Let the games begin

The anouncement was made the other day, and Playstation 3 shoppers descended like proverbial flies on a fresh field pie. They scrambled here, they fought there, and everywhere the lineups grew. Now then, let's put some things into perspective; we're talking about a piece of plastic and metal which makes noises when you push buttons. In much the same way a crib toy might entertain an infant. I don't mean to suggest that Playstation 3 is rubbish - it's probably a lot of fun. It'll be fun 2, 4 or 6 months from now, when the inflated prices have become a dark memory. It'll be fun when someone buys one at a yard sale for $50 two years from now.

So it's beyond comprehension that grown adults would go to such lengths to have one...today... regardless of price. I bought a copy of the 'DaVinci Code' last night. I could have paid through the nose to see it at the cinema, but I wasn't interested in standing in huge lineups to satisfy that urge. I chose to wait for the DVD. Frankly, I should have waited until it was in a delete bin for $5 somewhere - it would have been better value. My point is simple; that movie would have been as disappointing had I paid a fortune to watch it on the big screen. A little patience didn't change the entertainment value.

What is it that makes people lose all common sense and throw themselves at a product or marketing concept with all the abandon of a naked three year-old in a wading pool? Perhaps it's the "I got there first" syndrome, where people take great pleasure in flaunting their purchase to those losers who didn't have the cash or the time to spend to jump on the insanity bandwagon. Remember the 'Cabbage Patch Doll" and "Elmo" fiascos? What a ridiculous display of lack of self-respect.

However, there is a silver lining for those of us who simply don't understand this total rejection of common sense. Technology and society as a whole is moving forward at an alarming rate. What is new today, is obsolete tomorrow. What is hip or popular right now, will be boring before you get it out of the box or get used to owning it. You could save yourself some money and frustration by simply allowing a product to settle in and buy it for a reasonable price. You could. But you won't. You'll pay street people $100 day to keep your place in line in order that you may lay your hands on that elusive prize; a piece of plastic and metal that makes noises when you push buttons.

ooh. The excitement is overwhelming.

You see, I'd love to own a nice sporty car. Exciting new models arrive every year, but they are always priced out of reach for me. However, if I wait - I can have that car for a greatly reduced price. It's used, but if the object is to own one, what's the difference? Besides, it would be broken in. You won't catch me hiring a bum to sit at the dealership to make sure I get one, and you won't see me offering 3 times market value either. In a world where virtually every sane person tries to save a dollar or two by paying less for a product, who, in his or her right mind would stand in line for days to pay...more?

There's the answer. "In his or her right mind".

I rest my case.

Update:
Shortly after I posted this item, CNN had the following article on their site;

"HARTFORD, Connecticut (AP) -- Two armed thugs tried to rob a line of people waiting for the new PlayStation 3 game system to go on sale early Friday and shot one man who refused to give up his money, authorities said."

... think of it as a sort of Playstation Serengeti. Whenever the herd gathers, the lions are always waiting on the perimeter, ready to pounce. If the herd had any sense, they'd chase the lions away, since thery outnumber the carnivores..but they're not that bright. So remember this next time you go bouncing off with a pocket ful of money to the local big box to purchase that "I'll die if I don't get it right now" item. You might go from customer to prey in a few short steps. And never forget that the predators aren't to be found in parking lots alone. They lurk in places like the corporate H.Q. for Sony, Microsoft, and other such companies. And they're always looking for fresh meat.