What you pay for

In the Japanese anime Full Metal Alchemist, a concept of "equivelant exchange" is a recurring theme. The idea that you cannot get something for nothing. Even if you put effort in, you cannot get something which contains more than what it is made up of.

A simple concept, sure, but I find it useful. In relation to the State of course, I would argue that no amount of Alchemy will help you create a useful institution by committing evil to do good.

But that's not what this post is about.

This post is about how you really do get what you pay for. Knowing this is something that has helped me get through a lot of frustrating situations.

When ever you are dealing with someone, who just doesn't seem to be very good at their job, ask what incentives there is for them to actually be good at that job. If they excelled in that position, do you think they would hold it for very long? It turns out, the only people who tend to be in a position, are the one's barely competent to complete it without burning the business down. This is basically what is known as the Peter Principle.

Think of that crappy customer service you consistently get at whatever store you probably frequent because of the good prices. There too is a simple matter of economics.

Most people simply aren't willing to pay for a decent level of customer service.

Take on the other hand a product like Legos. The Lego company has impeccable customer service. If you purchased a set this month that was missing a piece and contacted them through their website, all you need to do is fill out a form, tell them what part number is missing and two weeks later a piece will be in your mailbox from their headquarters in Denmark (no shipping costs required! They will also be very apologetic by email and with the invoice enclosed with the piece).

Legos is over-priced plastic, and this is why they have the budget for good service. Simple fact. There are no free lunches. Everything comes at a cost. See also the success of Wal-mart over Target, Menard's over Scheels Hardware, made in China vs made in Japan. People usually want price vs quality.

So next time your peice of shit boss is being a douche bag, or your cranky next door neighbor is a prick, ask yourself. How old are they? How long have they been working to be where they are? If you can see how stupid they are acting, do you think you will remain below them for long? If your prick old neighbor is such a jerk; consider that at your stage in life your houseing situation is roughly equal to them, as you are in the same neighborhood.

Things are what they are for a reason. Not necessarily a good reason; but sometimes an unavoidable or inevitable reason.

Go easy on people man. We are all reacting to incentives, and the incentive not to be hated at is a weak one indeed. Especially when you keep it all inside. And being a prick and letting it all out isn't going to help anyone either.