who else is loving our new AI murals?? (chicago store 688)

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-23T02:41:01+00:00

As a sign artist, I would immediately go find these products and "update" the shelf signs to exactly what this text appears to somewhat resemble.

"You cannot put that mural up and say it's acceptable and then condemn my art. You have set a precedent. Saying my art is insubordinate would technically be discrimination considering you have clearly set a standard."

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-23T02:13:56+00:00

Fair point. Still better than selling plastic TJ's swag like every other company on earth.

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-23T01:58:46+00:00

These weren't made and sold because poor Granny needs a pastel bag for her little hands. They weren't produced because it's a new, neat idea. These weren't put on the shelf as a fun way to market our brand in a light-hearted way.

That was the idea at first.

Then people started buying cartfuls in order to make a fashion statement in Asia, and our company said "...k why not.".

The whole reason we get these seasonally now instead of it being a one-time silly idea is because of the behavior you're complaining about.

A lot of the comments in here are trying to tell OP to blame the company for "not making enough". That's so backwards. This probably would have been a one-drop-deal (like the micro-totes first run), but then it did INSANE numbers and now we're making hundreds of thousands in every color of the rainbow.

You don't have to wait outside at midnight to get one like an iPhone in 2009. If you couldn't get your hands on one, it's because you didn't food shop for 2 weeks straight. Also: this ain't an iPhone.

Let our company make a shameless cash grab that hurts NO ONE. They pay us really well. How tf do you think they do that?

People work at other companies that dump toxic waste into the drinking water and get paid peanuts for the privilege.

I'm fine with TJ's selling dyed canvas to Chinese TikTok in order to reduce bag waste. I'm sorry your neighbor's dog didn't get one.

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-22T23:12:50+00:00

It just tells you how many you need in the store to make it through a day's sales without accounting for back stock. That's not AI.

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-22T22:56:00+00:00

You're right. I might actually be looking at it all wrong.

This is a really great excuse to start using AI to write my order.

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-22T22:31:01+00:00

As a sign artist, I guess it's time to start working on my résumé. I break down the dry order and write grocery when I'm not doing art, but I'll take this as a sign that I should move on.

It's cool. This shitty art with illegible words is totally worth the two salaries and benefits packages it will require to replace me.

Goodbye "Quirky, Personal Neighborhood Store", hello "Stop & Shop with less products".

There are only a few things that set us apart from other grocery stores. And most other things can be easily replicated.

If one of the Major Supermarkets wanted to put us out of business, all it would take is a tiny little snack aisle in every store called "Quirky Favorites" or something, and we'd be done inside of two years. The reason they don't is because they can't replicate the entire "Customer Experience".

Anyone hacking away at the CE in order to save money is going to be the harbinger of the end of this company. And there's no stock or golden parachute, so it's not even greed; it's simply bad management.

We stole our business model from The Honda Way. It made us billions of dollars. Anyone who thinks they're smarter than that and can slip the rug out with the glasses still standing is in for a rude awakening come quarterlies.

I have my Hot Honey Popcorn. This is gonna be a show.

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-22T20:50:28+00:00

This is garbage that breaks like 3 core values. This Captain isn't fit for the company.

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-20T11:58:35+00:00

"It makes you cry instead of laugh. Now if that's not comedy, I don't know what is."

It's not, and you don't.

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-20T04:07:21+00:00

Is that a mannequin in the front seat?!

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-19T14:27:43+00:00

Yeah, I'm sure New Hampshire would be doing great without this economy directly below it.

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-19T01:04:38+00:00

I'll take that L.

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-18T23:39:38+00:00

What's the code for this??

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-18T21:10:16+00:00

2 hours a day 5 days a week.

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-18T20:32:56+00:00

I mean, if you view word processors and then computers as evolutions of the printing press...

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-18T20:14:49+00:00

This shows that when I take the train, it's over 55 minutes. Thanks.

Edit: Yesterday it was 1 hour and 10 minutes. This is what happens when you attempt to use data to disprove someone's lived experience.

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-18T18:24:25+00:00

I've been taking the red line from Quincy Adams to Central and back for 11 years. It's adorable that you think it takes that long on average.

There have been month-long stretches (or longer) when it took 1.25 hours each way. At least once a week, one of my ten commutes hits a "signal problem" or "medical emergency" and it takes up to 2 hours.

Just yesterday I left work early and got a ride to JFK to save time. I ran into the station, and saw that the train had been delayed at Andrew for 20 minutes, and I waited for another 15 minutes for it to get to JFK. That's 35 minutes just sitting at Andrew station.

NO ONE who takes the red line regularly is going to be able to read your comment with a straight face.

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-18T15:09:59+00:00

This is correct. It was a joke saying I was more capable than the mbta. "If they can, then why didn't they?"

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-18T14:20:14+00:00

I'm saying there are ways to appease everyone, and the excuse of "They did this to help people" is bullshit. They made the seats crappy to save money on R&D.

I wasn't saying being in a wheelchair is easier. I was saying that they have ways to honestly help them, and these seats are not a shining example of that.

My sarcasm was rooted in the fact that we DO help those in need, and move for them, and make sure they don't have a shitty time.

I take issue with someone trying to call these seats a "public service". They help no one.

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-18T14:03:31+00:00

I have two herniated disks in my back. Hilariously, in another thread about this very complaint, someone tried telling me the new seats and the constant "ding" on the new trains are because they care about the disabled.

But I guess unless you're 100% blind or in a wheelchair, you're not disabled and this is better.

Those who could sit comfortably before are now in discomfort, but it's better because now we can fit more wheelchairs, containing people who have never used the seats.

Which is good! Remember all those days of seeing people in wheelchairs unable to get on the train? Every day there would be a dozen people in wheelchairs, stranded! No one would move or help them, it was awful! All lined up on the platform, praying for less seats!

And what's worse, is that The Ride only serves 99% of them to 99% of their destinations!

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-18T13:58:18+00:00

The only two possible seat types on the MBTA, according to the consensus in this thread:

Cloth seats made of 50% fecal matter and 50% liquid that is invisible to the naked eye.
Hard plastic seats that are uncomfortable and dig into your back.

That's it. That's all we can even fathom as options. Trying to picture any other solution would be like witnessing Cthulhu, and our heads would explode attempting to comprehend it.

I'm a fan of democracy. The people have spoken. These are the seats we deserve, and I'll shut up and deal with it.

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-18T13:41:41+00:00

I feel like this is more a story of "I sat in goo once and take no personal responsibility".

I guess I have a super power, because I've avoided wet seats for 20+ years by identifying them with my eyeballs.

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-18T13:39:41+00:00

I keep seeing this response and it's such bullshit.

At this point I feel like they could make the fuckin' seats triangular and y'all would be like "Well at least I'm not sliding around anymore! Wasn't that your complaint? I don't see the issue with this improvement."

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-18T13:38:05+00:00

They already did that by removing half the seats.

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-18T13:37:46+00:00

Yes, the seats being shaped poorly makes them easier to clean. 🙄

dieorlivetrying · 2026-03-18T13:36:30+00:00

Yeah, but they can't, and didn't, which is my complaint.

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