[aclug-L] "No variety allowed" - A parable.

["James O. Harms" <joharms@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I know this list is not supposed to be "joke-of-the-day", but I think
this story illustrates something we already know - which may be why we
are part of this list.
joh

> Subject:      No variety allowed
> 
> After the recent Anti-trust hearings, Bill Gates recently compared
> the software market with the soft drink market.  He says Microsoft is
> struggling to survive, but that the beverage giant will be on top
> forever because the Department of Justice doesn't pick on them.  Of
> course, Bill should be careful not to give Coke any ideas. We might
> end up with a scenario like the following:
> 
> Joe: (walking into McDonalds) Hi, I'd like a Big Mac.
> 
> Cashier: Okay, here's your Big Mac and here's your Coke. That'll be
> $3.99.
> 
> Joe:  Uh, I don't want a Coke.
> 
> Cashier: Sorry, they're bundled.
> 
> Joe:  What? I'm not paying for a Coke!
> 
> Cashier: You don't; the Coke is free.
> 
> Joe:  But wasn't a Big Mac $2.49 last week?
> 
> Cashier: Sure, but this latest Big Mac is far more innovative. It's
> got integrated Coke!
> 
> Joe:  I already bought a Snapple across the street... I'm not going
> to drink the Coke.
> 
> Cashier: Then you can't have the burger.
> 
> Joe:  Okay, fine, I will pay the $3.99 and throw the Coke away.
> 
> Cashier: Oh, you can't do that. They're seamlessly integrated. Totally
> inseparable.
> 
> Joe:  How can that be? They're two totally separate things!
> 
> Cashier: No, watch. (takes Big Mac, dunks it in a tank of Coke) See?
> 
> Joe:  Why did you just do that?!
> 
> Cashier: It's a benefit to the consumer. Otherwise you'd end up with
> two different, inconsistent tastes. This way you're assured of a
> continuous taste across all your foods.
> 
> Joe:  Aaarrgh!

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