Going Concerns
PEATERMARKS SOCIETY OF AMERICA
"The interest of Peatermarks lies wholly in its organization; lacking any external reference, its members preoccupy themselves solely with the growth and maintenance of the club. The Peatermarks magazine catalogs no accomplishments, no profiles in courage; it merely catalogs the names of members and the locations of chapters. The few photos depict a series of bare offices and blank exteriors that could only be told apart by a seasoned Peatermark. One even suspects, given the preponderance of Peatermarks Halls located alone on local highways, in converted urban convenience stores, and on the third floors of office buildings in Rust Belt downtowns, that the allure of the Peatermarks Society lies in a tacit appeal to the very pleasures of banality."
Despite a strong start, the Peatermarks organization was soon overshadowed by the Zoaclubs, a chain of subscription-supported meeting halls where locally based twelve-member councils (comprising one member of each zodiacal sun sign) would vie with one another to solve "charitable challenges". For example, teams would be awarded a fixed point total for every square mile that they could arrange to have cleared of rubbish, or for each unit of quality low-income housing they could endeavor to construct. In addition to limited cash incentives, members were also treated to free astrological readings, available 24 hours a day.
HARP TONE VARIANCE RECORDS
"A record company dedicated to popularizing the humble field recording. Wedding the high electroacoustic tradition to the old-fashioned souvenir record, HTV seeks to provide the literal soundtrack to 'great places--exciting places--people places'. Also publishes sheet notation, study guides, and promotional leaflets."
Some strides were made with the Top Ten placement of the single "Always Terry Always The Same", ten minutes in the DJ booth of a Blackpool disco. It should, however, be noted that the charting version was remixed somewhat to highlight the conventionally "musical" elements of the recording.
SEARCH FOR REALTY
"An 'exploratory realty concern' that works to identify, evaluate, and sell unused space. SFR agents secure underutilized cellars, rooftops, parking lots, and conference rooms and pass them on to customers in need of modest, conveniently situated spaces. An in-house microgeographer works with the buyer to develop strategies for the parcel. Customers have developed a plethora of unique uses: a three-foot wide ice hockey rink in a crawlspace, a one-room hotel in a tollbooth, dormitory housing in cubicles."
Its business model was endlessly copied, but SFR fell behind by failing to provide the service that made its competitors rich: the subdivision of aerial and subaquatic spaces, and the design/build of associated specialized structures.
