Are You Paying More for Dangerous Instructions in Your Book?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the pricing differences between two editions of a book with the same title and author, focusing on the implications of content changes, particularly regarding safety instructions for making lye. Participants explore the significance of these differences and the broader context of collecting flawed items versus functional ones.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that the new edition of the book is 16 pages shorter and questions the implications of this change on pricing, suggesting that the extra pages cost significantly more.
  • Another participant speculates that the first edition is likely to contain the faulty instructions that could lead to burns when making lye.
  • A humorous remark is made about the value of flawed items in collecting, comparing it to the value of flawed stamps and light bulbs.
  • One participant argues that people do not collect utilitarian objects, highlighting the rarity of the recalled book due to safety concerns.
  • Another participant explains that the 16-page difference could be attributed to the binding process of the book.
  • A participant introduces a connection to another individual who has expertise in soap making, suggesting a potential collaboration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the value and implications of flawed versus functional items, as well as the safety concerns related to the book's instructions. No consensus is reached regarding which edition contains the faulty instructions or the broader significance of the pricing differences.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the reasons for the price difference and the implications of the book's recall, which are not fully substantiated. There is also a lack of clarity on the specific content changes between the editions.

BobG
Science Advisor
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Two books, same title, same subject, same author.

Two radically different prices:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0764574086/?tag=pfamazon01-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0764554964/?tag=pfamazon01-20

The new edition is 16 pages shorter. What are the odds of a book being shortened by exactly 16 pages? But what a savings! Those extra 16 pages cost $4.30 each?

Well, actually, there is a slightly more significant difference in the content than just missing 16 pages. The instructions for making lye in one of the books were faulty and a person following the instructions could be burned.

Any guesses which version contains the faulty instructions?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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First edition, most likely...
 
I had a Gutenberg bible but I tossed it out when I got a paperback that had fewer typos in it.
 
Jimmy Snyder said:
I had a Gutenberg bible but I tossed it out when I got a paperback that had fewer typos in it.

lol.
 
I guess the economics is a strange quirk of collecting. Flawed stamps are more valuable than the properly printed stamps. Flawed light bulbs (twisted filaments, etc) are worth more than properly manufactured light bulbs.

Why don't people collect sensible things, such as slide rules. Flawed slide rules are worth less than a slide rule in near perfect condition, complete with near perfect case and instructions.

Or pens. You don't see pen collectors salivating over flawed pens.
 
perceived or real rarity due to flaws>nondescript functional object

people aren't utilitarian
 
G037H3 said:
perceived or real rarity due to flaws>nondescript functional object

people aren't utilitarian

In this case, the book has a special rarity. It was recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

It's hard for the government to recall a book because of First Amendment concerns. The few books that have been recalled are books on home repair that give faulty instructions on how to rewire your home.
 
The 16-page change is a function of binding. Print the pages in folios, fold, bind and trim.
 

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