VisualSnare

simplicity... what is it?

The best I can come up with is, "Stripping extraneous to reveal purity (or relevant)." Wiki ganders it's the "...property, condition, or quality of being simple or un-combined." Um, that doesn't help too much.

Well, it's ok, because John over at "The Laws of Simplicity" is on track to figuring it out. And, he invites us to be a part of his adventure with his 10 laws as a guide. Practicing what he preaches, you'll find each delightful post further proves explains these laws.

I wonder though, if he might have been a little quick to consider these laws as absolutes. There is a certain intrigue, as a reader, to think that he is still working them over. That they're in beta (even after all these years).

So, I've got a suggestion: call 'em your 10 'Theories'. I know it doesn't have as much authority, yet 'theories' tells a richer story to me. According to this article, a theory is a, "working set of rules that define a body of knowledge." Sounds pretty dead on for this application to me.

This makes me wonder, what are visualsnare's defining set of rules? How can I create simplicity consistency in posts so as to allow you guys to get more from them? Time to get back to the drawing board. ~Reed

stereotypes are a changing

Are Americans finally perceiving transportation through a lens of efficiency instead of identity?

According to an article in the NYT today, the answer is a resounding 'yes'. Here is a quote from one of the interviewed (new) car owners:

“Before it was, Is it a cool car?” he said. “Now it’s, Is it going to be efficient and reliable transportation?"

If this is true, this is a HUGE consumer behavior change. The US has always been known as a place of economic opulence and our vehicles have been the tangible representation of this surplus (or lack thereof). Thus the creation automotive sub-cultures like tuners, lowriders, and hot rods and many more. And moving down the long tail to businesses renting wheels (sound warning) to "impress" your friends.

So, where does this leave this couple and their newly purchased Mercedes? Does that beautiful brand with equity built around abundance and luxury still mean the same thing to them... and others, as it used to? Will, in the near future, Mercedes sub-brand SMART become more desirable because of it's focus on efficiency both in footprint and movement? Or, because it shows that you can own more than one car?

I'll open it up to you. What are your trend predictions? ~Reed