The Emperors New Clothes is a parable about thinking something that is cheap, is actually very expensive, and paying through it via loss of money and dignity.
Today, modern shops, and manufacturers, and branding, all try to make us believe that it is worth paying big money for their products. All they do is have fancy adverts and nice pictures on their packaging, and people are willing to pay over the odds for this form of hypnotism.
Poundland is a shop where you can buy many good things cheaply. The other day, I was looking at their range of tools, and I was stunned by the quality. Brand new shiny steel screwdriver sets, spanners, etc. The funny thing is that I am actually starting to see Poundland's goods displayed in other shops for 5 or ten times the price. That means these other shops are simply buying goods from Poundland and passing them off as their own. Just because you pay more for something, doesn't mean it really is worth more.
All the big names in manufacturing have their goods made cheaply in China, India, Thailand, etc.
Walking into any big commercial shop now is a very cynical experience for me, as all I see are gaudily dressed products that I know I could get for much cheaper elsewhere. I have lost that magical feeling of walking into a shop, that I had as a kid, but I also have much more money in my pocket as a result. I prefer the money.
Today, modern shops, and manufacturers, and branding, all try to make us believe that it is worth paying big money for their products. All they do is have fancy adverts and nice pictures on their packaging, and people are willing to pay over the odds for this form of hypnotism.
Poundland is a shop where you can buy many good things cheaply. The other day, I was looking at their range of tools, and I was stunned by the quality. Brand new shiny steel screwdriver sets, spanners, etc. The funny thing is that I am actually starting to see Poundland's goods displayed in other shops for 5 or ten times the price. That means these other shops are simply buying goods from Poundland and passing them off as their own. Just because you pay more for something, doesn't mean it really is worth more.
All the big names in manufacturing have their goods made cheaply in China, India, Thailand, etc.
Walking into any big commercial shop now is a very cynical experience for me, as all I see are gaudily dressed products that I know I could get for much cheaper elsewhere. I have lost that magical feeling of walking into a shop, that I had as a kid, but I also have much more money in my pocket as a result. I prefer the money.
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