Back to the future: McGuinty says VCRs have come down in price

[moviefan]

At a news conference today promoting electric cars, Premier Dalton McGuinty was trying to explain how the price of the cars would eventually come down.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/...tario-afloat-in-tough-economic-times-mcguinty

This is what he said:

“When it comes to technology, think of the original price of a calculator, VCR, a flat screen TV — what happens to those costs over time?”

VCR???

I suppose he's right but the example seems a tad dated. The same might be said about the calculator.

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UPDATE: In the Toronto Sun's report of the same event, McGuinty's quote (which is slightly different in this story) makes more sense:

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/08/09/green-energy-costs-will-drop-mcguinty

 

[jaycam]

HAHA some classic George B there...

 

[Petzel]

He's such an asshole nothing he says would surprise me.

 

[MayJing]

My dad wants a new VCR machine.

He walks into Walmart, Future Shop, and the likes. Nothing. They all use digital whatchamacallits now.
So if Premier McGuinty would be so kind in pointing out where to buy a new VCR machine, that'd really help! </notsarcasm>

 

[benstt]

My dad wants a new VCR machine.

He walks into Walmart, Future Shop, and the likes. Nothing. They all use digital whatchamacallits now.
So if Premier McGuinty would be so kind in pointing out where to buy a new VCR machine, that'd really help! </notsarcasm>

Look for a Toshiba combo DVD/VCR. The Source.

 

[Petzel]

My dad wants a new VCR machine.

He walks into Walmart, Future Shop, and the likes. Nothing. They all use digital whatchamacallits now.
So if Premier McGuinty would be so kind in pointing out where to buy a new VCR machine, that'd really help! </notsarcasm>

I think Best Buy has them. Search online and you'll find the stores that still sell new VCR's.

 

[Hip]

What about record players? Can I afford one yet?

 

[SaturnFan]

I suppose he's right but the example seems a tad dated. The same might be said about the calculator.

Just wondering what 'modern' electronic device would you have mentioned that clearly illustrates the point Premier McGuinty was trying to make?

 

[Hip]

Just wondering what 'modern' electronic device would you have mentioned that clearly illustrates the point Premier McGuinty was trying to make?

Tivos, HD TVs, Cel phones, and dont forget Laptops. I bought a Toshiba 386 laptop in 1987 for $7,000. It had a 40Mb hard drive and maybe 20Mgz processing power. I can now pay 1/10th of that for a machine that exceeds the performance of that laptop 20 thousand times over. I see McGuinty's point. If the auto market were to parallel the price/performance ratios of the laptop market, we'd all be buying new Porches for $800 right now.

 

[Babypowder]

^^ very true

"If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving twenty-five dollar cars that got 1000 miles to the gallon." - William Gates

 

[Petzel]

McGimpy is so outdated, he should be OUT OF OFFICE. Get out and vote.

I call him 'McCunty'. LOL

 

[Anynym]

Sure, the price of electric cars will come down, just as the price of all cars has come down.

A nice, simple car you used to be able to buy for about $15,000 about 30 years ago should now cost you about $30,000. A Chevy Volt should cost you about $41,000 today; within 30 years it should be down to about $60,000 I'm sure.

One of the larger Chevy dealers in the Ottawa area was on the news yesterday, proudly proclaiming that they've already sold two (TWO!) of the three Chevy Volts they'll get this year. And this was the backdrop to our Liberal Premier spending $80 Million of our hard-earned tax dollars on commercial recharging stations - something that many commercial enterprises are already providing.

 

[OddSox]

A Chevy Volt should cost you about $41,000 today.

You forgot Dalton's $8500 rebate!

 

[dirkd101]

What about record players? Can I afford one yet?

Good audio shops still sell them, priced from $250-$1300 in Toronto. Something in your price range?

 

[Petzel]

I still have my old stereo system in the basement and a Dual turntable.

 

[dirkd101]

Alot of audiophiles still use their turntables, as they still have quite a large collection of vinyl.

 

[wigglee]

most items don't go down in price, they just give you the latest new improved model for the same top price.....then of course, six months later, they convince you to upgrade again.

 

[Petzel]

I'm hoping that one day all my old vinyl will be worth something. I've kept them in excellent condition.