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MicroBerto

1,187 karma · joined March 11, 2014

Founder of the PricePlow Price Comparison Engine for nutritional supplements and health products

https://www.PricePlow.com

submissionscomments
MicroBerto··on Reddit CEO admits to altering user comments that were critical of him
This is an offense worth firing someone over in a "real" company...
MicroBerto··on “I have toyota corola”
So we run a price comparison engine, and I occasionally get support emails from visitors who bought a product from one of our retail stores listed, and request help from me (ie want tracking or something)

Nobody has ever NOT understood the situation when I tell them that we're just a deals site and to contact the store instead.

On occasion I've had to intervene on their behalf with a store and get things expedited. Stores always oblige because I'm the traffic source.

I of course have a brand to promote, and curl doesn't really need to do that. But when someone's in dire straights looking for anyone to help, I help at all costs. Because I've been on the other end of that support email and it sucks when you can't get a hold of any human.

MicroBerto··on Peter Thiel To Join Trump Transition Team
When you start calling every Trump supporter a race baiter, bigot, or racist without understanding their viewpoint, it's time to stop using those words and take a look in the mirror.
MicroBerto··on California has legalized recreational marijuana
Marijuana is definitely a place where we'll really see if President Trump sticks to his message on States Rights.
MicroBerto··on Maryland will audit all votes cast in general election
Wouldn't some form of a blockchain be a great way to run an election? (I know, I can dream, right??)
MicroBerto··on ESPN Loses 621,000 Subscribers; Worst Month in Company History
This isn't complicated. Just notice how all of the "neo-liberal" channels, magazines, newspapers, and other publications are getting PUMMELED.

I want to read (and hear) about SPORTS, not get bombarded with human interest pieces or have Colin Kaepernick and European soccer shoved down my throat.

And I'm clearly not alone.

MicroBerto··on Soylent halts sales of its powder as customers keep getting sick
These guys are literally a danger to society at this point.

Just because you think you're "smart" doesn't mean you can make functional foods without serious expertise. Typical case of over-inflated engineer egos.

Obligatory link from 2013: https://blog.priceplow.com/soylent

MicroBerto··on Groupon Buys LivingSocial, a Rival Once Valued at $6B
Depends on how good the hygienist is. They're not all the same.
MicroBerto··on How can you tell if someone is kind? Ask how rich they are
> I got a head start

You know we're nearly too far lost when even someone like you thinks you got a "head start" because you were simply parented. You probably didn't even realize how that guilt shined through into your comment!

My parents were/are awesome and I will NEVER apologize for it.

MicroBerto··on How can you tell if someone is kind? Ask how rich they are
It might be time to redefine "leftist" at this point. What is so "left" about being intolerant?

To me it seems more like class warfare, and sides are being chosen amongst the elites, the ultra poor, and those of us stuck in the middle.

You, unfortunately seem to them like an elite but behave like a traditional conservative, which gets you nothing but hatred from all angles. I'm sorry about this and hope you keep doing and preaching what you believe in.

MicroBerto··on The Best Way to Not Get Tenure
Some people simply aren't politicians and will NEVER have any "tact", nor could they look themselves in the mirror if they faked it.

My suggestion to them is to start their own business or find one to work for (with a willing owner) that needs its core rocked or is full of straight-talkers.

We shouldn't typecast ourselves for a paycheck of it leads to misery.

MicroBerto··on American Fall – The Sequel to American Spring by Naval Ravikant
Wonderfully written article that nobody will want to acknowledge.

One enormous thing missed, however, are the geographies that control the majority of food and fresh water supplies.

Other than that, Naval knocked it out of the park yet again, but most won't even realize it.

MicroBerto··on The 2016 Election
Well now I'm confused! Why are people resigning and getting fired over this if the videos aren't trustworthy?
MicroBerto··on The 2016 Election
Well that's a fantastic way of interpreting the email thread and flipping my comments.

During a debate in 2008, she said marriage was between a man and a woman. So no, she wasn't lying in 2008 -- nor did I ever imply such a thing -- that was likely her true sentiment.

https://wikileaks.org/podesta-emails/emailid/2631#efmAdFAfY

At this point, you literally don't know who is putting what into her mouth, or what she will really do once in office. That's an absolutely scary thing.

MicroBerto··on The 2016 Election
How does that change the verbal content inside?
MicroBerto··on The 2016 Election
> If enough people who are voting Clinton purely to stop Trump voted 3rd party, 3rd party would actually have a chance.

It's actually the other way around though. When including 3rd parties in polls (Florida, for example), Clinton has consistently done worse.

This is why you're not seeing any mainstream media coverage of Johnson or Stein -- it hurts their golden goose.

MicroBerto··on The 2016 Election
Hillary's team states that she is still very opposed to gay marriage. She is simply lying now.
MicroBerto··on The 2016 Election
> built upon the massive pile of conspiracy theories and mountains-made-from-molehills that constitute the argument against Hillary.

Like the "conspiracy theories" that Hillary's campaign was behind the violence at this year's Trump rallies?

Seems like they're no longer 'theories'... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IuJGHuIkzY&feature=youtu.be...)

MicroBerto··on The 2016 Election
Sam, do you have any comment on this video?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IuJGHuIkzY&t=9m35s

MicroBerto··on Samsung to Permanently Discontinue Galaxy Note 7 Smartphone
> many consumers won't buy Samsung phones again as a minimum when they're first released, maybe never as a worst case scenario.

I think this is an overreaction. I have a Samsung, and will buy another if it's the best value for what I need next time I'm phone shopping.

Consumers have short memories and there aren't that many legitimate alternatives to Apple.

MicroBerto··on What it's like buying a $128k side project
Wow, if you want to learn how not to negotiate a deal, this is the story to read!

This guy had you right where he wanted the entire time and he knew it. He didn't have to lift a finger or budge an inch. You clearly show your hand(s) way too much (which is clearly in your nature given this blog post, and that's not always a bad thing... although in this case it was).

If it was a really large deal, you'd need to be willing to walk and show it. Instead of reading a relatively overrated book that did you absolutely nothing, I'd recommend having someone be the bulldog/enforcer and have no qualms about it.

But ultimately, I have a feeling you're going to be so successful in something eventually (if not this!) that this money is meaningless in the grand scheme of things, so it's all cool and maybe you knew that.

But man, that was painful to read. Good stuff otherwise and great luck guys!

MicroBerto··on Amazon bans incentivized reviews tied to free or discounted products
True. I'm close to Tommy at ReviewMeta because we're "competitors" in the supplement space (he's a great guy), but I'm not sure what his end game is.

What's infuriating is that you know that Amazon has the talent and data to stop all the fake reviews. Makes you wonder why they allow it..........

MicroBerto··on Amazon bans incentivized reviews tied to free or discounted products
Searched to see if anyone here mentioned ReviewMeta. If anything, this will make their service even more important because the beauty seems to be in tying all the fake reviews together, not necessarily using these keywords.
MicroBerto··on Ask HN: How do you keep motivated if nobody supports you?
Bro, if you need validation or affirmation from "normies" to motivate you, then you're in the wrong business. Keep plowing ahead, networking, meeting pleasant like-minded friends, and learning. You're still young.
MicroBerto··on Amazon’s Ambition to Compete Directly with UPS and FedEx
For the past 10 years, I've used a UPS Store Box (or similar) for as many of my deliveries as possible. They accept any kind of package, and email you when it arrives.

The security and peace of mind is well worth the cost. There are very few packages I need the minute they're delivered.

MicroBerto··on GIMP development - What’s the point?
Not sure what he's talking about (Warp stuff) since I'm a GIMP amateur, but he should make a YouTube video of his finest 3-minute GIMP presentation then.
MicroBerto··on YC and Founders Pledge
> "have to"

What happens if you don't or can't?

MicroBerto··on Hillary's IT guy asking Reddit how to cover up emails
You clearly haven't followed this Administration's activities much. Executive overreach is a daily activity the past 8 (actually 16) years.
MicroBerto··on Amphetamine boosts rats’ recovery from brain injuries
Betel nut and arecoline (one of the primary constituents, similar to nicotine) are ridiculously carcinogenic. Bad idea touching that stuff.

A contract manufacturing lab in the supplement industry tried to bring it into supplements with celebrity athletes promoting it. I did my research and decided it was a BAD idea outside of hardcore /well-researched circles and went on the attack.

https://blog.priceplow.com/betel-nut-arecoline

I had some legal threats but was in communication with toxicologists over the issue and was ready to take it all the way to court to protect my first Amendment rights. One major retailer then also got toxicologists involved. After much tension, the supplements were removed from the market.

And interestingly, the owners of the company that tried to bring it to market are now facing serious jail time for other things.

Point being?

1. Do not touch that stuff with a ten foot pole.

2. You can make a difference and protect consumers who do not know how to do the research themselves.

Sorry for the offtopic rant. I am a huge fan of stimulants but I do not believe in promoting all of them to everybody and urge you all much caution with them. Especially that Betel nut / arecoline poison.

MicroBerto··on Uber starts self-driving car pickups in Pittsburgh
Yeah, I'll sit on the sidelines while they figure the whole snow thing out.

But in the summer and warm weather climates, this will come faster than anyone imagines.

Things tend to move fast when billions of dollars in profits are at stake.

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