuts, even though they don't want the peanuts and they have an option.

If you read those points and boil them down to "Corporations don't care, and people are stupid" then you are correct!

And to anyone who says that people buy the >50% people nuts because they are cheaper...bzzzzt, thank you for playing!  Mixed nuts are a luxury item, not a food staple.  Furthermore, you can easily buy 6 cans of different kinds of nuts and mix them yourself, for less; if you buy them premixed, you are paying for convenience.  People who are buying mixed nuts obviously have disposable income and the <50% peanuts versions don't cost that much more.

I'm only 34...is that too young to be feeling bitter, cynical, and jaded?