Reading: ‘Free’

In his latest book, “Free: The Future of a Radical Price” (Hyperion; $26.99), Chris Anderson explores “free” as a business strategy and posits that no-cost services will be essential to every company’s survival.

Although I was a fan of THE LONG TAIL, I’ve decided to test his theory by first reading FREE online, for free, before I order it for $$ on Amazon. I’ve read enough arguments against FREE online, such as this interesting take by The New Yorker’s Malcom Gladwell, to warrant needing my own “free” taste before forking over my hard earned cash 🙂

I’ve read a few chapters and so far, I tentatively agree with his observations. Sometimes, a little bit of free pays off:

My mother’s company, Legislative Research, Inc., relies heavily on her relationships with judicial committees and the nice (or not nice) men and ladies behind the desks of those offices. Often, mutual goodwill makes the difference between LRI receiving a needed file within the hour or weeks later. What’s a free service that my mother swears by to grease the political wheels of justice?

Cookies. That’s right — a dozen or so freshly baked morsels delivered by one of her cheerful employees every few months to each of the offices. It costs her very little but those sweet little treats are definitely appreciated by their recipients. It certainly helps that LRI operates with a high degree of professionalism, but my mom will be the first to say that her free cookie gifts make a huge difference in promoting her business and saving her company time and hassle. The ROI on her cookies means that they more pay for themselves.

FREE will be released in the US this week (July 7th in hardcover; July 9th in ebooks). According to Anderson’s blog, some physical copies of FREE will be free as well.

I’m Going: Meh Places With Great Free Booze

Finding free drinks in the city is pretty easy but it isn’t always, well, pretty. Sometimes you have to sacrifice your sense of taste or even some of your dignity just to score a diluted vodka cran.

Luckily, there are so many options that if you get a little creative, you can always make a grand game for your and your friends out of your collective attempt to drown your recession sorrows for free. Such as…

Best Open Bar To Meet Your Future Stalker

or

Best Open Bar To Inspire You To Kill Someone In College

See below.

(Don’t be confused by the date on the flier – the event is Dec 2nd) – freenyc.net

Date: Tuesday, December 2nd
Time: 10:00pm
Location: Angles and Kings (500 E 11th St bet Ave A & B)
Cost: Free
Open Bar: Venom and Vodka, 10:30-11:30

This is the first annual Trainwreck Winter Formal hosted by Panic at the Disco’s Brandon Urie. Formal and festive wear is strongly encouraged for this event.

Sling back complimentary Venom and Vodka from 10:30-11:30pm and free shots when they ring the gong. 21+

I went to the Angles and Kings in Chicago this past summer while working at Lolla. It felt like “House of Douche Baggery” would have been a better name for the venue. It was like all frat parties throughout history rolled into one burrito of sadness, with a coating of hair gel and tanning spray. But I am keeping an open mind because I want a free drink while checking out a potential prom situation.

After The Jump: More horrific places I am willing to check out in the name of damaging my liver during the recession..

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