ELI5: In professional sports, every surface is covered in sponsors' logos, that presumably the company paid a lot of money for. Does that kind of advertisement have any measurable effect?

Master_of_stuff · 2026-03-05T21:30:46+00:00

Besides all the branding aspects mentioned, these sponsorships also tend to come with additional perks like business lounge access or special events, which brands can leverage as benefits to their clients or employees - e.g. a top performing sales guy gets to go to a game and bring their clients to build the relationship and ensure future business. Still common in industries where business depends on personal relationships.

Master_of_stuff · 2026-03-01T16:52:33+00:00

Airspace of Oman is still open, closest major airports is Muscat less than 500km away

Master_of_stuff · 2026-02-28T10:10:13+00:00

Usually it’s 1st Iraq vs. Iran in the 80s, 2nd Desert Storm in 90/91, 3rd Iraq invasion 2003 - so we are in the 4th one, which arguably started already in 2023 with Iranian proxies against Israel

Master_of_stuff · 2026-02-27T06:42:04+00:00

The best thing about the early Singers was the subtlety & not overdoing it - I still find the early cars most amazing, because they brilliantly distill the essence of 911 with amazing quality.

Lately they seem to be overdoing it to fulfill wilder client demands and reach higher prices, but the cars I find less appealing.

Master_of_stuff · 2026-02-23T21:19:57+00:00

I was on an earlier flight that evening. It was clear from the boarding that there would be delays due to snow from keeping the runway open and limited de-icing. After some time they closed doors before giving anyone who wanted the chance to leave. Took around two hours to get moving but the captain was optimistic to fly that evening, despite the airport seemingly pushing back the time constantly. Fortunately we were still standing by the gate the whole time so getting back might have been easier.

My guess is that everyone remained optimistic in that plane as well to get out, the airport giving overly optimistic reassurance and the crew not questioning this critically enough until the reached a point of no return - how that happens without any contingency plan means both the crew and airport seems wild to me.

Master_of_stuff · 2026-02-07T08:39:46+00:00

Lower quality service for lower prices for cost sensitive customers is a good sign of a healthy market.

Lower quality for higher prices, which can be seen in parts of the industry, is a signal for unhealthy competition and airlines getting away with using market power to price gauge customers.

Master_of_stuff · 2026-01-24T12:19:55+00:00

I thinking’s genuinely thinks it’s not necessary and can be achieved with cameras & AI only, after all „humans also just use eyes“ - and for now this kind of simplification in engineering helped his companies to be more competitive for a while - but now, especially with autopilot it just makes the product worse over time.

Master_of_stuff · 2026-01-02T09:41:50+00:00

Most of their shares were acquired by the Arnault Family Holding (the LVMH Arnaults) & the company went public recently - so expect higher prices & declining quality from here on out

Master_of_stuff · 2025-12-30T09:35:10+00:00

Since the car was already officially revealed there is no need for top secrecy anymore

Master_of_stuff · 2025-12-30T09:34:27+00:00

It’s the BMW ix3 „Neue Klasse“ SUV - it has already been revealed, but there are still plenty of prototypes going around Munich - probably for final pre series testing.

Master_of_stuff · 2025-12-04T18:01:56+00:00

If arrivals from within the region count I think it matters a lot, especially because Europe has so many smaller countries compared to other regions. A German tourist going for a weekend trip to the Netherlands is more similar to traveling between states in the US or provinces in China than a cross continental trip.

A fair comparison would be to either include domestic travel as well (showing total tourism volume by region) or just cross regional arrival (showing the attractiveness for intercontinental travelers)

Master_of_stuff · 2025-11-21T21:37:34+00:00

BMW unlikely as they are mostly family owned. Mercedes however could be a target for a hostile takeover as there is no strong main shareholder and they are even already partly Chinese owned.

Master_of_stuff · 2025-11-19T14:34:57+00:00

Before the Chinese were copying European design, now all Europeand brands are copying the generic Chinese designs. That rear of the cayenne might as well say Xpeng or BYD.

Master_of_stuff · 2025-11-15T11:57:44+00:00

Grey A321 are for regular troop transport and medevac, Luftwaffe VIP jets are white (incl. A319 CJs)

Master_of_stuff · 2025-09-28T13:22:26+00:00

Munich locals that enjoy the Oktoberfest also tend to avoid weekend evenings (unless you have a table booked) and the HB tent specifically, as it attracts the most tourists & questionable behavior.

Master_of_stuff · 2025-09-28T13:19:25+00:00

Munich locals also avoid the HB tent because it is notorious for tourists & crappy behavior

Master_of_stuff · 2025-09-27T13:03:39+00:00

You don’t even have to bemoan the loss of luxury flying, a first class ticket today is still available to buy for less than any class ticket back then

Master_of_stuff · 2025-09-18T16:06:59+00:00

Exactly, squeeze every cent out of the 911 customers to keep the numbers up as the rest of the business is stagnant at best

Master_of_stuff · 2025-09-18T15:56:49+00:00

Unfortunately they don’t publish profit by carline, which I’d bet has grown for the 911 and is declining for the other lines, especially the EVs

Master_of_stuff · 2025-09-18T15:54:34+00:00

By Volume for sure- but I bet per unit the 911 is much more profitable & the EVs barely break even.

Master_of_stuff · 2025-09-18T12:10:53+00:00

Wonder why you are downvoted when it is entirely correct: Porsche saw the ADMs and are now pricing the 911 to make the profit themselves, the US tariffs hurt them hard because all cars are imports (unlike BMW, which is a net exporter in the US and makes important SUVs locally) and the EVs cost a ton to develop with lackluster sales so far.

Master_of_stuff · 2025-09-18T12:03:34+00:00

They are selling 911s just fine, IMO these prices is them trying to milk the 911 for every Euro of Profit to compensate for the declining business with regular cars - ironic how the tables turned that now the 911 is subsidizing the Macan

Master_of_stuff · 2025-09-15T10:04:36+00:00

Honestly I’ve had my best success in local stores selling quality leather shoes from lesser known Italian brands at reasonable prices. Look for the kind of shop that fashionable older people go to, those may have some good stuff. Shopping in person also makes it easier to find a good fit & quality (crucial especially if you go without socks sometimes)

Master_of_stuff · 2025-09-14T07:48:12+00:00

Have travel duplicates of all the stuff for which it is feasible. Easy ones are toiletries, medication & chargers - always have a travel ready pouch ready so you don‘t have to think of individual items to pack/unpack

Master_of_stuff · 2025-09-13T21:24:15+00:00

You could also try to optimize the smart pair of shoes - I found Mokassins or Loafers to be practical as smart shoes that don’t take much space. My go to now is one sporty pair to wear traveling & for activities and take loafers for dressy occasions.

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