Sometimes I get a kick out of store displays. The last month there have been a few that have caught my eye. I'm not going to mention the establishments - only the humorous placement of items.
One day my wife and I were walking through a convenience store and noticed an odd display of snacks on the end cap of an aisle.n an end cap of an aisle. Right before our eyes were Ding Dongs and Ho Ho's snuggled next to each other.
Another time and another day I was at the checkout counter of a grocery store when I noticed the items displayed on the shelf behind the cashier. In marketing they are called impulse items. You only had a choice of two things to satisfy your impulse - condoms were to right of home pregnancy tests. To me, having pregnancy tests next to condoms isn't good advertising for the condoms.
In closing I will tell you about one of the best displays I have ever encountered - if you call a small vending machine a display. In the men's restroom on a college campus there was a vending machine with only three items. It contained condoms, energy pills, and a type of (different brand) of NoDoz pills.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Society Influence is Spreading
As you know - or if you didn't know - my wife and I spend the school year in the small Eskimo Village of Eek, Alaska. It is located smack in the mist of the vast tundra in Southwest Alaska. The place is remote and only accessible by air, boat, or snow mobile depending on the weather.
The people have resided there for generations and for the most part look after and respect one another and their property. However, I've seen changes to the contrary during my 12 years as an educator in the bush.
It isn't uncommon for people to leave their doors unlocked and when someone wants to visit they simply walk in. That is changing. Doors locked are gaining more momentum. Blame is spread from what is called the Western Influence (TV, computers/internet, video games, etc) over the last couple of decades to the economy to parenting to a whole slew of other possibilities. The fact is that crime is spreading even t0 isolated villages.
The village of Eek is no exception. The influence of modern society has taken a hold. The tradition of the younger generations listening to stories and lessons and learning from their Elders is dying. Granted is is "another world" now, but the wisdom and knowledge of the Elders can be applied to any time or situation.
One example of the changing society within the village (as with most every place I go now) is the inability for one to throw their trash away properly. Each year we have to spend time to pick up the trash around the school - even within a few feet or inches of the trash can itself.
As I wrote, it isn't limited to villages by all means. Just the other day I was at a hotel in Bethel, Alaska and outside was trash on the ground by their trash can.
Kids learn by example. The hotel was packed with teachers and administrators in for a district-wide in-service so it is fair to assume that adults left the trash there. That is not a proper way to set an example.
Trash strewn about may just be a pet peeve of mine, but I bet I'm not alone.
We can't go back in time and start over in regards to the negative impact of modern society, but we can do our part by learning from those who have lived in a different age, respecting the environment, and teaching our kids to make the right decisions.
The people have resided there for generations and for the most part look after and respect one another and their property. However, I've seen changes to the contrary during my 12 years as an educator in the bush.
It isn't uncommon for people to leave their doors unlocked and when someone wants to visit they simply walk in. That is changing. Doors locked are gaining more momentum. Blame is spread from what is called the Western Influence (TV, computers/internet, video games, etc) over the last couple of decades to the economy to parenting to a whole slew of other possibilities. The fact is that crime is spreading even t0 isolated villages.
The village of Eek is no exception. The influence of modern society has taken a hold. The tradition of the younger generations listening to stories and lessons and learning from their Elders is dying. Granted is is "another world" now, but the wisdom and knowledge of the Elders can be applied to any time or situation.
One example of the changing society within the village (as with most every place I go now) is the inability for one to throw their trash away properly. Each year we have to spend time to pick up the trash around the school - even within a few feet or inches of the trash can itself.
As I wrote, it isn't limited to villages by all means. Just the other day I was at a hotel in Bethel, Alaska and outside was trash on the ground by their trash can.
Kids learn by example. The hotel was packed with teachers and administrators in for a district-wide in-service so it is fair to assume that adults left the trash there. That is not a proper way to set an example.
Trash strewn about may just be a pet peeve of mine, but I bet I'm not alone.
We can't go back in time and start over in regards to the negative impact of modern society, but we can do our part by learning from those who have lived in a different age, respecting the environment, and teaching our kids to make the right decisions.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
More money = less money
Yesterday a rise in the ciggarette tax of 62 cents a pack went into effect. The idea behind it is a bit confusing. Governments are counting on the extra income to fund certain projects while the anti-smoking groups are hoping that it will persuade more people to quit the habit.
If more people quit it will certainly help the future health care costs of the nation's population. I say "population" because taxpayers tend to foot the bill on a lot of medical costs due to lack of insurance and such.
However, the lack of tax income and less public money to cover uninsured health costs, will only dampen the coffers of the projects/agencies the funds were intended for. On the other hand, I believe some of the money was intended for anti-smoking campaigns and with less smokers and less income the need will not be as strong to campaign.
It is basically the way the government thinks, "Raise prices and the extra money will come in handy." Wrong thinking.
A few years ago the state of Texas changed the way it charged for state park entries, etc. Before the change, it was $5.00 per vehicle to enter the park. Now they charge per person. One could buy a yearly park pass for $50.00 that is good for free entry to any state park for the year. The card was a credit card type and they changed it to a vehicle sticker. I think since they have reverted and went back to the card type, but not the "per person" charge.
At one park you were able to throw corn out off the road and around your camp to attract, watch, and photograph the wild animals. They were many and a great attraction. Never heard anyone getting hurt and it made the area a very family friendly park.
Then they eliminated the feeding of animals saying it was bad for them. The attendance has shrunk and the maintenance at the park isn't what it used to be.
So again, governments continue to assume that raising the price and fixing something that was working and the people enjoyed would bring more money for them and make the situation better. I don't think they will ever learn.
If more people quit it will certainly help the future health care costs of the nation's population. I say "population" because taxpayers tend to foot the bill on a lot of medical costs due to lack of insurance and such.
However, the lack of tax income and less public money to cover uninsured health costs, will only dampen the coffers of the projects/agencies the funds were intended for. On the other hand, I believe some of the money was intended for anti-smoking campaigns and with less smokers and less income the need will not be as strong to campaign.
It is basically the way the government thinks, "Raise prices and the extra money will come in handy." Wrong thinking.
A few years ago the state of Texas changed the way it charged for state park entries, etc. Before the change, it was $5.00 per vehicle to enter the park. Now they charge per person. One could buy a yearly park pass for $50.00 that is good for free entry to any state park for the year. The card was a credit card type and they changed it to a vehicle sticker. I think since they have reverted and went back to the card type, but not the "per person" charge.
At one park you were able to throw corn out off the road and around your camp to attract, watch, and photograph the wild animals. They were many and a great attraction. Never heard anyone getting hurt and it made the area a very family friendly park.
Then they eliminated the feeding of animals saying it was bad for them. The attendance has shrunk and the maintenance at the park isn't what it used to be.
So again, governments continue to assume that raising the price and fixing something that was working and the people enjoyed would bring more money for them and make the situation better. I don't think they will ever learn.
Friday, November 30, 2007
One-Task
Multi-tasking seems to be the present society norm. It is like you are not living life to the fullest unless you have at least two things going on at the same time. Most of us have know people who drive while talking on their cell phone. I'm guilty of it too. I'm finding it more difficult to do. Not only am I trying to have a conversation, but I am also driving and dodging others doing the same thing.
I've witnessed people listening to music through an earplug in one ear, a blue tooth device in the other, doing something on their laptop, and talking to someone. It is unreal. Personally, I don't see how they do it. I don't understand it. I don't really agree with it. It is hard for me to carry on a conversation while the other party is glued to other things. If someone doesn't want to pay attention then we don't need to talk. If I began the conversation then I'll be happy to call back. If they phoned and I have a low percentage of their attention, then I'll do the same. I'll return the call later.
Maybe it is "old school" mentality, but I believe in stopping what I'm doing or turning off the music or TV and giving the person my UNDIVIDED attention. Now, what they have to say may not be important to me, but it is important to them.
Granted, there are times that I have attempted to conform and do more than one thing at a time, but for me it doesn't work. It helps when I am work on a single project at a time. For example, I turned the TV off to write this blog post.
I read not too long ago that people are becoming multi-task and are able to have several things happening together. They do hear most of the phone conversation. They do manage to stay in their lane of the road. They also jam to the tunes. They do these and other combinations of tasks simultaneously, but they do not do any ONE well.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against multi-tasking. It apparently works for some. It just doesn't work for me. I'm a one-task man.
I've witnessed people listening to music through an earplug in one ear, a blue tooth device in the other, doing something on their laptop, and talking to someone. It is unreal. Personally, I don't see how they do it. I don't understand it. I don't really agree with it. It is hard for me to carry on a conversation while the other party is glued to other things. If someone doesn't want to pay attention then we don't need to talk. If I began the conversation then I'll be happy to call back. If they phoned and I have a low percentage of their attention, then I'll do the same. I'll return the call later.
Maybe it is "old school" mentality, but I believe in stopping what I'm doing or turning off the music or TV and giving the person my UNDIVIDED attention. Now, what they have to say may not be important to me, but it is important to them.
Granted, there are times that I have attempted to conform and do more than one thing at a time, but for me it doesn't work. It helps when I am work on a single project at a time. For example, I turned the TV off to write this blog post.
I read not too long ago that people are becoming multi-task and are able to have several things happening together. They do hear most of the phone conversation. They do manage to stay in their lane of the road. They also jam to the tunes. They do these and other combinations of tasks simultaneously, but they do not do any ONE well.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against multi-tasking. It apparently works for some. It just doesn't work for me. I'm a one-task man.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)