The Technology That Gets You to Pay More & The Good News About Envy
Summary
Host Micah Ruthers explores whether reporting spam texts actually helps carriers block future scams. He then discusses surveillance pricing with Lindsay Owens, who explains how companies use data to charge different customers different prices and offers tips to combat this. The episode also features Stacey Kim, who argues that envy is a useful signal for identifying personal goals rather than a moral failing. Finally, the show explains the science behind why certain foods taste better when reheated the next day.
Topics discussed
Planet Visionaries Season 6 Introduction
Preview: Personalized pricing and envy
Sponsor: Quince clothing and home goods
How reporting spam texts improves filters
Introduction to surveillance pricing
Defining surveillance pricing with Lindsay Owens
How companies collect data for dynamic pricing
History of pricing from haggling to fixed tags
Modern examples: Hotels, Instacart, and AI
Corporate denial and technical jargon
Dynamic pricing in ride-sharing and scarcity
Dynamic pricing in non-scarce goods like food
Sponsor: Vinted for selling used clothes
Sponsor: Monarch money tracking app
Loyalty penalties and data collection risks
Legal gaps and need for consumer protection
Tips for comparison shopping and testing prices
Consumer revolts and corporate PR gaffes
Book promotion and segment wrap-up
Sponsors: Shopify and Amex Business Card
Introduction to the psychology of envy
Universal nature of comparison and envy
Envy as a useful signaling emotion
The four components of envy (SIRN)
Identifying intangible desires behind envy
Distinguishing envy from shame and stagnation
Recognizing envy in others and self
Using envy to deepen relationships
Envy as a guide to a meaningful life
Recap of the SIRN acronym for envy
Why food tastes better the next day
Show outro and final sponsor
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