Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Time to Wake Up and Smell the Goat!
I had occasion today to call up a kid and tell him he had won a book prize in a reading contest. His response rather than "Cool!" or "Wow! Really!?" was simply "okay." He was distinctly underwhelmed. I felt like saying to him "Listen kid, this might be the best f*cking thing that will ever happen to you in your life! You could sound a tad more enthusiastic. Books don't grow in trees, you know!" (Well, okay, maybe not that last bit, since books grow from trees, if not in them.)
My point is: kids seem to have such high expectations these days and don't think there will be a goat on their horizon. Let me explain.
Remember that game show from the 70s, "Let's Make a Deal", where lucky contestants (if so chosen by the affable, yet God-like Monty Hall) could get the chance to choose a prize behind door number 1, 2, or 3? There was a lot of hand-wringing tension in this decision, because those in the know were savvy to the fact that while there was likely a very nice prize behind two thirds of the doors, inevitably opening the other one would reveal a goat.
Decisions had consequences and a bad decision could result in a pungent, gamey goat.
In kids' contests and competitive games these days, it seems everyone gets to win and nobody gets stuck with the goat. They don't expect the goat, so they aren't wary of encountering it in the choices they make.
Kids, I'm here to tell you: the goat is still here and sooner or later it's going to bite you in the ass (and chew your pants off while it's at it.) So, wake up and smell the goat.
And when you win a free book, act excited for Christ's sake!
My point is: kids seem to have such high expectations these days and don't think there will be a goat on their horizon. Let me explain.
Remember that game show from the 70s, "Let's Make a Deal", where lucky contestants (if so chosen by the affable, yet God-like Monty Hall) could get the chance to choose a prize behind door number 1, 2, or 3? There was a lot of hand-wringing tension in this decision, because those in the know were savvy to the fact that while there was likely a very nice prize behind two thirds of the doors, inevitably opening the other one would reveal a goat.
Decisions had consequences and a bad decision could result in a pungent, gamey goat.
In kids' contests and competitive games these days, it seems everyone gets to win and nobody gets stuck with the goat. They don't expect the goat, so they aren't wary of encountering it in the choices they make.
Kids, I'm here to tell you: the goat is still here and sooner or later it's going to bite you in the ass (and chew your pants off while it's at it.) So, wake up and smell the goat.
And when you win a free book, act excited for Christ's sake!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Which is more annoying: the medium or the message?
I went to see a movie today and during the interminable "pre-show" there was a reminder to turn off cell phones and smartphones, and not to be an annoying "Tommy Texter." It then proceeded to show several ads/contests asking people to send a text! WTF!
Remember the good old days when you went to see a movie and the only "pre-show" was a few short trailers of coming attractions? Those halcyon days are gone, my friends, and we are now full captives to the corporate advertisers. No wonder people stay home and watch TV or rent DVDs. At least you can mute or skip over the commercials. In the theatre you can only sit tight and wonder if the actual movie you paid $12.75 to see is going to start before you expire.
But the absolute worst marketing intrusion I have ever encountered has got to be inside toilet cubicles with those strategically placed ad screens on the inner door. Please, to all the advertisers out there foaming at the mouth for my consumer dollars, you have me every other minute of the waking day. Can you please just let me take a pee in peace?!
Remember the good old days when you went to see a movie and the only "pre-show" was a few short trailers of coming attractions? Those halcyon days are gone, my friends, and we are now full captives to the corporate advertisers. No wonder people stay home and watch TV or rent DVDs. At least you can mute or skip over the commercials. In the theatre you can only sit tight and wonder if the actual movie you paid $12.75 to see is going to start before you expire.
But the absolute worst marketing intrusion I have ever encountered has got to be inside toilet cubicles with those strategically placed ad screens on the inner door. Please, to all the advertisers out there foaming at the mouth for my consumer dollars, you have me every other minute of the waking day. Can you please just let me take a pee in peace?!
Monday, May 31, 2010
A Sense of Accomplishment... and the Journey Continues!
I'm proud that I have successfully completed the twelve-week Web 2.0 schedule of exercises. I'll admit, I was nervous at the beginning (back in March) that I would find the whole thing too overwhelming, difficult, or scary. But the way the training was structured, with small, manageable, self-paced tasks to complete each week made it at times even enjoyable! I have particularly liked blogging as a means of self-expression and reflection. I will also continue using LibraryThing to keep track of my favourite books.
Thanks to the trainers for putting it all together for us!
The journey continues!
Thanks to the trainers for putting it all together for us!
The journey continues!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
The Grass is Always Greener...
Okay, I admit it. I have lawn envy. Now that I'm a home-owner in the Burbs again, I have started obsessing about the state of my lawn and drawing unfavourable comparisons with the neighbours lovely, thick green thatch.
Our back lawn looks half-decent, but the front is just sad. Uneven coverage, with little patches of brown that look strangely like crop circles. (No, we don't have a dog.) A friend calmly advises that it is just a bit of "winter kill," but that doesn't stop me obsessing about fertilizer and watering cycles.
Yesterday I bought a bag of grass seed, from the multitudinous choices available, to fill in the gaps. I swear I stood there for 20 minutes trying to decide which particular blend to get! I finally selected one that is apparently "ideal for thickening thin, abused lawns." Abused lawns... like I go out there and beat up on it!
One mystery of the universe I would like solved: why does grass grow robustly where I don't want it (such as in flower beds and between cracks in the pathway) while the front lawn (which everyone can see!) remains patchy and forlorn? This must be how the bald guy with a hairy back feels.
Our back lawn looks half-decent, but the front is just sad. Uneven coverage, with little patches of brown that look strangely like crop circles. (No, we don't have a dog.) A friend calmly advises that it is just a bit of "winter kill," but that doesn't stop me obsessing about fertilizer and watering cycles.
Yesterday I bought a bag of grass seed, from the multitudinous choices available, to fill in the gaps. I swear I stood there for 20 minutes trying to decide which particular blend to get! I finally selected one that is apparently "ideal for thickening thin, abused lawns." Abused lawns... like I go out there and beat up on it!
One mystery of the universe I would like solved: why does grass grow robustly where I don't want it (such as in flower beds and between cracks in the pathway) while the front lawn (which everyone can see!) remains patchy and forlorn? This must be how the bald guy with a hairy back feels.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Social grooming for narcissists
I love that expression: "social grooming." It conjures up footage of groups of primates picking the nits out of each others fur, a way to bond socially as well as stay clean and tidy. Apparently, Twitter is also a form of social grooming, although I look on it as more a form of narcissism gone wild. This need to share your thoughts and opinions with the wider world on a 24/7 basis.
The dictionary defines twitter as "a short burst of inconsequential information." Emphasis on the word "inconsequential."
Yeah, okay, Twitter has proven to have a bit more substance as a communication platform during emergencies/disasters (e.g. Haiti) and periods of political dissent (China, Iran.) I can almost get on board with it for substantial, life-altering things like this.
But, I could really do without "tweets" regarding something called "Wanker Whiplash" or the fact that "May is Zombie Awareness Month." Has anyone correlated chronic Twitter usage with ADHD? Maybe they should.
I don't know if I should be more worried that Lady Gaga has been named the top fashion icon for teen girls or the fact that the library felt the need to share this nugget of information.
I think the best application of Twitter for the library would be for program/event announcements or important information about our collections and services. Ecopalooza and the Teens Create contest are two good recent examples.
Someone named Kingsully tweeted: "Why am I watching Lindsay Lohan on CNN when there are millions of gallons of oil in the gulf and troops dying overseas?" I couldn't agree more. Now if he could have just kept his tweet to himself.
The dictionary defines twitter as "a short burst of inconsequential information." Emphasis on the word "inconsequential."
Yeah, okay, Twitter has proven to have a bit more substance as a communication platform during emergencies/disasters (e.g. Haiti) and periods of political dissent (China, Iran.) I can almost get on board with it for substantial, life-altering things like this.
But, I could really do without "tweets" regarding something called "Wanker Whiplash" or the fact that "May is Zombie Awareness Month." Has anyone correlated chronic Twitter usage with ADHD? Maybe they should.
I don't know if I should be more worried that Lady Gaga has been named the top fashion icon for teen girls or the fact that the library felt the need to share this nugget of information.
I think the best application of Twitter for the library would be for program/event announcements or important information about our collections and services. Ecopalooza and the Teens Create contest are two good recent examples.
Someone named Kingsully tweeted: "Why am I watching Lindsay Lohan on CNN when there are millions of gallons of oil in the gulf and troops dying overseas?" I couldn't agree more. Now if he could have just kept his tweet to himself.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Love that Library Thing!
Library Thing is a true revelation and one of the most enjoyable exercises we have done during the Web 2.0 assignment. I find it quite user friendly (with some assistance from "Help") and have already added 17 titles to my Library Thing collection! It is a highly addictive activity!
This is definitely something I will use in future on an ongoing basis, particularly as a way to keep track of books I've read and enjoyed. The search engine works well, provides images of most book covers, and the collection titles are really easy to sort and re-sort. I contributed a review for one of the books in my collection and (once I figured out how) added rating stars for all the rest.
I like being able to link quickly with other members and their book reviews. This is a great tool for finding recommendations and connecting with other bibliophiles. Based on my existing catalog and profile, Library Thing has already offered me a whopping 144 reading suggestions! And many are spot on!
One thing I could not figure out is how to share my catalog list without also giving people access to my profile. In spite of several attempts, I was unsuccessful at embedding the approproate "widget" in my blog. Bummer.
This is definitely something I will use in future on an ongoing basis, particularly as a way to keep track of books I've read and enjoyed. The search engine works well, provides images of most book covers, and the collection titles are really easy to sort and re-sort. I contributed a review for one of the books in my collection and (once I figured out how) added rating stars for all the rest.
I like being able to link quickly with other members and their book reviews. This is a great tool for finding recommendations and connecting with other bibliophiles. Based on my existing catalog and profile, Library Thing has already offered me a whopping 144 reading suggestions! And many are spot on!
One thing I could not figure out is how to share my catalog list without also giving people access to my profile. In spite of several attempts, I was unsuccessful at embedding the approproate "widget" in my blog. Bummer.
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