Anyone that knows me, knows I’m very picky with what I read. Reading a sizeable novel–especially at my pace–takes a while, and I have to be absolutely certain I will like a book before I’m willing to commit to it.
I was making a book order on Amazon.com this weekend– really just plucking out some books from my wish list. I took down:
Then after clicking my way to the cart, Amazon informed me that if I were to add just a measly 3.35$ to my total order, I would be eligible for free shipping. So it’s either I find something that costs 3.35$ and get the shipping free or dish out an extra 4.25$ . Clearly, the reasonable thing to do was add something else to the cart. So I looked. The only thing I wanted that comes close to reaching my 3.35$ is a 6$ paperback Star Trek novel (yes I said “Star Trek”; I can almost hear the shudders of disgust, and the nods of disapproval).
So the search for a good Star Trek novel began, and after some searching through the lists, I came across Cardassia and Andor (Worlds of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Vol. 1); It screamed “Buy Me”. And being the nervously uncertain guy that I am, and easily persuaded by the voice of public opinion, I read the reader reviews that followed:
The Cardassia story is excellent., July 30, 2004 …
Andorian fans should love this!, May 25, 2004 …
Boring…, February 15, 2005
I was disappointed, November 6, 2004
As you can see, the reviews did little but exacerbate my petty decisioning dilemma.
It comes to show, what one person loves, another despises. One person’s junk, another’s treasure. I put so much weight on the opinion of others when making a decision, and in reality, opinions are so conflicting, so biased, so inconclusive, that sometimes… they can be almost meaningless.
Hey Derick, don’t buy it if you don’t have to. You will have to expend time to use a needless item. We live in a consumer centric, ad filled universe, with everyone and their mother trying to sell you something. Chicken Selects anyone? Whether it is G Bush Jr. trying to sell you on some crazy idea *cough* WMDs *cough*, or the local screaming Auto Store, it no wonder we have accumulated a lot of crap. We are lulled into buying more and more.
-out
Mark D.
I went to Cardi’s to buy a new futon yesterday and left having purchased a $1,200 couch and chair. Realizing what I was talked into, the order was later cancelled. I hate salespeople.
Buy the book! If you dont like it I will read it or you can use it to balance a table. Then next ground hogs day wrap it up and give it to mardigan for his birthday. YOu cant go wrong w/ star trek.
LaBoss
PS My head was definetly nodding.
Haha, already got it in the mail!