- As usual, Texas hates to be one-upped by anyone, particularly another state in the Union. The Texas Transportation Commission approved an 85 mph speed limit for a portion of road near Austin. That 85 mph mark tops the previous high of 80 for highways in southern Utah and western Texas.
- In the "you can't make this 'stuff' up" category, a Rhode Island woman is charged with training her cockatoo to curse at her ex-husband and his new girlfriend. The couple, who oddly live next door to the ex-wife, allege that she trained her pet bird Willy to say the word "whore," preceded by several curse words, whenever the new lady friend is visible.
- You think we have a weight problem in this country? Apparently, the real problem lies with our pets. America's pets are more prone to obesity than its human residents, according to HuffingtonPost.com. An estimated 60 percent of domestic dogs and cats are obese or overweight. This heft puts the pets at increased risk for diabetes, joint and mobility problems, and shortened life spans.
- I'm reading Dennis Lehane's new book, Live by Night, and it promises to be as good or better than his terrific novel, The Given Day.
- If the rich aren't having enough image problems already comes this interesting piece of information--2,362 people legally collected unemployment benefits in 2009 despite having household incomes of $1 million or more! (Source: Congressional Research Service)
- Sign of the apocalypse: The coach of a California Pop Warner football team has been accused of giving cash rewards, to ten-year old boys, for "big hits" on opponents. Apparently the coach is channeling his inner Sean Payton, the coach of the New Orleans Saints who was suspended for his team's bounty program in the NFL.
- And, finally, here is your political data point of the day. A record-high 38% of Americans say they prefer the same political party controlling the presidency and Congress, while a record-low 23% say they prefer a divided government. (Source: Gallup poll)
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Which brand wins?
What's the most valuable brand in the world? Apple? American Express? Google?
The results are in, based upon the 13th annual Best Global Brands report from Interbrand, and the winner is--drum roll, please--Coca-Cola. The Interbrand study bases its rankings on financial performance and the role that the brand plays in influencing consumer choices.
This year's list, along with the prior year's rating, is as follows:
1. Coca-Cola (1)
2. Apple (8)
3. I.B.M. (2)
4. Google (4)
5. Microsoft (3)
6. General Electric (5)
7. McDonald's (6)
8. Intel (7)
9. Samsung (17)
10. Toyota (11)
11. Mercedes-Benz (123)
12. BMW (15)
13. Disney (9)
14. Cisco (13)
15. Hewlett-Packard (10)
16. Gillette (16)
17. Louis Vuitton (18)
18. Oracle (20)
19. Nokia (14)
20. Amazon (26)
Who were the big losers this year? Blackberry tumbled from 56 to 93, Goldman Sachs went from 38 to 48, and Barclays exited the list after reaching 79 in 2011.
The results are in, based upon the 13th annual Best Global Brands report from Interbrand, and the winner is--drum roll, please--Coca-Cola. The Interbrand study bases its rankings on financial performance and the role that the brand plays in influencing consumer choices.
This year's list, along with the prior year's rating, is as follows:
1. Coca-Cola (1)
2. Apple (8)
3. I.B.M. (2)
4. Google (4)
5. Microsoft (3)
6. General Electric (5)
7. McDonald's (6)
8. Intel (7)
9. Samsung (17)
10. Toyota (11)
11. Mercedes-Benz (123)
12. BMW (15)
13. Disney (9)
14. Cisco (13)
15. Hewlett-Packard (10)
16. Gillette (16)
17. Louis Vuitton (18)
18. Oracle (20)
19. Nokia (14)
20. Amazon (26)
Who were the big losers this year? Blackberry tumbled from 56 to 93, Goldman Sachs went from 38 to 48, and Barclays exited the list after reaching 79 in 2011.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Sunday afternoon check-in
- Well, gee, it looks like I've got a fun trip coming up this week. Travel & Leisure magazine rated my destination--New York City--as the dirtiest city in America. Gotham was also rated as the rudest and loudest city.
- Arnie, the beagle, was busted for grand theft in Largo, FL. The pooch, pet of Corey and Hope O'Kelley, consumed $275 worth of the couple's cash and was only found out after the owners sifted through the dog's vomit and excrement to piece together a few shards of the downed dollars.
- Shoppers in Kansas City got a jolt with news that IKEA is coming to town in 2014.
- This could only happen in America and, specifically, L.A.--O.J. Simpson thinks that Khloe Kardashian is his daughter and has added her as a beneficiary in his will, according to the National Enquirer. The Juice believes that he fathered Khloe in a 1983 affair with her mother, Kris Jenner.
- Today's data point: 70% of Americans support efforts to require voters to show a photo I.D. card at the polling place. (Source: New York Times/CBS News poll.)
- Did you know that there is a soundtrack for the hit mommy porn book, Fifty Shades of Grey? Yeah, I didn't either.
- The Emmy award-winning show Homeland debuts Season Two tonight on Showtime at 9:00 p.m. CT. It is "must see" TV.
- This had to be a "for sale by owner" situation--a homeowner in New Jersey put a "for sale" sign in his lawn which read "House for sale by owner, because my neighbor's an a--hole." Nice...
- And, finally, the saddest story of the week is that Lady Gaga's weight is even a "story." The singer has recently gained 25 pounds, prompting criticism from fans and observers. She revealed this week that she's struggled for years with bulimia and had recently put on weight by eating pizza and pasta at her father's restaurant in New York. Gaga has asked for "compassion" and I, for one, think that is the least that we can do. Move on here, people--there's nothing to see.
- Arnie, the beagle, was busted for grand theft in Largo, FL. The pooch, pet of Corey and Hope O'Kelley, consumed $275 worth of the couple's cash and was only found out after the owners sifted through the dog's vomit and excrement to piece together a few shards of the downed dollars.
- Shoppers in Kansas City got a jolt with news that IKEA is coming to town in 2014.
- This could only happen in America and, specifically, L.A.--O.J. Simpson thinks that Khloe Kardashian is his daughter and has added her as a beneficiary in his will, according to the National Enquirer. The Juice believes that he fathered Khloe in a 1983 affair with her mother, Kris Jenner.
- Today's data point: 70% of Americans support efforts to require voters to show a photo I.D. card at the polling place. (Source: New York Times/CBS News poll.)
- Did you know that there is a soundtrack for the hit mommy porn book, Fifty Shades of Grey? Yeah, I didn't either.
- The Emmy award-winning show Homeland debuts Season Two tonight on Showtime at 9:00 p.m. CT. It is "must see" TV.
- This had to be a "for sale by owner" situation--a homeowner in New Jersey put a "for sale" sign in his lawn which read "House for sale by owner, because my neighbor's an a--hole." Nice...
- And, finally, the saddest story of the week is that Lady Gaga's weight is even a "story." The singer has recently gained 25 pounds, prompting criticism from fans and observers. She revealed this week that she's struggled for years with bulimia and had recently put on weight by eating pizza and pasta at her father's restaurant in New York. Gaga has asked for "compassion" and I, for one, think that is the least that we can do. Move on here, people--there's nothing to see.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
The life of a blogger
Wow! I'm sorry, dear readers, but I just realized that it's been almost two full weeks since I last posted here at Musings, Notes & Quotes. What's up with that, you ask? Well, I think it's a combination of writer's block and time.
It's hard to continue to find compelling content with which to populate this three-plus-year-old site. But, I believe I have something which will get you excited and exclaim, "that's more like it!"
What I found was this enthralling bit of data from The New York Times Magazine. Did you know that flip flops are called by different names in different parts of the world? Unbelievably, neither did I!
In Arizona, they're referred to as "showershoes." Who knew? Further west in California and Hawaii, wearers call them "go-aheads." Perhaps the footwear is called that as they tend to leave your feet and "go-ahead," as they fit very loosely.
"Thongs" are the descriptor of choice in Texas and New York, not to be confused, of course, with a ladies' undergarment by that same name. East Texans, those folks better known for their ability to breed roses, call 'em "tweeny-toes." Isn't that cute and oh so Texan?
Finally, in San Diego, they are called "Lord boards." Perhaps those in SoCali use that term as reference to the sandal favored by Jesus and their love of surfing?
There, now, wasn't that worth waiting for? I promise to not take as long a respite next time but also pledge to continue to mine the various media outlets for this type of quality content to which you've grown accustomed.
Stay thirsty (for Musings, Notes & Quotes), my friends...
It's hard to continue to find compelling content with which to populate this three-plus-year-old site. But, I believe I have something which will get you excited and exclaim, "that's more like it!"
What I found was this enthralling bit of data from The New York Times Magazine. Did you know that flip flops are called by different names in different parts of the world? Unbelievably, neither did I!
In Arizona, they're referred to as "showershoes." Who knew? Further west in California and Hawaii, wearers call them "go-aheads." Perhaps the footwear is called that as they tend to leave your feet and "go-ahead," as they fit very loosely.
"Thongs" are the descriptor of choice in Texas and New York, not to be confused, of course, with a ladies' undergarment by that same name. East Texans, those folks better known for their ability to breed roses, call 'em "tweeny-toes." Isn't that cute and oh so Texan?
Finally, in San Diego, they are called "Lord boards." Perhaps those in SoCali use that term as reference to the sandal favored by Jesus and their love of surfing?
There, now, wasn't that worth waiting for? I promise to not take as long a respite next time but also pledge to continue to mine the various media outlets for this type of quality content to which you've grown accustomed.
Stay thirsty (for Musings, Notes & Quotes), my friends...
Thursday, September 6, 2012
The View from The Hill
It's week three of my gig as Executive In Residence at the University of Kansas Journalism School and there are some definite impressions I've gathered which I want to share with you, my faithful audience.
Before we begin, let me state again just how surreal this is--spending time in the building where I had many a class during my tenure "back in the day" as a J-School student in the Public Relations sequence. That sequence has gone away, replaced now by the overarching track of Strategic Communications and the sister track, on the News-Editorial side, which is aptly named "News-Ed."
One thing that immediately strikes anyone of age 40+ who sets foot on campus is the proliferation of ear buds attached to the heads of students walking to and fro on Mt. Oread. The ubiquitous white cords attached to an Apple product are peeking out of backpacks or hands of students, heads bowed as they peruse all of the functionality of their precious iPhone or iTouch. A few headphones are seen now and then, usually a staple of athletes typically sporting togs with adidas and KU branding. It seems, to this old fogey, that today's student can't go anywhere without music providing a daily soundtrack.
Another observation is the disdain that students have for the lesson learned when they were young, i.e., "be sure and look both ways!" before crossing the street. Look? Why!? These kids simply step out, whether due to distraction from the omnipresent ear bud attachments and/or given their expectation that no moving vehicle would dare to strike them while on or around campus.
It's been warm here thus far in the semester and I envy the person who has the Nike track short concession at local sporting goods retailers--this clothing is a staple of any female student on The Hill. Guys, of course, also sport the shorts look but their attire ranges from the baggy basketball short to cargo shorts from American Eagle or Abercrombie.
From my closeted space in Stauffer-Flint, the best part of each day is overhearing the student conversations, in the hall outside, as they wait for class or head elsewhere after their latest course. The conversations range from discussions about the latest class project to thoughts on cheap places to eat in Lawrence. The tone of the voices and the content within is full of hope and promise, reinforcing the thought that college is the best four years of life.
It was with thoughts of this hope and optimism that I anxiously responded when one young man poked his head around the corner into my office and said, "Hey, man, can I ask you a question?" "Sure!" I said, my mind racing on the possibilities of some thorny journalistic issue certain to come next from his hopeful face. "Yeah...uh, can you tell me where the bathroom's at?"
I kept my facial expression helpful and smiled, replying "Sure, no problem--go down the hall and down the flight of steps."
Before we begin, let me state again just how surreal this is--spending time in the building where I had many a class during my tenure "back in the day" as a J-School student in the Public Relations sequence. That sequence has gone away, replaced now by the overarching track of Strategic Communications and the sister track, on the News-Editorial side, which is aptly named "News-Ed."
One thing that immediately strikes anyone of age 40+ who sets foot on campus is the proliferation of ear buds attached to the heads of students walking to and fro on Mt. Oread. The ubiquitous white cords attached to an Apple product are peeking out of backpacks or hands of students, heads bowed as they peruse all of the functionality of their precious iPhone or iTouch. A few headphones are seen now and then, usually a staple of athletes typically sporting togs with adidas and KU branding. It seems, to this old fogey, that today's student can't go anywhere without music providing a daily soundtrack.
Another observation is the disdain that students have for the lesson learned when they were young, i.e., "be sure and look both ways!" before crossing the street. Look? Why!? These kids simply step out, whether due to distraction from the omnipresent ear bud attachments and/or given their expectation that no moving vehicle would dare to strike them while on or around campus.
It's been warm here thus far in the semester and I envy the person who has the Nike track short concession at local sporting goods retailers--this clothing is a staple of any female student on The Hill. Guys, of course, also sport the shorts look but their attire ranges from the baggy basketball short to cargo shorts from American Eagle or Abercrombie.
From my closeted space in Stauffer-Flint, the best part of each day is overhearing the student conversations, in the hall outside, as they wait for class or head elsewhere after their latest course. The conversations range from discussions about the latest class project to thoughts on cheap places to eat in Lawrence. The tone of the voices and the content within is full of hope and promise, reinforcing the thought that college is the best four years of life.
It was with thoughts of this hope and optimism that I anxiously responded when one young man poked his head around the corner into my office and said, "Hey, man, can I ask you a question?" "Sure!" I said, my mind racing on the possibilities of some thorny journalistic issue certain to come next from his hopeful face. "Yeah...uh, can you tell me where the bathroom's at?"
I kept my facial expression helpful and smiled, replying "Sure, no problem--go down the hall and down the flight of steps."
Monday, September 3, 2012
The inferiority complex of Labor Day, and what to do about it
Is there a U.S. holiday which has more of an identity problem than Labor Day? Think about it...
- Martin Luther King Day is obviously a day, during Black History Month, when we stop and observe all that Dr. King did to move the cause of civil rights.
- Memorial Day is the unofficial jumping off date for summer and, of course, the grilling season. Retailers use this date in May to push grills, charcoal, swim and pool gear, summertime foods and, of course, beer to the masses.
- Independence Day, a k a the 4th of July, celebrates our country's independence and is a day typically set aside for families to come together to test their hands at pyrotechnics, or watch others blow up stuff. It's a day where America's fascination with fireworks is on full display.
Labor Day stands alone as a misunderstood holiday. Does the word "Labor" mean that I'm supposed to do some sort of work, or absolutely nothing at all? What's on television on this date? Nothing, unlike Memorial Day which has tons of war movie reruns for all of us wanting to once again see John Wayne as General James Gavin in The Longest Day. Heck, Labor Day doesn't even signal a return to school for the kiddies as everyone seems to be jumping to an early August date for the beginning of the school year.
Labor Day has no personal brand and thus is in need of a major makeover.
Here's what I suggest:
- Let's make Labor Day the official opening weekend of all football.
- The Thursday night prior to Labor Day will be the college football kick-off. Let's schedule a major game (e.g., this past weekend's Alabama-Michigan game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX) as the opener and then have a full slate of games on Saturday of Labor Day weekend.
- High school football then would kick off (pun intended) on Friday--a true Friday Night Lights across all America.
- Sunday would be our NFL opening weekend and then, on Monday--on Labor Day--we have the first NFL Monday night game of the year with a major match-up, perhaps featuring the two teams from the prior season's Super Bowl.
Using Labor Day as our official football opening weekend makes all kinds of sense--it brands the weekend with our country's most-watched sport, and unites us across the country around that greatest of inventions, the television set.
Let's go market this thing, shall we?
- Martin Luther King Day is obviously a day, during Black History Month, when we stop and observe all that Dr. King did to move the cause of civil rights.
- Memorial Day is the unofficial jumping off date for summer and, of course, the grilling season. Retailers use this date in May to push grills, charcoal, swim and pool gear, summertime foods and, of course, beer to the masses.
- Independence Day, a k a the 4th of July, celebrates our country's independence and is a day typically set aside for families to come together to test their hands at pyrotechnics, or watch others blow up stuff. It's a day where America's fascination with fireworks is on full display.
Labor Day stands alone as a misunderstood holiday. Does the word "Labor" mean that I'm supposed to do some sort of work, or absolutely nothing at all? What's on television on this date? Nothing, unlike Memorial Day which has tons of war movie reruns for all of us wanting to once again see John Wayne as General James Gavin in The Longest Day. Heck, Labor Day doesn't even signal a return to school for the kiddies as everyone seems to be jumping to an early August date for the beginning of the school year.
Labor Day has no personal brand and thus is in need of a major makeover.
Here's what I suggest:
- Let's make Labor Day the official opening weekend of all football.
- The Thursday night prior to Labor Day will be the college football kick-off. Let's schedule a major game (e.g., this past weekend's Alabama-Michigan game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX) as the opener and then have a full slate of games on Saturday of Labor Day weekend.
- High school football then would kick off (pun intended) on Friday--a true Friday Night Lights across all America.
- Sunday would be our NFL opening weekend and then, on Monday--on Labor Day--we have the first NFL Monday night game of the year with a major match-up, perhaps featuring the two teams from the prior season's Super Bowl.
Using Labor Day as our official football opening weekend makes all kinds of sense--it brands the weekend with our country's most-watched sport, and unites us across the country around that greatest of inventions, the television set.
Let's go market this thing, shall we?
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
I think this mobile advertising thing is going to work
Is there anyone out there that's saying, "This mobile advertising thing just isn't going to make it?" If so, get a load of this--mobile ad spending is forecast to increase to more than $10 billion by 2016. Advertisers currently invest about $2.6 billion in mobile, across banner ads and rich media, search, messaging and video, which means that the $10 billion plus mark is over a 400% increase in four years!
Asia-Pacific is the current region which invests the most in mobile advertising but, by 2013, the U.S. is expected to eclipse A-P and, by 2016, will spend twice as much as that region. Currently, worldwide spending is at $6.4 billion and will rise to $23.6 billion by '16.
Source: eMarketer, January 2012.
Asia-Pacific is the current region which invests the most in mobile advertising but, by 2013, the U.S. is expected to eclipse A-P and, by 2016, will spend twice as much as that region. Currently, worldwide spending is at $6.4 billion and will rise to $23.6 billion by '16.
Source: eMarketer, January 2012.
Monday, August 20, 2012
You CAN go home again
Isn't it an amazing thing when life offers up an exciting new adventure? Today, I set out on such a new journey as I took the role of part-time Executive In Residence at the William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications at the University of Kansas.
I can hear and feel the mouse clicks, from my Mizzou and Kansas State friends, who are automatically thinking "I'm not reading this!"
But, hold on--this isn't so much about good ol' KU as it is about returning home. It's about the idea of spending time at that place which all of us pine for given that, universally, when we invoke the name of our college it's followed with "those were the best years of my life."
My return back has a stated purpose of assisting the Journalism School in how it teaches today's students coupled with a desire to more closely bridge the connection between the school and its alumni. Personally, though, this assignment goes much deeper.
It all was a bit surreal this morning when I made the three block walk from the Kansas Union to Stauffer-Flint Hall. There I was--gray haired, sport coat and slacks--amidst the flip-flopped and shorts-wearing collegians, all with requisite backpacks and earbuds attached. Fittingly, it was a glorious August morning with a hint of fall, signaling the coming beauty which will explode on Mt. Oread in another month or so.
I have always thought, ever since leaving this place back in the days of polyester plaid and long hair, that I would return in some sort of meaningful position or assignment. I'm hopeful that this new gig is, indeed, that opportunity. I'm hopeful that my desire to give back, to a place for which I care so deeply, will be fulfilling for me and useful to my academic colleagues and students here in the school.
I'll be filing reports, aptly titled "The View from the Hill," in the days and weeks to come as I observe the 2012 version of academe and spend quality time with today's students and faculty. And, while I will wax poetic on the beauty of the Kansas campus and this quintessential college town, I would ask my non-Jayhawk friends to consider the posts as a way to live vicariously through me, knowing that many of you would love to be back at your respective alma maters doing the exact same thing. I know I'm living the dream and I promise not to take that for granted.
I can hear and feel the mouse clicks, from my Mizzou and Kansas State friends, who are automatically thinking "I'm not reading this!"
But, hold on--this isn't so much about good ol' KU as it is about returning home. It's about the idea of spending time at that place which all of us pine for given that, universally, when we invoke the name of our college it's followed with "those were the best years of my life."
My return back has a stated purpose of assisting the Journalism School in how it teaches today's students coupled with a desire to more closely bridge the connection between the school and its alumni. Personally, though, this assignment goes much deeper.
It all was a bit surreal this morning when I made the three block walk from the Kansas Union to Stauffer-Flint Hall. There I was--gray haired, sport coat and slacks--amidst the flip-flopped and shorts-wearing collegians, all with requisite backpacks and earbuds attached. Fittingly, it was a glorious August morning with a hint of fall, signaling the coming beauty which will explode on Mt. Oread in another month or so.
I have always thought, ever since leaving this place back in the days of polyester plaid and long hair, that I would return in some sort of meaningful position or assignment. I'm hopeful that this new gig is, indeed, that opportunity. I'm hopeful that my desire to give back, to a place for which I care so deeply, will be fulfilling for me and useful to my academic colleagues and students here in the school.
I'll be filing reports, aptly titled "The View from the Hill," in the days and weeks to come as I observe the 2012 version of academe and spend quality time with today's students and faculty. And, while I will wax poetic on the beauty of the Kansas campus and this quintessential college town, I would ask my non-Jayhawk friends to consider the posts as a way to live vicariously through me, knowing that many of you would love to be back at your respective alma maters doing the exact same thing. I know I'm living the dream and I promise not to take that for granted.
Friday, August 17, 2012
T.G.I.F.
It's that time again--it's Friday afternoon and thus time to throw it around a bit before we commence with the weekend!
- An empathetic fan in England plans to send medals he designed to athletes who missed out on bronze at the London Olympics. David Mitchell said, "I hope they don't find it insulting--it's meant seriously." There was no word on what Nike's reaction might be, given the campaign that the athletics brand used years ago which said, "You don't win silver, you lose gold."
- Take heart, all you parents who have fished a foreign object out of your young son's nose. In Utah, Isaak Lesson, aged six, was found to have a flexible Lego stuck up his nose. Doctors were investigating young Lesson's sinus problems, came upon the toy piece, and, ever since, Isaak has been sleeping and eating much better.
- Ryan Lochte has said that he wouldn't mind being the next bachelor on ABC's The Bachelor.
- A Chinese woman who is frustrated about the speeding cars flying by her house is using a unique distraction to slow them down. Lin Chen, 67, purchased an inflatable female sex doll, dressed it in sexy red lingerie, and positioned it in her garden in view of passing motorists. Most drivers are now hitting the brakes to get a better view.
- Would you be more embarrassed seen reading The National Enquirer or the erotic novel, Fifty Shades of Grey? A new Vanity Fair/60 Minutes poll actually found that 61% would be most embarrassed to be seen reading "Snooki" Polizzi's "novel," A Shore Thing. After that, 13% said The Enquirer, 12% said Fifty Shades, 10% said a memoir by Mitt Romney and 5% said a memoir by President Barack Obama. (Editor's note: And, yes, those were quotations I placed around Snooki's "novel.")
- Let's give it up for Mark Lazarus. The NBC Sports chairman's decision to tape-delay much of the Olympics irked purists, but it paid off with a ratings bonanza over the 17 days of the broadcast from London.
- And, finally, the group, One Million Moms, which announced a boycott of Glee during the show's most recent season, will figure into a plot line in an upcoming episode.
- An empathetic fan in England plans to send medals he designed to athletes who missed out on bronze at the London Olympics. David Mitchell said, "I hope they don't find it insulting--it's meant seriously." There was no word on what Nike's reaction might be, given the campaign that the athletics brand used years ago which said, "You don't win silver, you lose gold."
- Take heart, all you parents who have fished a foreign object out of your young son's nose. In Utah, Isaak Lesson, aged six, was found to have a flexible Lego stuck up his nose. Doctors were investigating young Lesson's sinus problems, came upon the toy piece, and, ever since, Isaak has been sleeping and eating much better.
- Ryan Lochte has said that he wouldn't mind being the next bachelor on ABC's The Bachelor.
- A Chinese woman who is frustrated about the speeding cars flying by her house is using a unique distraction to slow them down. Lin Chen, 67, purchased an inflatable female sex doll, dressed it in sexy red lingerie, and positioned it in her garden in view of passing motorists. Most drivers are now hitting the brakes to get a better view.
- Would you be more embarrassed seen reading The National Enquirer or the erotic novel, Fifty Shades of Grey? A new Vanity Fair/60 Minutes poll actually found that 61% would be most embarrassed to be seen reading "Snooki" Polizzi's "novel," A Shore Thing. After that, 13% said The Enquirer, 12% said Fifty Shades, 10% said a memoir by Mitt Romney and 5% said a memoir by President Barack Obama. (Editor's note: And, yes, those were quotations I placed around Snooki's "novel.")
- Let's give it up for Mark Lazarus. The NBC Sports chairman's decision to tape-delay much of the Olympics irked purists, but it paid off with a ratings bonanza over the 17 days of the broadcast from London.
- And, finally, the group, One Million Moms, which announced a boycott of Glee during the show's most recent season, will figure into a plot line in an upcoming episode.
Monday, August 6, 2012
What have we wrought...
There is a growing trend among psychologists and others that questions what our reliance upon digital devices is doing to our minds. For the first time, the term "Internet use disorder" will make its way into the 2013 edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
In Silicon Valley, ground zero for the development of these devices and software, there is growing concern about the role of technology in peoples' lives. Tech guru Soren Gordhamer has gone so far as to organize a conference, Wisdom 2.0, to explore the need for balance in this brave new world of instant gratification digitally. Companies who have become a part of our essential daily lives--Google, Twitter, and Facebook--are offering meditation to their employees, mindful of the way technology has impacted workers and consumers alike.
One media outlet, though, offers a contrarian view that it's not the hardware's fault or the software's fault--it's the employers fault. Alexis Madrigal, writing for TheAtlantic.com, suggests that employers who expect their employees to be available 24/7 are to blame. Likewise, she writes that the U.S. has a political and cultural system that "makes us feel guilty about taking any time off, and obligated to meet the growing demand for nonstop productivity." She cites that Europeans have smart devices too but Americans put in 122 more hours per year, on average, than Brits and nearly 10 weeks more per year than Germans.
Whatever the reason and whoever may be at fault, isn't it time that we re-examine the reliance upon technology and find new, creative ways to dis-engage? Hey, maybe we could even crack open a "real" book from time to time?
In Silicon Valley, ground zero for the development of these devices and software, there is growing concern about the role of technology in peoples' lives. Tech guru Soren Gordhamer has gone so far as to organize a conference, Wisdom 2.0, to explore the need for balance in this brave new world of instant gratification digitally. Companies who have become a part of our essential daily lives--Google, Twitter, and Facebook--are offering meditation to their employees, mindful of the way technology has impacted workers and consumers alike.
One media outlet, though, offers a contrarian view that it's not the hardware's fault or the software's fault--it's the employers fault. Alexis Madrigal, writing for TheAtlantic.com, suggests that employers who expect their employees to be available 24/7 are to blame. Likewise, she writes that the U.S. has a political and cultural system that "makes us feel guilty about taking any time off, and obligated to meet the growing demand for nonstop productivity." She cites that Europeans have smart devices too but Americans put in 122 more hours per year, on average, than Brits and nearly 10 weeks more per year than Germans.
Whatever the reason and whoever may be at fault, isn't it time that we re-examine the reliance upon technology and find new, creative ways to dis-engage? Hey, maybe we could even crack open a "real" book from time to time?
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