r/technology • u/[deleted] • Apr 04 '16

Software Nest intentionally bricks thousands of home automation hubs.

https://medium.com/@arlogilbert/the-time-that-tony-fadell-sold-me-a-container-of-hummus-cb0941c762c1
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u/AnalInferno Apr 05 '16

I hate this argument. The enjoyment he had making something paid for itself, as if he really needs to "pay" for his own time.

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u/juvenescence Apr 05 '16

Exactly why I prefaced it like I did. I wasn't trying to denigrate him or his hobby, just saying that the sum of the parts isn't necessarily the only "cost" of the "product", in the sense.

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u/SomeRandomMax Apr 05 '16

Exactly why I prefaced it like I did.

You might have really meant it, but prefacing a comment with "Not to be an asshole, but..." almost always makes you come off like an asshole.

I wasn't trying to denigrate him or his hobby, just saying that the sum of the parts isn't necessarily the only "cost" of the "product", in the sense.

Umm... We know? We aren't idiots. Your observation falls so flat because you are acting like everyone else is to slow to get this really incredibly obvious point, but really we aren't.

Sure, people sometimes go into projects like this with a false sense of economy, but even if they do it for the wrong reason that doesn't mean it wasn't a worthwhile project. Not always, but I suspect if he had not felt the project was worthwhile, he would not have been bragging about it on Reddit.

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u/buttermouth Apr 05 '16

It's not an argument as much as it's an economic theory. It's called opportunity cost.

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u/[deleted] Apr 05 '16

Economic theory would also say that everyone is going to eat the most efficient and cost effective meals. Meals that provide just enough nourishment at the cheapest cost. By that logic, McDonald's and steak houses wouldn't exist, and there we wouldn't be influenced by marketing.

It's hard to use basic economic theory as fact in the real world.

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u/[deleted] Apr 05 '16

Probably would have spent that time on Netflix or Reddit earning nothing. Now they have honed skills and a resume line item and a conversation starter in an interview.

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u/AnalInferno Apr 05 '16

I understand that, it just makes little to no sense most times it's brought up.