I just got back from a few days in the Mecca of start-ups. They do things differently over there. Well they used to, till globalisation made us all the same. SCRIPTING FOR PRAISE Last week, while making a cardholder-not-present transaction with an American business, my card was declined. Twice. I told the customer service person … Continue reading Customer service stories from America
Tag: technology
Unflattered by imitation
Luxury marques trade partly on the tangible benefits of craftsmanship, provenance and history, and partly on exclusivity (i.e. some can only aspire to them not afford them) and the brand name's signalling value. While discussing the face-off between the democratic web and the exclusive nature of luxury, in an earlier post, I wrote that the … Continue reading Unflattered by imitation
Pretty and other things about tech wading into luxury
I see a lot of chatter on Twitter about how some lollipop/ icecream/ sundae update on Android doesn't work on this device or that from different manufacturers. Then there are the workarounds, the fixes that one needs to learn, and consequent boasts on Twitter. And the many exhortations to do factory reset and start from … Continue reading Pretty and other things about tech wading into luxury
Wearable tech’s luxury and fashion challenge
"Here's the only thing you need to know about wearable punditry: No one knows anything. Zip. This is a market that barely exists.", said technology columnist Christopher Mims recently. Google Glass, a high profile early avatar of wearable tech, had made an appearance in New York Fashion Week in 2012's showing of Diane von Furstenberg's … Continue reading Wearable tech’s luxury and fashion challenge
The French Luxury Consumer: Notes from a day in Paris
[View the story "The French Luxury Consumer (Luxury Society Keynote Series)" on Storify]
Technology and taboos redefined – part two
A friend recently lamented that she was unable to reach a client on any of the three available contacts she had for him. "Ah, modern communication!", she quipped. It set me thinking. About two conflicting phenomena in my life. First, that I have 5 separate email accounts on my iDevices. I separate different threads of … Continue reading Technology and taboos redefined – part two
Technology and taboos redefined
Recently I met with some friends after a considerable hiatus. Meanwhile they had had a baby. I have kept up with the news and have watched the baby grow up through the pictures and updates the friends share on Facebook. Several times in the conversation, we all made casual references to what we know about … Continue reading Technology and taboos redefined
Four For Friday (17)
This week’s eclectic, interesting reads: At the cusp of technology and regulation, Matthew C Nisbet argues why scientists must join food activists in examining regulation. This in the context of GE crops. The designer of all things i - Sir Jonathan iVe, oops, Ive - on his quest for simplicity, and why simplicity isn't simple. … Continue reading Four For Friday (17)
The future of “digital”…
.. is actually in "meatspace". Why? Because this wisdom that always holds good: it's when you deliver that counts. https://storify.com/shefaly/the-future-of-digital.js?header=false%5BView the story "The future of "digital"..." on Storify]
The Power of Us
Summer in India brings not only juicy mangoes but also the prospect of frequent planned and unplanned power cuts. The euphemism "load shedding" tries to hide the fact that the grid is unable to shoulder the demand for electricity. This demand is rising with India's rapid economic growth. This economic growth also means that fewer … Continue reading The Power of Us
