Starbucks Delocator
April 8th, 2005
An interesting concept – enabling consumer choice by listing Starbucks alternatives, allowing users to search by zip code. Users can also enter new independent coffeeshops with reviews, etc. The site is part of an art exhibit, details available.
It raises the question: is the solution to ‘better’ marketplaces (which here means independent, as well as just better cafés) to educate the consumer? Or is it a supply side, or regulatory issue? Though I know how people feel; it’s too bad Starbucks has driven a lot of smaller, often better coffeeshops out of business.
Popularity: 4% [?]
April 8th, 2005 at 1:42 pm
by educate the consumer, do you mean “let people know where non-corporate alternatives are” or “change the way we view the power of our consumerism”?
April 8th, 2005 at 1:45 pm
also, let’s support this! go ahead: take 5 min to list your local coffee shop (love it or hate it) on the site – you’ll be taking part in a movement.
nothing like encouraging the use of the internets to unite people to do good.
April 8th, 2005 at 3:50 pm
isn’t it both?
April 8th, 2005 at 4:21 pm
Well, yes, ideally that’s what a project like this hopes to achieve.
My question is which of the two should we spend our energies on?
Is it more important to just get people to do “A” or to get fewer people to do “A” but have them understand why they should do “A”. and how do you do the latter?
(EXAMPLE: is it good that so many people are buying knock-off LiveSTRONG bracelets which go more towards profit because “hey, at least it’s some money for the cause” or bad because they are doing it because it’s trendy and it undermines Lance Armstrong’s message?)
July 6th, 2006 at 2:04 pm
[...] So after the topic of Lance Armstrong bracelets came up in some of our comment threads, I thought I’d mention that a friend of mine, Sean Herman, is producing these Support Louis Vuitton ribbons. They are individually crafted, display the LV monogram, and are free to whomever wishes to support the cause. Discuss. [...]