Monday, September 2, 2002

Scientifically Priced Retail Goods. Using sophisticated systems from a handful of small but fast-growing technology companies, retailers are making price decisions more scientifically and less by gut instinct. By Bob Tedechi. [New York Times: Technology] Be careful with what you ask for. I still remember the hype about airline "yield management" systems and how they were going to optimize the fleecing of the flying public, leading to much higher airline profits and the end of oversupply. So we have the yield management arms race moving on to retail. One difference is that flight seats lose all their value at the moment the flight leaves the gate, while retail goods lose most of their value gradually (but quite rapidly, consider back-to-school supplies one month from now). 4:47:18 PM

Scientists Brew Real Joint Juice. Lab-engineered tissue that looks and acts like human cartilage promises to fix injured joints and provide a true cure for osteoarthritis. And it could put shark hunters out of jobs. By Elliot Borin. [Wired News] Hope for the over-the-hill skier? Probably not anytime soon. In the meanwhile, strength and low-impact endurance training seem to be keeping the old knees in better shape that they have been in 20 years. 4:34:19 PM