Bazaar

Mad thing

Friday 28 July 1995 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

GO Money Changer, pounds 7.99

The makers have put a standard 10-a-penny calculator chip inside a red plastic case, and charge pounds 7.99 for it. I would like to tell you how much that is in Franch francs or Greek drachmas, but the machine only converts in one direction. Its timing is good; no longer can we rely upon Fr10 to pounds 1, and dividing everything by 7.50 is a pain in every sense. Programming the thing is a problem: despite a degree in mathematics and two sets of instructions, it took me three goes. I would give 799 lire for it (32p), or even DM7.99 (pounds 3.50), but no more.

Simon Calder

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in