General Discussion

cthulu2016

(10,960 posts) Wed Oct 23, 2013, 01:12 PM Oct 2013

Obamacare roll-out and Christmas "Hot Toys"

I wonder about the effect of news coverage of F'd up distribution/accessibility on public perception of the desirability of a thing.

If Disney debuted a new ride and screwed up the ride in some way that caused eight hour lines that would reflect poorly on Disney, but would benefit the brand of the ride itself.

Same thing with the annual "hot toys." News stories about parents punching each other out over the last "Tickle Me Elmo" make people think of the toy as more desirable.

Restaurants where you need reservations a month in advance, sold out shows, etc..

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Obamacare roll-out and Christmas "Hot Toys" (Original Post) cthulu2016 Oct 2013 OP

Was kinda thinking along the same lines... the psychology of such events The Velveteen Ocelot Oct 2013 #1

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,806 posts)

1. Was kinda thinking along the same lines... the psychology of such events

Reply to cthulu2016 (Original post)

Wed Oct 23, 2013, 01:26 PM

Oct 2013

suggests that if something is scarce or hard to obtain it becomes more rather than less desirable. Some recent polls indicate that public perception of the ACA is improving notwithstanding the problems with the web site. Remember how everybody ran out and bought Twinkies when Hostess announced they would stop making them? They were probably purchased by a lot of people who didn't even particularly like Twinkies. So, because things that are hard to get are often seen as more desirable, I suspect that the glitchy website may have perversely increased the popularity of the ACA.

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