There is a scripture that tells of a man who was cured of blindness, and then dismissed by skeptics. His retort "I don't know about all of that, but what I do know, I was blind, now I see."
To which I say, I don't know about all of your words and science, but what I do know is since I switched from regular milk to organic, I've lost weight, my headaches have stopped, and my cholesterol has dropped.
Desktops cost less to maintain. I can fix most problems on a desktop myself. I'm no computer genius, but I built a new desktop...and I can swap out any failed component for about a maximum of $100, including the motherboard. But my laptop I will have to send in for repair. Everything on a laptop is just jammed into a small space, which makes do-it yourself repairs very problematic.
Personally I think laptops are already outdated. Handle the heavy stuff on a desktop and maintain a tablet or netbook for lightweight editing of docs, reading attachments sent to you, email, and browsing. I find it difficult to work in cafes as well. I find it hard to believe that most cafe dwellers are running apps which are processor intensive and since more and more apps are moving to the cloud anyway laptops are increasingly becoming unnecessary.
This is a great article. I believe you are right in what you are saying. Our food choices can seem really complicated and the number of fad diets and conflicting advice floating about makes things even more complicated.
Keep it simple, rice and beans, oats and Kale. I like it.
I have been trying to keep my vegetarian diet as simple as possible. It certainly helps save money!
Well I'm off to read the book review mentioned in your article.
A helpful reader just emailed me to remind me that you probably won't ruin a desktop computer by spilling coffee on the keyboard, whereas you can easily destroy a laptop that way. That reminded me that I actually had a laptop ruined once when my dog walked over to where I was working and projectile vomited onto the keyboard.
Would that I had remembered before the article was published!
I can see the appeal of a laptop for certain. I actually need desk space in order to work - I find it offers really nice separation between work and the rest of my life. And because my husband owns his own business, we have servers running all the time in our house, so an extra room for work is simply a fact of life for us. But laptops do take up less room, that is for sure.
I was never a big coffee drinker then, but ever since I had the chance to drink one, I loved it. I am a coffee drinker but not that much of a coffee drinker who drinks several cups a day. I only drink whenever I have to go on duty at night. Coffee helps me stay awake and alert. The bad thing though is that coffee makes me get palpitations and my hands shake.
You have made some good points, and I’ve been thinking of switching to a desktop next time because it costs less and because I’ve been keeping my computer plugged in at my desk anyway. Plus a lot of web pages insist on assuming I have a bigger screen than I have. You make an additional point I hadn’t thought of which is better ergonomics.
However, I may stick with a laptop anyway just because it takes less energy to create and to run (and thus leads to less pollution). One thing you should know: you can plug a laptop computer into a wired Ethernet connection.
To answer your questions, I use a desktop computer at work and a laptop at home. I loved the laptop when I was participating in National Novel Writing Month and was meeting with others at coffee shops to write together. And I also love it for giving me a place to download pictures when I travel (though there are lots of other tools that can allow that). I definitely don’t have any special combination of computing power (except the power to not interfere with WiFi).
Why my next computer will be the first laptop I have ever owned:
1) Desktops generate a LOT of heat. I share a small room (6 feet by maybe 12 feet) with my husband that we use as an office. He has TWO laptops that usually run 24/7. The only time that room starts getting really warm is when my desktop has been on for a little while. We even purchased blackout blinds for the window in that room to keep out the heat from the sun. The extra warmth is fine in the winter but in the summer, that room has gotten so hot (upwards of 83+ degrees - we have a thermometer in that room) I have had to turn off my computer and physically leave the room. Which brings me to my next point....
2) If the space your computer is in becomes unconducive to working, you can pick up your computer and move elsewhere in your own home. Like I stated in the point above, the room could be at an unsuitable temperature. Or maybe someone else in the room has taken to chomping their gum loudly & you can't focus. Whatever the reason, you can pick up and move to the dining room table if you need to. Likewise, if you have children that insist on playing in the living room instead of right outside the office door, you can pick up and move to be near them.
3) Laptops can require less space, which costs less money. I know many people set up a laptop just as they would a desktop, and place the laptop in a permanent location, such as a desk in an office area. But, you don't have to do that if you don't want to. In an ideal world, I would have no paperwork and everything would be electronic. While I do have very little paperwork, if the aforementioned situation were really true, I would just need a space to sit my laptop on when I needed it (I am not one of those people that has to be online for hours on end). That space could be the kitchen table. It could be the coffee table. But, if I didn't want a desk, I would not HAVE to have one. If I didn't have a desk, I would not need the space required for a desk, i.e. either a wall of a larger room or an extra bedroom used as an office. Less space required for me to live in = less rent or mortgage I need to pay. Does this point seem like a bit of a stretch? Kind of, but think about it. I have seen many people buy a house with one more bedroom than they need so that room could be converted into an office. If they didn't need that extra bedroom, they could buy a smaller, more affordable house.
In the past, I have seriously resisted buying a laptop because it was more expensive and I felt like there was nothing I was lacking by getting a desktop. Now that I have realized the points above, when my desktop finally goes (knock on wood - the thing has lasted me at least 5 years and keeps on truckin'), I will be buying my first laptop with a huge smile on my face.
I agree with that statement. Why does this make everyone so angry with everyone else? Let it go, for gosh sakes! Who cares? If they want to do this, then let them do it! They have the freedom to do what they want!...sheesh...on with new subject, PLEASE!!!
I don't belong here based off the answer I'm about to give. I would tell the people I currently work with what I really think. I'd come in later than I already do. Being on time has always been my biggest flaw. I'm ten minutes late every day. Have been for the last twenty some years of my life. In a sense I'm on time depending on who you ask. I'd hire a personal trainer to help me rid the junk in my trunk. I'd personally chose a couple of families to help financially. A decent home, school, transportation. I'd invest in a nicer home in a nicer area. I'd buy a new car. Nothing grand but at least I'd be rid of my hail damaged car which I never repaired. It's been years since that hailstorm took place I'm pretty much the only person driving a car that looks like the lunar surface. I'd finish my education. I'd invest my money so that I'm secure for the rest of my life. I think I would eventually leave my job a few short weeks after winning to enjoy a cruise or a trip to Spain. Id probably be a bit more appealing-money does that-so instead having to go on these trips solo as I so often find myself today I'd probably acquire a friend or two.
the Noxzema face cleaning cream works wonders on sunburns!!!! it doesnt have the best smell but man does it soak in to hydrate your skin and relieve the pain. you can even see when it soaks into your skin cause the white of the face cream will disappear.
on a side note: the cream that doesnt soak into your skin gets flakey and it is slimey when you wash it off
Tosca, thank you for writing. Again, more mention about hydration. Since reader Paul added his tip about drinking more water, I have been more vigilant about it (and have not had a migraine).
Congratulations! That is a really strict-sounding diet, but being migraine-free for two years is wonderful. Thank you for writing and for adding your suggestions.
Here we are in 2011 and the 6% commission is alive and well. I think the information asymmetry still exists. Today, there is still important information that is difficult to get a hold of and compile related to market conditions. It is easy to search for current listings by many dimensions, which is very helpful to buyers and sellers. But what is hard is that there is no single place (unless you were to foot the bill for broker's account on the local MLS provider system) to get all the different characteristics to search/sort on, and to look up like info on past sales (to within the last 15 to 30 days). One has to seek out the information from several sources and not all of them are complete, surprisingly.
Agents have access to a single system that has all this info. Buyers can forgo the agent for searching for property, and can hire for fee or by the hour for other services (e.g. agent or lawyer for negotiations / closing, inspections). Sellers still have it tough to price it right and market it as well as a professional agent can.
I would prefer a competitive fee based system for the selling related services. Here are some with pricing I'm guessing at: Price determination - (use an appraiser) - $350. MLS listing - $300 for 30 days. Syndication of listing to multiple RE web sites (e.g. thru Postlets, FSBO) - $50. Professional Staging - $varies up to $10K. Professional Photos - $500. Signage - $300. Negotiation, Consulting, Legal - $150/hr. Brochures - $400 for a stack of 100. Hosting an Open House (if useful anymore) - $750+expenses. Answering service for inquiries and booking showings - $100/week.
There would be a lot more transparency and I believe there would be a ton of savings to the consumer.
Two basic points:
1) The study referenced in Freakonomics is based on a study that DOES compare apples to apples (unlike suggestions in some comments previously) and Realtors are coming out ahead on sale of their own homes.
2) Sellers' interests and listing agents' interests are not aligned, as the sweet talk from an agent would have one believe.
First, there is the issue of "correct price" as mentioned in the comments. Reality is that there is a broader range of possible prices than the agent would have you believe - think bell curve and the agent's recommended price landing on the left side below the mid point to attract more potential buyers.
They do this because, secondly, they have a lower risk tolerance for closing the deal than the homeowner. They risk getting zero compensation whereas the homeowner will still own the asset after the contract expires. As time passes, the agent will be investing additional effort and money in selling the property. This does get complicated by market direction, season, etc., but is generally true.
However, if this is the agent's home, these interests become aligned. The agent will benefit by seeking a higher price, knowing that it will take slightly longer to sell as fewer potential buyers will be prepared to make an offer.
Like most people you likely run into in your daily life, the majority of agents are likeable and generally trustworthy individuals. Because of the way the original post was provocatively worded, it sends folks in the industry onto the defensive. However, it is entirely separate from how agents are incented to behave, either consciously or intuitively. That is what the study from Freakonomics is pointing out.
The implication for the seller is that they need to do their own homework on price, determine their own risk tolerance for the sale, and not just settle for what the listing agent tells them. They have a decent chance of doing better if they are willing to take the additional risk.
I have issues with "waste" with extreme couponers. Taking 77 bottles of mustard is wasteful and taking out all the ibuprofen is wrong. The sin of gluttony can be applied to extreme couponers.
There's also a geographocal argument. If you live here in the UK, despite the existence of Craigslist sites for all the major cities, no one uses it. It's a largely redundant brand here in the UK. People choose Ebay every time, whether there's shipping or not.
I was brought up that you use moderation in all things. I remember back in the 1970's there was the same thing going on. Seems extreme couponing like other things goes in cycles.
Just like I was brought up reduce, reuse, recycle, duh, I'm living the 40's and 50's again! I think we just go through things with each new generation, excuse me please, while I grab my cane and hobble off now, oh, and if your extreme couponing, unless you are physically unfit, leave the handicapped zones for those that are handicapped. Many Thanks. Do love reading the posts.
I also do use coupons, if they are what I want, and I have them.
Mostly am a cook from scratch person.
I lost my job because of the current economy, but have had to live very frugally even before that. Live in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley, CA & have been able to buy 4lb. box of instant dry milk for $11.95 for the last 6-7 years. I'm the only one of my siblings that could tolerate reconstited dry milk growing up, & as an adult found it more convenient than liquid milk...no spoil, mix only as you need it, perfect for adding dry to coffee so it doesn't dilute the temp., & up 'til now at least no more costly than the liquid. But, last month it jumped to $18.95 a 4lb. box. I live in the middle of dairy country, a couple years ago they were dumping milk down the drain because they said the cost of production was higher than the profit. What a country! Throw away the excess instead of giving it to the poor or drying it for long term sustainability. Because I'm now unemployed, I can't buy milk at all at current prices. I think people would have driven to the dairy to buy milk @ a reasonable price, maybe even bought more if they would have offered instead of dumping it. Just a thot!
I had a bad bought of heat stroke as a child and unfortunately I can't handle heat without a horrible bought of "praying to the porcelain god" and just horrible light and sound sensitive headaches. Now that I'm an adult and much more careful about getting over heated this doesn't tend to happen. I am diligent for the most part about staying hydrated but If I slip and get moderately overheated and/or dehydrated I get migraines. It will be interesting to see if future research finds overheating/dehydration a common trigger for migraine, since a lot of the triggers for migraines can lead to dehydration i.e. chocolate and caffeine. I find that if I'm not properly hydrated that coffee can lead to a migraine. I also find that adding foods (milk - magnesium and potatoes or bananas - potassium) that have substances we tend to lose when over heated/dehydrated help when it's especially hot (I live in SoCal). I also keep a bottle of Pedialyte handy (a trick I learned from cooks in a restaurant I worked at in high school when the heat gets in to triple digits) helps both prevent and minimize symptoms.
It is nice that many Extreme commoners are so generous as to donate their purchases to charity (as you say many do) but what about the thousands of people right on the edge of poverty that need those deals too just to make ends meet? Maybe they should just resign themselves to let those generous Extreme commoners do their shopping for them and wait in line at the local charity for handouts huh?
Can you people please stop using buzz words like factory farming? You're giving the whole dairy industry a black eye by doing so. Conventional dairies use modern practices to produce the most milk possible with the lowest environmental impact. Check out dgalligan.com and click on the milk intensity link on the right side of the page to see how far the dairy industry has come. The big picture is that by 2050 there will be 9 billion people in this world. That's 3 billion more than today. We have to produce enough food to support more hungry mouths and it sure as hell won't be through organic practices.
There is a scripture that tells of a man who was cured of blindness, and then dismissed by skeptics. His retort "I don't know about all of that, but what I do know, I was blind, now I see."
To which I say, I don't know about all of your words and science, but what I do know is since I switched from regular milk to organic, I've lost weight, my headaches have stopped, and my cholesterol has dropped.
Desktops cost less to maintain. I can fix most problems on a desktop myself. I'm no computer genius, but I built a new desktop...and I can swap out any failed component for about a maximum of $100, including the motherboard. But my laptop I will have to send in for repair. Everything on a laptop is just jammed into a small space, which makes do-it yourself repairs very problematic.
Personally I think laptops are already outdated. Handle the heavy stuff on a desktop and maintain a tablet or netbook for lightweight editing of docs, reading attachments sent to you, email, and browsing. I find it difficult to work in cafes as well. I find it hard to believe that most cafe dwellers are running apps which are processor intensive and since more and more apps are moving to the cloud anyway laptops are increasingly becoming unnecessary.
Hi Philip,
This is a great article. I believe you are right in what you are saying. Our food choices can seem really complicated and the number of fad diets and conflicting advice floating about makes things even more complicated.
Keep it simple, rice and beans, oats and Kale. I like it.
I have been trying to keep my vegetarian diet as simple as possible. It certainly helps save money!
Well I'm off to read the book review mentioned in your article.
Kind regards,
A helpful reader just emailed me to remind me that you probably won't ruin a desktop computer by spilling coffee on the keyboard, whereas you can easily destroy a laptop that way. That reminded me that I actually had a laptop ruined once when my dog walked over to where I was working and projectile vomited onto the keyboard.
Would that I had remembered before the article was published!
I can see the appeal of a laptop for certain. I actually need desk space in order to work - I find it offers really nice separation between work and the rest of my life. And because my husband owns his own business, we have servers running all the time in our house, so an extra room for work is simply a fact of life for us. But laptops do take up less room, that is for sure.
I was never a big coffee drinker then, but ever since I had the chance to drink one, I loved it. I am a coffee drinker but not that much of a coffee drinker who drinks several cups a day. I only drink whenever I have to go on duty at night. Coffee helps me stay awake and alert. The bad thing though is that coffee makes me get palpitations and my hands shake.
You have made some good points, and I’ve been thinking of switching to a desktop next time because it costs less and because I’ve been keeping my computer plugged in at my desk anyway. Plus a lot of web pages insist on assuming I have a bigger screen than I have. You make an additional point I hadn’t thought of which is better ergonomics.
However, I may stick with a laptop anyway just because it takes less energy to create and to run (and thus leads to less pollution). One thing you should know: you can plug a laptop computer into a wired Ethernet connection.
To answer your questions, I use a desktop computer at work and a laptop at home. I loved the laptop when I was participating in National Novel Writing Month and was meeting with others at coffee shops to write together. And I also love it for giving me a place to download pictures when I travel (though there are lots of other tools that can allow that). I definitely don’t have any special combination of computing power (except the power to not interfere with WiFi).
I prefer a desktop myself... but I have resigned myself to eventually needing a laptop or some handheld device for work.
Why my next computer will be the first laptop I have ever owned:
1) Desktops generate a LOT of heat. I share a small room (6 feet by maybe 12 feet) with my husband that we use as an office. He has TWO laptops that usually run 24/7. The only time that room starts getting really warm is when my desktop has been on for a little while. We even purchased blackout blinds for the window in that room to keep out the heat from the sun. The extra warmth is fine in the winter but in the summer, that room has gotten so hot (upwards of 83+ degrees - we have a thermometer in that room) I have had to turn off my computer and physically leave the room. Which brings me to my next point....
2) If the space your computer is in becomes unconducive to working, you can pick up your computer and move elsewhere in your own home. Like I stated in the point above, the room could be at an unsuitable temperature. Or maybe someone else in the room has taken to chomping their gum loudly & you can't focus. Whatever the reason, you can pick up and move to the dining room table if you need to. Likewise, if you have children that insist on playing in the living room instead of right outside the office door, you can pick up and move to be near them.
3) Laptops can require less space, which costs less money. I know many people set up a laptop just as they would a desktop, and place the laptop in a permanent location, such as a desk in an office area. But, you don't have to do that if you don't want to. In an ideal world, I would have no paperwork and everything would be electronic. While I do have very little paperwork, if the aforementioned situation were really true, I would just need a space to sit my laptop on when I needed it (I am not one of those people that has to be online for hours on end). That space could be the kitchen table. It could be the coffee table. But, if I didn't want a desk, I would not HAVE to have one. If I didn't have a desk, I would not need the space required for a desk, i.e. either a wall of a larger room or an extra bedroom used as an office. Less space required for me to live in = less rent or mortgage I need to pay. Does this point seem like a bit of a stretch? Kind of, but think about it. I have seen many people buy a house with one more bedroom than they need so that room could be converted into an office. If they didn't need that extra bedroom, they could buy a smaller, more affordable house.
In the past, I have seriously resisted buying a laptop because it was more expensive and I felt like there was nothing I was lacking by getting a desktop. Now that I have realized the points above, when my desktop finally goes (knock on wood - the thing has lasted me at least 5 years and keeps on truckin'), I will be buying my first laptop with a huge smile on my face.
I agree with that statement. Why does this make everyone so angry with everyone else? Let it go, for gosh sakes! Who cares? If they want to do this, then let them do it! They have the freedom to do what they want!...sheesh...on with new subject, PLEASE!!!
I don't belong here based off the answer I'm about to give. I would tell the people I currently work with what I really think. I'd come in later than I already do. Being on time has always been my biggest flaw. I'm ten minutes late every day. Have been for the last twenty some years of my life. In a sense I'm on time depending on who you ask. I'd hire a personal trainer to help me rid the junk in my trunk. I'd personally chose a couple of families to help financially. A decent home, school, transportation. I'd invest in a nicer home in a nicer area. I'd buy a new car. Nothing grand but at least I'd be rid of my hail damaged car which I never repaired. It's been years since that hailstorm took place I'm pretty much the only person driving a car that looks like the lunar surface. I'd finish my education. I'd invest my money so that I'm secure for the rest of my life. I think I would eventually leave my job a few short weeks after winning to enjoy a cruise or a trip to Spain. Id probably be a bit more appealing-money does that-so instead having to go on these trips solo as I so often find myself today I'd probably acquire a friend or two.
the Noxzema face cleaning cream works wonders on sunburns!!!! it doesnt have the best smell but man does it soak in to hydrate your skin and relieve the pain. you can even see when it soaks into your skin cause the white of the face cream will disappear.
on a side note: the cream that doesnt soak into your skin gets flakey and it is slimey when you wash it off
Tosca, thank you for writing. Again, more mention about hydration. Since reader Paul added his tip about drinking more water, I have been more vigilant about it (and have not had a migraine).
Congratulations! That is a really strict-sounding diet, but being migraine-free for two years is wonderful. Thank you for writing and for adding your suggestions.
Here we are in 2011 and the 6% commission is alive and well. I think the information asymmetry still exists. Today, there is still important information that is difficult to get a hold of and compile related to market conditions. It is easy to search for current listings by many dimensions, which is very helpful to buyers and sellers. But what is hard is that there is no single place (unless you were to foot the bill for broker's account on the local MLS provider system) to get all the different characteristics to search/sort on, and to look up like info on past sales (to within the last 15 to 30 days). One has to seek out the information from several sources and not all of them are complete, surprisingly.
Agents have access to a single system that has all this info. Buyers can forgo the agent for searching for property, and can hire for fee or by the hour for other services (e.g. agent or lawyer for negotiations / closing, inspections). Sellers still have it tough to price it right and market it as well as a professional agent can.
I would prefer a competitive fee based system for the selling related services. Here are some with pricing I'm guessing at: Price determination - (use an appraiser) - $350. MLS listing - $300 for 30 days. Syndication of listing to multiple RE web sites (e.g. thru Postlets, FSBO) - $50. Professional Staging - $varies up to $10K. Professional Photos - $500. Signage - $300. Negotiation, Consulting, Legal - $150/hr. Brochures - $400 for a stack of 100. Hosting an Open House (if useful anymore) - $750+expenses. Answering service for inquiries and booking showings - $100/week.
There would be a lot more transparency and I believe there would be a ton of savings to the consumer.
Two basic points:
1) The study referenced in Freakonomics is based on a study that DOES compare apples to apples (unlike suggestions in some comments previously) and Realtors are coming out ahead on sale of their own homes.
2) Sellers' interests and listing agents' interests are not aligned, as the sweet talk from an agent would have one believe.
First, there is the issue of "correct price" as mentioned in the comments. Reality is that there is a broader range of possible prices than the agent would have you believe - think bell curve and the agent's recommended price landing on the left side below the mid point to attract more potential buyers.
They do this because, secondly, they have a lower risk tolerance for closing the deal than the homeowner. They risk getting zero compensation whereas the homeowner will still own the asset after the contract expires. As time passes, the agent will be investing additional effort and money in selling the property. This does get complicated by market direction, season, etc., but is generally true.
However, if this is the agent's home, these interests become aligned. The agent will benefit by seeking a higher price, knowing that it will take slightly longer to sell as fewer potential buyers will be prepared to make an offer.
Like most people you likely run into in your daily life, the majority of agents are likeable and generally trustworthy individuals. Because of the way the original post was provocatively worded, it sends folks in the industry onto the defensive. However, it is entirely separate from how agents are incented to behave, either consciously or intuitively. That is what the study from Freakonomics is pointing out.
The implication for the seller is that they need to do their own homework on price, determine their own risk tolerance for the sale, and not just settle for what the listing agent tells them. They have a decent chance of doing better if they are willing to take the additional risk.
I like the idea of watching a documentary about fatherhood .... that's something any dad would probably enjoy.
I have issues with "waste" with extreme couponers. Taking 77 bottles of mustard is wasteful and taking out all the ibuprofen is wrong. The sin of gluttony can be applied to extreme couponers.
There's also a geographocal argument. If you live here in the UK, despite the existence of Craigslist sites for all the major cities, no one uses it. It's a largely redundant brand here in the UK. People choose Ebay every time, whether there's shipping or not.
I was brought up that you use moderation in all things. I remember back in the 1970's there was the same thing going on. Seems extreme couponing like other things goes in cycles.
Just like I was brought up reduce, reuse, recycle, duh, I'm living the 40's and 50's again! I think we just go through things with each new generation, excuse me please, while I grab my cane and hobble off now, oh, and if your extreme couponing, unless you are physically unfit, leave the handicapped zones for those that are handicapped. Many Thanks. Do love reading the posts.
I also do use coupons, if they are what I want, and I have them.
Mostly am a cook from scratch person.
I lost my job because of the current economy, but have had to live very frugally even before that. Live in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley, CA & have been able to buy 4lb. box of instant dry milk for $11.95 for the last 6-7 years. I'm the only one of my siblings that could tolerate reconstited dry milk growing up, & as an adult found it more convenient than liquid milk...no spoil, mix only as you need it, perfect for adding dry to coffee so it doesn't dilute the temp., & up 'til now at least no more costly than the liquid. But, last month it jumped to $18.95 a 4lb. box. I live in the middle of dairy country, a couple years ago they were dumping milk down the drain because they said the cost of production was higher than the profit. What a country! Throw away the excess instead of giving it to the poor or drying it for long term sustainability. Because I'm now unemployed, I can't buy milk at all at current prices. I think people would have driven to the dairy to buy milk @ a reasonable price, maybe even bought more if they would have offered instead of dumping it. Just a thot!
I had a bad bought of heat stroke as a child and unfortunately I can't handle heat without a horrible bought of "praying to the porcelain god" and just horrible light and sound sensitive headaches. Now that I'm an adult and much more careful about getting over heated this doesn't tend to happen. I am diligent for the most part about staying hydrated but If I slip and get moderately overheated and/or dehydrated I get migraines. It will be interesting to see if future research finds overheating/dehydration a common trigger for migraine, since a lot of the triggers for migraines can lead to dehydration i.e. chocolate and caffeine. I find that if I'm not properly hydrated that coffee can lead to a migraine. I also find that adding foods (milk - magnesium and potatoes or bananas - potassium) that have substances we tend to lose when over heated/dehydrated help when it's especially hot (I live in SoCal). I also keep a bottle of Pedialyte handy (a trick I learned from cooks in a restaurant I worked at in high school when the heat gets in to triple digits) helps both prevent and minimize symptoms.
It is nice that many Extreme commoners are so generous as to donate their purchases to charity (as you say many do) but what about the thousands of people right on the edge of poverty that need those deals too just to make ends meet? Maybe they should just resign themselves to let those generous Extreme commoners do their shopping for them and wait in line at the local charity for handouts huh?
Can you people please stop using buzz words like factory farming? You're giving the whole dairy industry a black eye by doing so. Conventional dairies use modern practices to produce the most milk possible with the lowest environmental impact. Check out dgalligan.com and click on the milk intensity link on the right side of the page to see how far the dairy industry has come. The big picture is that by 2050 there will be 9 billion people in this world. That's 3 billion more than today. We have to produce enough food to support more hungry mouths and it sure as hell won't be through organic practices.