Bill’s Content

[youtube]iP0ZFuIW3TQ[/youtube]

You think I’m kidding with this headline, but I’m not.

For those who didn’t bother watching the video, I’ll explain all you need to know in order to understand this post. In this video game, different characters have different levels of power and weaponry. Basically, the longer you can play and survive, the more power and weaponry you have. In this clip, a new character runs across a character who loaded for bear. The new guy — “Noob” — is too dumb to realize he doesn’t stand a chance and enthusiastically attacks. His vastly superior opponent just stands there and takes the blows because he knows this gujy can’t possibly harm him. He finds the challange amusing. When the player’s phone rings in real life, he goes and answers it. He loses track of the time and comes back just as “Noob” is delivering the death blow. “Noob” rides away with all the weaponry and enhanced power level.

How is this NOT a parable for the market-based economy? This is why — despite my general dislike of Wal-Mart these days — I’m not jumping on the bandwagon and endorsing “big box” legislation. Wal-Mart is getting fat and stupid, and their decision making is proving it. Their stock price is based on constant expansion and cutting operating costs by screwing over workers. That can only go on forever. Meanwhile competitors like ShopKo and Target are bringing in customers willing to pay a few pennies more for laundry detergent in exchange for cleaner stores, fully stocked shelves, open cash registers and plenty of service.

Do not underestimate the ability of unbeatable mega-corporations to make mistakes. Think IBM disregarding the threat from Apple and then IBM and Apple disregarding the threat from Microsoft. Think about what’s happening now as newspapers and broadcasters disregard the potential threat from the Internet as a provider of news and entertainment.

Think of the American automobile industry. Think of the fact the Atari used to rule the home video game market.

[tags]youtube,world of warcraft,ballad of the noob,free markets,Wal-Mart,Target[/tags]