The Errant Æsthete

A few weeks back, we posted what David Pogue, chief tech guru for the NY Times, labels Pogue’s Imponderables [EA 10/21/07]. Questions that even he can’t answer. For example, why is Wi-Fi free at cheap hotels, but $14 a night at expensive ones? Not only did he get some pretty surprising answers [SEE HERE], but managed to collect some more imponderables. Thoughts, opinions, right or wrong answers are welcome.

• Why can’t I order TV channels a la carte, so that I just pay for the ones I want?

• Why do the signal-strength bars on my cellphone change when I’m standing still?

• When we are put on hold, we are offered numerous options–”press 1 for sales,” etc. Why not an option to press for “Mute this annoying music,” or maybe to select different types of music?