That’s scary. What?
First of all, what’s a commodity. Think about gold, silver or soybeans. They’re commodities.
If I’m buying a thousand pounds of soybeans, I don’t really care if I’m getting them from Fred, Barney, Betty or Jethro, they’re all about the same. Same for gold and silver, if I’m buying the metal by the pound (or ounce). Once it’s pressed into jewelry, it’s a different story, but the metal itself is a commodity.
Humans
That’s a leap. We’re all different.
Let’s talk about work, since we spend a large part of our pre-retirement waking hours working.
I spent most of my career in some level of management. One of my key responsibilities was hiring. All of the companies that I worked for, devoted a lot of time and energy to hiring.
We had staffing departments that advertised the positions and searched for candidates. When applicants came in, they interviewed with the managers and the team.
We’d get together and discuss the candidates. We might do some background checks or call some prior employers.
It was a process.
We spent the time because it was important. We wanted someone who had the right skills to do the job well.
Everyone is different. Humans are definitely not a commodity.
AI
Artificial Intelligence. We hear about it constantly but no one really knows what it is. I wrote a little bit about it here and here.
Lately, I’ve been spending more time with Grok. Some prefer ChatGPT or Gemini.
I continue to be shocked with what AI can do. And to be more specific, I can type a question into Grok, just like I’d do a Google (or duck duck go) and I’m amazed at how thorough the research is and how effective the presentation of results is.
Cataracts
Bet you didn’t see that coming. Pun intended.
But first let’s back up.
I get a lot of ideas for my articles from Tony, Mike and Mike, my 3 readers. And sometimes from Rich, who doesn’t read but has coffee with me every Saturday.
A while back, Mike mentioned how difficult it was to sign up for Medicare. My head was spinning after our discussion, so I did some research and wrote: Navigating Medicare.
Yesterday at lunch, Tony was talking about needing cataract surgery. He said this was difficult as there were a lot of options and some were covered by insurance and some were not. He said that this would make for a great post.
I’m always looking for new ideas and this sounded like it would be helpful to my 3 readers, so I started.
I decided I’d first try Grok and see what he had to say.
He said:
Cataract surgery is highly effective and one of the most common procedures worldwide. Your options depend on the type of cataract, your lifestyle, visual needs, and overall eye health. Here’s a clear breakdown:
1. Types of Cataract Surgery
| Procedure | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Phacoemulsification (Phaco) | Most common. Uses ultrasound to break up the cloudy lens, removed through a tiny incision. | Nearly all patients. Fast recovery (1–2 days). |
| Manual Extracapsular Extraction (ECCE) | Larger incision to remove lens in one piece. Rarely used. | Dense cataracts or when phaco isn’t possible. |
| Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS) | Laser makes incisions and softens lens before phaco. More precise in some cases. | Astigmatism, complex cases, or surgeon preference. |
2. Intraocular Lens (IOL) Options
This is the artificial lens implanted after your natural lens is removed.
| IOL Type | Pros | Cons | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monofocal IOL | Sharp distance vision. Covered by insurance. | Need glasses for near (reading). | Driving-focused patients. |
| Multifocal IOL (e.g., PanOptix, Symfony) | Reduces need for glasses at near, mid, and far. | Possible glare/halos at night. Not covered by insurance. | Active lifestyle, hate glasses. |
| Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) IOL (e.g., Vivity) | Smooth vision range, fewer halos than multifocal. | May still need readers for fine print. | Night drivers, tech users. |
| Toric IOL | Corrects astigmatism + cataract. | Rotates rarely; extra cost. | Significant astigmatism. |
| Light-Adjustable Lens (LAL) | UV light adjusts power after surgery. | Multiple post-op UV treatments. | Patients wanting fine-tuning. |
3. Anesthesia Options
- Topical (eye drops) – Most common, fully awake.
- Local injection – Numbs eye, mild sedation.
- General anesthesia – Rare, only for anxious/pediatric cases.
4. Lifestyle-Based Recommendations
| Your Priority | Recommended IOL |
|---|---|
| Zero glasses, night driving | EDOF (Vivity) or Monofocal + readers |
| All distances, no glasses | Multifocal (PanOptix) – accept some halos |
| Budget + sharp distance | Monofocal (insurance-covered) |
| Astigmatism | Toric (any type) |
5. Risks & Recovery
- Success rate: >98%
- Recovery: 1–2 weeks for full healing; drive in 24–48 hrs
- Rare risks: Infection, retinal detachment, posterior capsule opacification (YAG laser fixes this later)
Next Steps
- Get a refraction – Know your prescription and astigmatism.
- Discuss lifestyle with your surgeon (e.g., “I golf at dusk,” “I read novels”).
- Ask about laser vs. manual and IOL costs (premium lenses: $1,500–$3,500/eye out-of-pocket).
Would you like help interpreting your eye exam numbers or choosing between specific IOL brands?
That’s the end. Pretty impressive right? But I still have some questions.
Halos
I remembered that Tony liked the multifocal option, even though it wasn’t covered by insurance, but he had mentioned the halos. I wanted to know more about that so I asked Grok a follow-up question.
His Reply:
Multifocal IOLs (Intraocular Lenses) split incoming light into multiple focal points (usually distance + intermediate + near), so you can see clearly at all ranges without glasses in most situations.
They work like progressive eyeglasses built into your eye—but with trade-offs. The biggest one: halos, glare, and starbursts, especially at night.
How Multifocal IOLs Work
| Design | How Light Is Split | Example Brands |
|---|---|---|
| Diffractive | Concentric rings on the lens create 2–3 focal points | Alcon PanOptix, Tecnis Multifocal, ReSTOR |
| Refractive | Zones of different powers (like concentric circles) | ReZoom (older, rarely used) |
| Trifocal | 3 distinct foci: far, mid (60 cm), near (40 cm) | PanOptix, FineVision |
Halos & Night Vision: What to Expect
| Symptom | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Halos | Glowing rings around lights (streetlights, headlights) | 70–90% notice initially |
| Starbursts | Spikes radiating from lights | Common with diffractive designs |
| Glare | Hazy glow around bright objects | Worse in first 3–6 months |
| Reduced Contrast | Slightly dimmer vision, harder to see in low light | ~10–20% report persistently |
Good news: 80–90% of patients adapt within 3–6 months (neuroadaptation). The brain learns to ignore the extra light rings.
Real-World Night Vision Comparison
| IOL Type | Night Driving Comfort (Patient Reports) |
|---|---|
| Monofocal | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best) |
| EDOF (Vivity) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very good, minimal halos) |
| Multifocal (PanOptix, Symfony) | ⭐⭐⭐ (Good after adaptation) |
| High-add Multifocal (ReSTOR +3.0) | ⭐⭐ (Most halos) |
Who Should Avoid Multifocals?
- Night drivers (truckers, Uber, rural roads)
- Pilots or precision night work
- Perfectionists intolerant of any optical side effects
- Pre-existing retinal issues (macular degeneration, glaucoma)
Tips to Minimize Halos
- Choose lower-add multifocals (e.g., +2.5D instead of +3.0D for near)
- Use anti-reflective glasses at night (even if just plano)
- Avoid multifocal in one eye only (monovision alternative causes more issues)
- Pupil size matters: Large pupils = more halos (ask for low-light pupil test)
Patient Quotes (from clinical studies & forums)
“First month: headlights had Christmas tree halos. Now? I barely notice.” – PanOptix patient, 1 year post-op “I read menus without glasses, but I don’t drive after dark anymore.” – ReSTOR patient “Vivity was the sweet spot—reads phone, drives at night, no rings.” – EDOF comparison
Bottom Line
| Want | Choose |
|---|---|
| Zero glasses, tolerate 3–6 months of halos | PanOptix (trifocal, best near vision) |
| Great distance + intermediate, minimal halos | Symfony or Vivity (EDOF, not true multifocal) |
| Perfect night vision, use readers | Monofocal |
Would you like:
- A comparison chart of PanOptix vs. Symfony vs. Vivity?
- Help predicting your halo risk based on pupil size or lifestyle?
- Monovision as an alternative to multifocals?
I’m Out of a Job
Cut out the middle-man. What possible value do I add now?
In 30 seconds, I asked 2 questions and got all the info I needed in a summary format to educate me and to help me make my decision.
Grok even suggested areas I might want to dig deeper in. And to be clear, there is no digging for me. Grok does that. I just type.
Maybe Not
Grok isn’t human. He’s a computer. He can search the web, read lots of articles, pull out pertinent information and present it back.
Don’t get me wrong. This is impressive. But Grok can’t be as charming and witty as I. He could never take over finance-abcs.com and entertain Mike, Mike and Tony.
Damn
Wrong again.
I asked Grok to write a funny short story about a man and his dog Rosco.
Then I clicked make it funnier
Bob was convinced Rosco was a canine Einstein, mainly because the mutt had mastered the art of wedging his snout into the fridge, snagging a single bologna slice, and resealing the door with a dramatic tail-wag that screamed “nothing happened here.” So, Bob entered Rosco in the county’s “Genius Pet Extravaganza,” dreaming of a trophy shaped like a giant Milk-Bone.
Event One: The Puzzle Box. The contraption was a Rubik’s Cube for dogs—levers, latches, and a treat locked inside. Rosco circled it like a shark, then flopped his 80-pound butt directly on top. CRUNCH. The box split open, treat flew out, and Rosco caught it mid-air like a furry LeBron. The crowd roared. Bob fist-pumped so hard he dislocated his shoulder.
Event Two: Obstacle Course. Rosco had to weave poles, jump hoops, and ring a bell. He nailed the poles (by bulldozing them), ignored the hoops (too “hoopla”), and rang the bell by head-butting it into the next zip code. The bell landed in a port-a-potty. The judge, mid-sentence, got a concussion from the ricochet. Rosco celebrated by humping the megaphone.
Final Event: Talent Show. Bob trained Rosco to “play dead” on command. Rosco’s version? Collapse dramatically, roll onto his back, and fart the Star-Spangled Banner. The audience lost it. One kid laughed so hard he peed. The pee rolled downhill and short-circuited the sound system. Sparks flew. Rosco, unfazed, stole the judge’s wig and wore it like a victory crown.
Disqualified for “excessive flair and chemical warfare,” Bob protested: “He’s a prodigy!” The judge, now bald and smelling of dog fart, banned them for life. Rosco responded by pooping a perfect smiley face on the score sheet.
On the walk home, Bob grumbled, “We were robbed.” Rosco paused, lifted a leg, and peed on Bob’s “World’s Okayest Owner” mug. Then he dropped the stolen wig at Bob’s feet, tail thumping like, Keep the change, loser. Bob laughed until he cried, leash forgotten in the grass. Rosco didn’t need a trophy. He’d already trained his human to fetch.
Car Detailing
I wrote a few posts on car detailing here.
Let’s see if Grok can beat that. Let’s start him off with spray waxes.
write up a comparison of the best car spray waxes
Comparison of the Best Car Spray Waxes (2025)
Spray waxes are a game-changer for quick car detailing—easy to apply, no buffing marathons required, and they deliver shine plus protection against UV rays, water, and road grime. Based on expert tests from Car and Driver, Road & Track, Automoblog, and user reviews on Amazon and forums like Reddit, here are the top five standouts for 2025. These picks balance convenience, durability, and gloss, with many incorporating hybrid ceramic formulas for longer-lasting results. Prices are approximate (based on current Amazon listings) and can vary.
| Product | Price | Key Features | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meguiar’s Quik Wax (24 oz) | $10–$12 | Synthetic polymer blend; spray-on for wet or dry surfaces; quick shine boost. | Super easy to use (spray and wipe in minutes); great value; enhances curb appeal without residue. | Shorter durability (2–4 weeks); less intense water beading than ceramics. | Budget quick-touch-ups on daily drivers. |
| Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating (16 oz) | $12–$15 | Ceramic-infused with carnauba; extreme hydrophobicity; safe for all vehicles. | Excellent water beading and slickness; lasts 4–6 months with regular use; easy spray-and-wipe. | Can streak if over-applied; slight learning curve for even coverage. | Long-term protection in harsh weather. |
| Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax (26 oz) | $12–$14 | SiO2 hybrid barrier; advanced UV and fade protection; works on paint, trim, and glass. | Superior gloss and bead-up; no harsh chemicals; versatile for multiple surfaces. | Slightly pricier per ounce; needs microfiber for best results. | All-around detailing for modern paints. |
| Chemical Guys HydroBlitz Hybrid Ceramic Spray Wax (16 oz) | $15–$18 | Ceramic polymers for deep wet look; bonds quickly; UV and contaminant repellent. | Insane shine and slickness (banana-peel slippery); easy removal; great for black/dark cars. | Higher cost; scent might be too strong for some. | Show-car enthusiasts wanting max gloss. |
| CSI Q-7 Wax (32 oz) | $20–$25 | High-grade carnauba emulsion; multi-layer buildable protection; eco-friendly formula. | Exceptional depth of shine; durable up to 3 months; works as a topper over other waxes. | Larger bottle means bigger upfront spend; best on clean, dry surfaces. | Premium users layering for ultimate protection. |
Quick Buying Tips
- For Beginners: Start with Meguiar’s Quik Wax—it’s foolproof and cheap.
- Durability Focus: Go ceramic-hybrid like Turtle Wax or Meguiar’s for 2025’s wet winters.
- Application Hack: Always use a clean microfiber towel; apply in shade to avoid streaking. Reapply every 2–4 weeks for peak performance.
- Overall Winner: Turtle Wax Hybrid Ceramic edges out for its bang-for-buck longevity and ease, per Project Farm tests and Amazon’s 4.7+ ratings.
These picks are based on hands-on tests emphasizing real-world shine, beading, and wipe-off ease. Your car’s paint type (e.g., matte vs. glossy) might tweak the ideal choice—test a small spot first!
But He’s not Funny
Let’s ask him to make it funny.
write a comparison of the best car spray waxes and make it humorous
Battle of the Bottle: The 2025 Spray-Wax Smackdown
(Where shine meets slapstick)
| Product | Price | Superpower | Super-Weakness | Spirit Animal | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meguiar’s Quik Wax (24 oz) | $10–$12 | The “I’m-late-for-work” ninja. Spray, wipe, poof—your Civic looks like it just got a Tinder glow-up. | Fades faster than your gym resolution (2–4 weeks). Water beads like it’s shy. | Hyperactive squirrel on espresso. | Broke college kids who detail in the dorm lot. |
| Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating (16 oz) | $12–$15 | The hydrophobic Hulk. Water runs away screaming. Lasts 4–6 months unless you live in a sandblaster. | Over-spray it and you’ll streak like a toddler with sunscreen. | Overprotective turtle with a flamethrower. | People who cry when birds poop on their hood. |
| Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax (26 oz) | $12–$14 | The Swiss Army shine. Works on paint, glass, and your neighbor’s judgment. UV protection so strong it could tan Superman. | Needs a microfiber towel or it ghosts you with haze. | Smooth-talking raccoon in a tux. | Multi-taskers who wax the windshield and the ego. |
| Chemical Guys HydroBlitz Hybrid Ceramic Spray Wax (16 oz) | $15–$18 | The Instagram flex. So glossy you’ll see your ex’s regret in the reflection. Smells like a piña colada exploded. | Costs more than your last Uber. Scent might make you hungry. | Peacock that moonlights as a mirror. | TikTok detailers doing “satisfying wipe” ASMR. |
| CSI Q-7 Wax (32 oz) | $20–$25 | The bougie overlord. Carnauba so pure it judges paste waxes. Layers like a lasagna of luxury. | Bottle so big you’ll need a wagon. Apply wrong and it laughs at you. | Snobby British butler with a spray trigger. | Trust-fund cars that summer in the Hamptons. |
The Play-by-Play Drama
- Meguiar’s Quik Wax rolls up in sweatpants. “I got 30 seconds and a dream.” Sprays, wipes, done. Your car shines like it just binge-watched Queer Eye. Downside: Rain laughs at it after two weeks.
- Turtle Wax Ceramic struts in wearing sunglasses indoors. “Hold my beer—er, water.” One mist and droplets yeet off like they owe it money. Downside: Overdo it and your hood looks like a streaky Snapchat filter.
- Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic is the chill friend who brings snacks and protects your trim. “Glass? Sure. Plastic? Why not.” Downside: Forgets to work if you use a dirty Taco Bell napkin.
- Chemical Guys HydroBlitz arrives in a Lambo, bass thumping. “Mirror finish or bust.” So slick you’ll slide off your own door handle. Downside: Smells like a frat house luau. Might attract bees.
- CSI Q-7 enters on a velvet cushion carried by interns. “I don’t do quick. I do legacy.” Layers so deep your grandkids will inherit the shine. Downside: Costs more than your first car. Bottle weighs 12 pounds.
Pro Tips (From a Guy Who Once Waxed His Dog)
- Beginners: Grab Quik Wax. It’s cheaper than therapy and twice as shiny.
- Rain Haters:Turtle Wax Ceramic—water beads like it’s allergic.
- Show-Offs:HydroBlitz. Your neighbors will need sunglasses.
- Application Hack: Use two microfiber towels—one for “oops” and one for “brag.”
- Ultimate Champ:Turtle Wax Hybrid wins the crown for “Most Likely to Make You Say ‘Whoa’ Without Selling a Kidney.”
Now go forth and spray. Just don’t wax your cat. (Rosco still hasn’t forgiven me.)
Wrap Up
Grok even added a call out to Rosco. He doesn’t forget.
I’m obsolete. I’ve brought you grok. You no longer need me.
I’m a commodity. Anyone can type in the request. Grok does all the work.
Kids are telling Grok write me a paper on Albert Einstein and dumb it down to 4th grade level.
Grok can’t type by itself or make an espresso, but the robots are coming soon. Once they’re here, are humans a commodity or an inconvenience, or an impediment?
I’ve never subscribed to the zombie apocalypse conspiracy theories, but a robot apocalypse, maybe???