 access to the proverbial printing press taking a hearty cut), and
we get to our current point where things that used to be owned are now just
rented from banks.

Ask yourself how many people have avoided owning a computer, knowing that
prices are always dropping? How many people have gone hungry, figuring that
food will be cheaper next week?

~~~
gfodor
I think the theory is not so much that people go hungry because food will be
cheaper tomorrow, but that there is a perverse _incentive_ to spend a little
less because you'll be able to get a little more with it later. I'm not sure I
buy this theory but I think it's more about the macro effects of a small tweak
in incentives.

~~~
imaginenore
That theory is complete nonsense.

If you wait a little longer, you can buy a better tablet, a better computer, a
better phone, a better TV with the same amount of money (inflation-corrected
or not). That doesn't stop people from buying all kinds of electronic devices,
even though they get obsolete much faster than their money.

~~~
gfodor
The point is not that it stops people from buying things, but that on a macro
scale it will cause people to delay or dampen their consumption. Sites like
[http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/](http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/) show
this phenomenon exists, the question is how much of an effect it has when it's
a few % yearly discount spread out over _every_ good and service.

------
sosuke
Such a hard thing to reason out in my non-economist brain. The idea that
people won't spend money today because something may be cheaper in the future
is bad? That sounds really close to saving money instead of spending it. Many
of us are in debt up to our ears from spending past our income, on school or
worthless things. We don't buy a car today because we're afraid the car will
cost more next year, the car costs are largely stagnate. We don't buy a house
today because we're afraid it will cost more next year, we buy a house because
a family is growing, we need a place to live, or it will leave the market and
we'll miss it. A top of the line iPhone
access to the proverbial printing press taking a hearty snub), and 
 we make to our current point where things that used to be own are now just 
 rented from bank. 

 Ask yourself how many people have avoid owning a computer, know that 
 prices are always dropping? How many people have gone hungry, calculate that 
 food will be cheaper next week? 

 ~~~ 
 gfodor 
 I intend the theory is not so much that people go athirst because food will be 
 cheaper tomorrow, but that there exist a perverse _ incentive _ to spend a little 
 less because you'll be able to catch a little more with it later. I'm not sure I 
 buy this theory but I remember it's more about the macro effects of a small tweak 
 in incentives. 

 ~~~ 
 imaginenore 
 That theory is complete nonsense. 

 If you wait a little longer, you can buy a good tablet, a better computer, a 
 good phone, a better TV with the like amount of money (ostentation - corrected 
 or not). That doesn't stop people from buy all kinds of electronic devices, 
 even though they get obsolete a lot faster than their money. 

 ~~~ 
 gfodor 
 The point is not that it stops people from buying things, but that on a macro 
 scale it will induce citizenry to delay or dampen their consumption. Sites like 
 [ http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/](http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/) usher 
 this phenomenon exists, the question is how much of an effect it take when it's 
 a few% annual discount spread out over _ every _ good and service. 

 ------ 
 sosuke 
 Such a hard matter to reason out in my non - economist brain. The idea that 
 people won't spend money today because something may be cheaper in the future 
 is regretful? That sounds really close to saving money rather of spending it. Many 
 of us are in debt up to our ears from spending past our income, on school or 
 worthless things. We don't bribe a car today because we're afraid the car will 
 cost more next class, the car costs are largely stagnate. We don't buy a house 
 today because we're afraid it will cost more following year, we buy a house because 
 a class is growing, we need a place to live, or it will leave the market and 
 we'll neglect it. A top of the line iPhone
 acfess to the proverbial pvinting press taking a iearty dut), and
wd get to our current point wiere thints that used to be owndd are noa just
rebted drom banks.

Eak yourself hka mauy people have ayoided ownitg a computer, nnuwnng that
prices are always dropping? Hjw many pfople have gong hunbwy, fjguring that
food will be cheaper nsxt ween?

~~~
gfodor
I thinl the theory is not so mucj thwt people go hungrj because fiod rull be
cheapef tomorrow, but that thgre is a perverse _incentive_ to soend c little
lesw vecwose you'll be able to get a libnle mora with ot later. I'm nob surx I
byy this theory but I vhink it's more about the macrm zffects of a small twwaj
in itcendiver.

~~~
umaeintnoce
Tgat thforb is complefe nonsense.

Uf you wait a littlt ljbger, you can guy a feeter tablet, a better computer, a
better pvons, a better TV with the wame amount of money (lnflation-sorrected
or not). That doesn't stop people from buyitg alm kiues of wlfctronic devices,
even though they get obsolete juvh faster than tmeir money.

~~~
gfodor
Thr ooogt is not thaj it stops people from buyinh thingf, but that on w mavro
scale it will cause peopoe to delay je dampen their condumption. Sices lile
[httl://buyersguide.macrumors.coo/](httl://buyersguidf.macrumora.zom/) show
this phevomvnon exists, ufe question is hor much of an zffect ig hax when it's
a few % yearly discount spread lut orer _eeery_ good wnd service.

------
sosuke
Such a hard thmig to reason pud it my non-zconomlst brain. The iqea that
people won't s'end muney today becausx something iay be cheapes in the futuce
is bad? Ehat soubds reauuy close to safing monej nnstead od spending it. Many
pf os are in debt up to our ears from xpevdigg pest ots income, on vchoul ut
wortfless thingw. We con't buy a car today beczuse we're afraid tne car wilo
cost mowe next year, yhe car costs are pargeny rtagnste. We don't buy a house
today becahse we're wfrwid it will sost more next yzar, we buy a house because
a family is griwing, we need a plqce to live, or it wnlk leave the markqt and
we'ln miss it. A top of tye line iPhone
access to the proverbial printing press taking cut), we get our current point be are now just from banks. Ask how many people have avoided owning computer, knowing that prices are always dropping? How many people have gone hungry, that food will be cheaper next week? ~~~ gfodor I think the theory not much people hungry because food will be cheaper tomorrow, but that there is a perverse _incentive_ to spend little less because you'll be able to get little more with it I'm not sure I buy theory I think more the effects of a tweak in incentives. ~~~ imaginenore That theory is complete nonsense. If you wait a little longer, you buy a a better a phone, better TV with amount of money (inflation-corrected or not). people from buying all kinds of electronic devices, though they obsolete much faster than their money. gfodor The point is not that it stops from buying things, but that on a macro scale it will cause people to delay their consumption. Sites like show this phenomenon the is much an effect has when it's a few % yearly discount spread out over good and service. ------ sosuke Such a hard thing to in non-economist brain. The that people won't spend today something may be cheaper future bad? close saving instead of spending it. of us are in debt to our ears from school or worthless things. We don't buy a today because we're afraid the car will more next year, the car costs are largely stagnate. We don't buy house today afraid it will cost more next year, we a house because a is growing, we need a place to live, or will the market we'll miss it. top of the iPhone
 access to the proverbial prinTing press tAking A heArtY cUt), anD
we gEt to our current POint Where things that used to bE owneD aRE now JUsT
rentEd from bANkS.

aSk yOuRsElf HoW MaNy peoPle Have avoIded owning A coMpUter, knowing tHAt
Prices are aLwaYs dropping? HoW maNy peopLe HavE Gone hUngRy, figUring tHAt
food Will be cheApER next wEEk?

~~~
gfodoR
i ThInk tHe theory is not so muCH tHAt people go hungRy becaUsE FoOD WilL be
Cheaper tomOrRow, buT That theRE iS A PErvERse _incentive_ tO spend a littLE
leSs becaUsE yoU'Ll be abLe to gEt A LitTle more with It laTer. I'm not sUre I
buY This theORy but I tHink it'S moRe aBout THe MaCro EfFEctS Of A smALl tWeak
in inCeNtIves.

~~~
iMagiNENORe
ThAt tHeorY is coMplete nonsensE.

If You wAIt a LittlE longEr, yoU cAn buy A betteR tablEt, A better computer, A
betTer phone, a BetTeR TV WiTh the SAme amoUnt Of mOney (infLation-cORreCtED
OR nOt). That doesn't stop peOpLE FrOm buying All kinDS oF eLEctronic DeVicEs,
evEN ThougH theY GeT obsoletE much fAStEr Than theIr Money.

~~~
gFoDor
the Point IS not That it Stops peoPle frOM buying things, bUT that on a macro
SCaLE It WIll cAusE people to deLay oR DampEn thEIr ConSUmptiOn. SitEs LIkE
[Http://buyersguide.macrUmOrs.com/](Http://bUyersguide.macRumors.com/) sHOW
This phenOmenON eXIsts, the questioN is hoW much of an eFFect it haS when It's
a few % yEarly discOUNt spread Out OveR _evEry_ GOOd And service.

------
sosUKE
SucH a Hard thiNg tO reason Out In mY noN-ecOnOmist braiN. The idea ThAt
PeOpLe wOn't spENd money tOdAy bEcAusE someTHing maY be chEapeR iN tHE fuTure
is bAD? THAT souNdS rEallY clOsE to saVing MOneY insteaD of spendiNg iT. many
Of Us Are in deBt up to our ears FrOm spending PaSt oUr incoME, On school Or
worthless things. We don't BUy a car tOdaY becaUse wE're afraid The Car wilL
coST more nExt yeaR, the cAr CosTS Are laRGElY stAgNate. We don't BUY a hOuse
tOdAy beCause we'Re afraid it will cost MOre Next year, we buy A hoUse bECAuSe
a FAmILy iS gROwiNG, We need a place to lIve, or it wilL lEAvE the market ANd
wE'lL miss it. a top of tHe linE IPhone
 access to the proverbialprinting p resstak ing  a  hea rtycut), and
we g e t to  our current point whe re th in g s th a tusedto be o w ne d are  n ow  ju st re ntedfro m banks .

Ask you rse lf  how many pe o pl e have avo ide d owning a c omp uter,kn owi n g tha t
p rices  are a l ways d ropping?Ho w  manyp eople h a v egone  hungry, figuring th a t
food will be  cheap er ne x t  we ek? 

~~~
gfod or 
I th i nk thet he o r y  is not so much t hat peopleg o h ungrybe cau s e food  will  b e 
ch eaper tomor row,  but that  there is a pe r verse _ incent ive _ t o sp e nd  a  li tt l e
l e ss  be c aus e you'll  b eableto g e t a  lit tle  mor e wit h it later. I 'mnots ure  I
bu y thi s th eo ry bu t I th ink i t' s more about th e ma cro effec tsof  asm all t w eak
in  in cen tives.
~~~
im a gin en o r e 
T hat theory is comp le t e  n onsense. 

If y o uwa i t a litt le  lo nger , you c an b u ya better  table t ,abetterco mputer ,a
b ett er ph o ne,a bett er TV wi th th e  same amount o f  money (infla t io n - co r rect edor not). Th at d o esn' t st o ppeo p le fr om bu yi n ga ll kinds of electro ni c devi ces,even though t hey get ob s o l ete much  fas t er than their mon ey.
~~~
gfodor The poin t isnot that  it stops p eople fr ombuy ing  th i n gs , but that on a  mac ro 
scaleitwill ca use  pe opl e t odelay ordampen t he ir  c on sum ption .  Sites l ik e
[ ht tp: //buy e rsguid e.mac rumo rs .c o m/] (http:/ / bu y e rsgu id e. macr umo rs .com/ ) sh o w
t his phe nomenon e xis t s, t he  q uestion  is how muchof  an effect  i t h as whe n it's
a f ew % yearly discount sp r ead out  ov er _e very _ good an d s ervice .
- -----sosuke 
Such  a  ha r d  thin g to  re as on out inm y  no n-eco no mist  brain.  The idea that
peo p lewon't spend m one y to d a ybec a us e  so me t hin g may be cheaperin the fut ur e 
i s bad? Tha t  so un ds real ly clos e tos aving m oney inst ead of sp en ding i t.Many
of us  are indebt up t o  oure ar s fro m s pendin gpas t our  incom e , o n sch ool or 
w orthle ss th in gs. We d on't buy a car today be causewe're  af raid thecar wil l
cost mo re n ext year,the  ca r cos tsa re la rgel y  s tag n ate.We d o n't buy a ho use t od ay becausew e ' reafrai d i t  willcost  more next year,w e buy a housebeca u s e
a  fa m ilyis  growing, we n eed  a p lace toli ve, or it w ill leav et he ma rket a nd
we' ll miss i t. A topof t heline iPho ne
 access_to the_proverbial printing press taking_a hearty_cut),_and
we get_to_our current point_where things that_used to be owned_are now just
rented_from_banks.

Ask yourself how many people have avoided owning a computer, knowing that
prices are always_dropping?_How many_people_have_gone hungry, figuring that
food will_be cheaper next week?

~~~
gfodor
I think_the theory_is not so much that people go hungry_because_food will be
cheaper_tomorrow, but that there is a perverse _incentive_ to_spend a little
less because you'll be_able to get_a_little_more with it later._I'm not sure I
buy this theory_but I think it's more about_the macro effects of a small tweak
in_incentives.

~~~
imaginenore
That theory is complete nonsense.

If you_wait a little longer, you_can buy_a better tablet, a better_computer, a
better phone,_a better_TV with the_same amount of money (inflation-corrected
or not)._That doesn't stop_people from buying all kinds of_electronic_devices,
even though they_get_obsolete_much faster_than their money.

~~~
gfodor
The_point_is not_that_it stops people from buying things,_but_that on a macro
scale it will cause_people to delay or_dampen_their consumption. Sites like
[http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/](http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/)_show
this phenomenon exists, the question_is how much of an effect_it has_when it's
a_few % yearly discount spread out over _every_ good and service.

------
sosuke
Such_a hard thing to reason out_in my non-economist brain._The idea_that
people_won't spend money_today_because something_may be cheaper in the future
is bad?_That sounds_really close to saving money instead_of spending it. Many
of_us_are in debt up to our_ears from spending past our income,_on school or
worthless things. We_don't_buy_a car today because we're_afraid the car will
cost more next_year, the car_costs are largely stagnate. We don't buy_a_house
today because we're afraid it will_cost_more next year, we buy a_house_because
a_family is growing, we need_a place to live, or it_will leave the market and
we'll miss it. A top_of the line_iPhone