Editor's Note:  I wrote this before Iran attacked Israel over the weekend.  Given that, perhaps you will enjoy this diversion.

1 Minute Read

Happy Monday, and after yet another Travel Guide and the interminable London Calling, how about something other than my usual textual verbosity? 

How about some pictures? 

Like a whole shit-ton of pictures.  Like the dumbest amount of photos you've ever seen.

Because, today, I am revealing a project that took some effort, that is capturing images of all of the vehicle models currently for sale in America from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche.

You may not be aware, but the variety is obscene and I see this as a problem of people with too much money being offered too many options. 

Because there's a market.  Because too many people have far too much money.

As you'll see below, the number of choices has become insane.  I get it:  In some cases, these are trim and badge plays. 

But I don't care. 

I also understand each manufacturer is and always has been focused on the higher end.  And for the record, I'd be beyond happy to own virtually any of these cars. 

(Although I guess, strictly speaking, we already own a BMW, but that's a different blog post.)

But I still don't care.  What follows is a visual metaphor for how wealth inequality has gotten out of control. 

Or:  Just because we can, doesn't mean we should.  The raw numbers I present at the end of this illness should convince the doubters.  Preview:  the manufacturer offering the fewest models offers 28.

Can anyone justify this, or at least explain it, in any other context than wealth inequality gone wild?   

Audi

BMW
ALL MODELS, my ass.  There are forty-one M Models!

Here's the final tally.

Audi offers 42 vehicle varieties;
BMW offers 60;
Mercedes-Benz offers 28; and
Porsche offers a ridiculous 67. 

Or an average of nearly 50 different options for an expensive car from Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche.

Free-market economics at work?  Perhaps, but even so:  Does the above make sense in a world where plenty of people are homeless and/or don't have enough food to eat? 

I think taxes could be significantly higher for the rich, and no truly wealthy person would notice the difference.

Well, apart from having fewer choices in terms of which Porsche to buy. 

The reviews are in for London Calling.  Here they all are:




I do wish to thank Lara Mohair for her kind words throughout, and it was all worth it if only to reconnect with one of my British colleagues from that period, Randy Smee.  Cheers, mate.

10 Seconds of Seriousness:  Wow, was it enjoyable reliving one of my life's highlights; I encourage everyone to do it.  Thank you for reading some or all of it, and for your indulgence.

And thank you for reading this newsletter.  

Here is the aptly named Crime Pays, from Brian Eno.  To add insult to injury, U2 is featured on the last song.