American Express: Selling What-Ifs
Yesterday, I applied for an American Express Gold Card (Japan).
The rep explained to me that in case I got hospitalized during a trip overseas, I could call the hotline of theirs to have them pay for my health care expenses.
He explained also to me that in case I use a taxicab affiliated to them, I could have some discount for the ride.
Also, for an additional $10, in case I lost my wallet, they would insure me and cover the damage incurred.
The rest, I don’t remember but I believe that’s of the same order.
They are selling nothing but what-ifs, don’ they? “Sir, what if you lose your wallet; what if you get sick ; what if you have reserved and paid for a seat at a concert but can’t suddenly go on day d. Etc… ” what if… what if …what if…
To add to the emptiness, each what-if has some pre-conditions to qualify to, in order for you to get covered and reimbursed.
For example, you don’t get covered if your not-going-to-the-concert was not caused by reasons out of your control.
The cynicism of the situation is that the fees for your gold membership is not a what-if: I will pay around $250 for one year.
Borrowing Money VS Raising Money
The Computational Society BIOS
Borrowing money is the action of taking money at some point in time, and give it back and a little more at some other point in time later.
Raising money is the action of taking money at some point in time, and give something back at some other point in time later.
The key here is that ‘something‘ is in principle different of money.
But what do these 2 operations mean within the Computational Society?
Well, those who borrow Money are those who are used by Money: they are the ones who execute tasks quantified by Money. They are the SLAVEs, if I take the metaphor of a Mother Board.
Those who raise Money are those who use Money; they are the ones who instruct tasks, that they quantify themselves with Money. They are the MASTERs, if I take the metaphor of a Mother Board.
So, you see, you are either the one who use Money or the one used by Money.
I would add that, for each money borrower you have a money raiser.
To conclude, try to always be on the side of the Money raiser; otherwise you may well be nothing more than a Money SLAVE … already.
Suica Card In The Subway
Suica Card is a smartcard that you charge with money to pay for the subway in Tokyo for example; you just have to touch the card reader with it and you allowed in the embarkment home.
If you pass, this information is recorded. And that’s money which plays this role, because you card is withdrawn a certain amount and the reader is credited of the same amount.
This makes me think of Money as a way to record Information, you?
