Ruthless price-cutting at supermarkets means consumers have grown accustomed to eating too much. (In the late 19th century, Europeans already thought Americans ate three or four times more than was necessary.) The most damaging consequence is that by 2000 31% of American adults were obese, with another 16% defined as overweight.

ECONOMIST: Food in rich countries

While the Internet Messenger Watch is probably on the cutting edge for digital watch technology, more sophisticated consumers accustomed to more advanced messaging will find it lacking when they get a message and want to talk back.

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Airlines in Brazil were some of the last to start cutting services and charge extra for basics that passengers had grown accustomed to, like being the lucky guy who gets the extra leg room at no extra charge.

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