Links for October 9, 2015
‘We Value Experience’: Can a Secret Society Become a Business?
But a funny thing happened along the way of this experience spreading organically through word-of-mouth: People clammed up. “If we could reach our capacity, we’d be doing fine,” says Hull. “But we’re at 15% capacity.” Rather than casting a wide net, compeers became ultra-selective to the point of stasis. Some of this was faulty design (“Absolute Discretion” doesn’t exactly invite openness), some was the normal curative process that comes with forming a social group—only the insane invite all their friends to every party. However, no new members walking through the door meant no new money coming in meant something was broken.
Liechtenstein for hire at $70,000 a night
The principality of Liechtenstein has decided to make itself available to private clients, from $70,000 (£43,000) a night, complete with customised street signs and temporary currency.... The price tag includes accommodation for 150 people, although the 35,000 inhabitants would remain. Any personal touches, such as an individual logo created out of candle wax or a customised medieval procession, come at an extra, undisclosed cost.
The One-Percenting of Disney: Who Loses, Who Wins
A friend of mine, someone who is passionate about Disney history and deeply respectful of the company’s culture, sadly reported on Facebook that it would cost $750 to take his family to a Disney park for a single day. So he just won’t go anymore.... As more parents refuse to pay Disney’s usurious crowd-control prices, fewer kids will visit and build that brand loyalty. Just as bad, the families that do go today will complain bitterly about what it cost them to participate in this great American tradition. The more young people don’t care or bring home negative family memories, the bigger the risk that the current generation will burn out on Disney.