P5se Camelback Wrote:

rrinker Wrote: I believe they did, but for whatever reason decided to sell off that line of business. It's currently sold under the trade name of Beano. ... --Randy

Our friends in the U.K. can maybe confirm this, but my sister (who lived in the U.K. for several years) tells me that a similar product exists there, but it is advertised as ...

... "Wind Stopper"

Something totally different from wind-breaker, I'd guess.

Wayne

And at least 3% more detectable in a crowd... hock:

Wanted: a replacement for GERN. In today's intensively competitive economy, 3% isn't good enough. 8-)

You misunderstand GERN's concept of 3% better, MountainMan. Whatever a competitor offers, GERN's version is automatically 3% better. If a competitor halves the cost, doubles the quantity and improves the product by 100%, GERN will still do 3% better on all counts. I don't know how they can do it, but they do. Always 3% better.

Wayne

Do GERN employees get 3% better pay ?

Justinmiller171 Wrote: Do GERN employees get 3% better pay ?

Justinmiller171 Wrote:Do GERN employees get 3% better pay ?

No, but just by walking in the door every morning they are 3% happier than any other worker anywhere in the world.

--Randy

doctorwayne Wrote:You misunderstand GERN's concept of 3% better, MountainMan. Whatever a competitor offers, GERN's version is automatically 3% better. If a competitor halves the cost, doubles the quantity and improves the product by 100%, GERN will still do 3% better on all counts. I don't know how they can do it, but they do. Always 3% better.

Wayne

STILL needed - a replacement for GERN.

MountainMan Wrote:STILL needed - a replacement for GERN.

Doth mine ears perchance perceive the faint and distant sound of the voice of a....
"volunteer" :?: :o

Are the grapes growing up there in the Colorado mountains beginning to have a lingering sour after-taste, Mountain Man?

P5se Camelback Wrote:Are the grapes growing up there in the Colorado mountains beginning to have a lingering sour after-taste, Mountain Man?

I haven't the slightest idea what you are referring to, just as you appear to have no idea what I am talking about, either. We grow bears and mountain lions in my backyard, since you appear interested, but we don't eat them.

In this highly competitive world we now live in, it stands to reason that an astutely managed outfit like GERN would not sit around on it's nethers relying on the same old "3%" to maintain it's value forever.

I would expect an outfit like GERN to have established a research facility where they are heavily into R&D, and preparing to release "New and Improved GERN" at any moment. Certainly, given the fortunate position GERN occupies in the market, it's competitors aren't standing still.

MountainMan Wrote:In this highly competitive world we now live in, it stands to reason that an astutely managed outfit like GERN would not sit around on it's nethers relying on the same old "3%" to maintain it's value forever.

Perhaps we need something....
4% Better?

If I understand Wayne's explanation above, despite any advancement by a GERN competitor GERN would always be 3% better! Should GERN strive to be 4%, 10%, or even 25% better? I don't know. In the well thought-out and good naturedly humorous fictional world of GERN the running joke about the 3% margin has always been part of the charm for me. That's one of the reasons I have a GERN facility on my layout. The other reason, and the more important one, is that sharing in a whimsical industry like GERN is FUN!!!!!! It is a pleasure to be part of a concept that prompts so many members to build a GERN facility specific to their layout's needs and even letter rolling stock for the company name. Its one of those things that makes Big Blue an enjoyable place to be and it builds cohesiveness. I don't see why there couldn't be spin off versions of GERN that are "new and improved" or yield a higher percentage advantage over other manufacturers of flux...everyone should enjoy the hobby the way they like...but I like being part of the original GERN concept so the Upper Hudson Valley Cement Flux Division will happily reflect the company heritage.

Ralph

MountainMan Wrote: ... I haven't the slightest idea what you are referring to, just as you appear to have no idea what I am talking about, either. We grow bears and mountain lions in my backyard, since you appear interested, but we don't eat them.
...

I meant I was thinking you were growing tired of the GERN situation in general and desired a new industry that would take the place of GERN on our layouts. That's all ... nothing more. And the bears and lions are lost on this former big city boy. Down here in Florida we have hogs and 'gators ... and we eat 'em both!

But I'll have to pitch my tent next to Ralph's in the side yard. The 3% advantage is part of the charm of the whole "Gibson's Extraordinary Remedial Naturalized Flux" phenomenon and no matter the efforts by the competition, the elite scientists at GERN Ltd. maintain their product at 3% better than anything anyone else can produce. And it is one of the things that makes this forum an extra-fun place with a very public "inside joke" that sucks the newbies in and then they get involved and really become one of the "group."

So, Mountain Man, I certainly meant no disrespect nor was I chastising you, merely needling you about what I perceived to be discontent with a joke that had "run its course" and a desire for something new. O.K., so I was wrong, I misunderstood, I wasted an analogy, big whoop!

Sorry! No disrespect intended. Just tryin' to have a little fun. We haven't interacted as much as some of the others ... you're not yet familiar with my "unusual" sense of humor. I'll lay back on the attempts at humor for a while.

Does anyone know if Doc Brown used GERN flux in his Flux Capacitor?

Perhaps it would make time travel 3% safer