I was very sorry to hear that they found his body today. I had
really hoped that he had found a way to cope and come out this
better for it.
Man, they don't make 'em like that anymore.
(update: since Spalding Gray's passing yet another stray cat
came into our lives. This one is completely gray in color so
he has been named... Spalding)
Mar 9, 2004
Feb 22, 2004
Latin Wisdom
From Pubilius Syrus: Pecunia avarum irritat non satiat
translation: The greed of money excites but doesn't satisfy.
translation: The greed of money excites but doesn't satisfy.
Feb 19, 2004
Bad Marketing
It doesn't happen very often but every once in a
while I see a commercial that I find so dissonant...
so incredibly annoying... that I get a permanent
negative association with the product it's pitching.
This is the case with every single commercial made
for YELLOW BOOK.
The new copies of YELLOW BOOK that showed up
in my lobby (like so much other junk mail) just went
directly into the recycle bin!
while I see a commercial that I find so dissonant...
so incredibly annoying... that I get a permanent
negative association with the product it's pitching.
This is the case with every single commercial made
for YELLOW BOOK.
The new copies of YELLOW BOOK that showed up
in my lobby (like so much other junk mail) just went
directly into the recycle bin!
Jan 15, 2004
Cost of Neutrality
I was looking over some stats for the previous 3 presidential elections.
2000 (too close to list these as percentages)
------------------------
Gore 50,996,582
Bush 50,456,062 (540,520 less!)
Nader 2,858,843
1996
------------------------
Clinton 50%
Dole 42%
Perot 8%
1992
------------------------
Clinton 43%
Bush 37.7%
Perot 19%
From these figures alone you might argue that the independent
candidate in the last 3 elections probably affected the outcome.
Some might also argue that in all three elections the
independent candidate got votes that are likely to have been
cast for the loser among the two non-independent candidates.
But, take a look at these statistics. These are the numbers of
eligible votes who actually voted in each of those past elections:
Participation
-------------------------------
2000 (51.3% of eligible voters)
1996 (48.8% of eligible voters)
1992 (55.2% of eligible voters)
Clearly, if these voters showed up each race could have
been entirely different. Since many feel that we are
now in a time of crisis I leave this message to the
folks that didn't make it to the polls last time:
"The hottest place in hell is reserved for those who,
in times of great moral crisis, remain neutral."
-Dante
2000 (too close to list these as percentages)
------------------------
Gore 50,996,582
Bush 50,456,062 (540,520 less!)
Nader 2,858,843
1996
------------------------
Clinton 50%
Dole 42%
Perot 8%
1992
------------------------
Clinton 43%
Bush 37.7%
Perot 19%
From these figures alone you might argue that the independent
candidate in the last 3 elections probably affected the outcome.
Some might also argue that in all three elections the
independent candidate got votes that are likely to have been
cast for the loser among the two non-independent candidates.
But, take a look at these statistics. These are the numbers of
eligible votes who actually voted in each of those past elections:
Participation
-------------------------------
2000 (51.3% of eligible voters)
1996 (48.8% of eligible voters)
1992 (55.2% of eligible voters)
Clearly, if these voters showed up each race could have
been entirely different. Since many feel that we are
now in a time of crisis I leave this message to the
folks that didn't make it to the polls last time:
"The hottest place in hell is reserved for those who,
in times of great moral crisis, remain neutral."
-Dante
Jan 11, 2004
Neuromarketing
A study done by a high school student (and his father) while
working in his father's MRI imaging lab amounts to a high
tech version of Pepsi challenge.
When subjects were given Coke or Pepsi (without knowing
which) the MRI scanner showed that Pepsi drinkers had
activity in areas of the brain associated with reward more
often than among those drinking Coke (i.e., Pepsi tastes
better).
However, when subjects knew what they were drinking the
Coke drinkers showed activity in the areas associated with
reward as well as the areas associated with motivation and
sense of self. The reaction was dramatic and there was no
such response among Pepsi drinkers. This is consistent with
the fact that Pepsi does win taste tests but Coke sells more
product.
It turns out that there are marketing firms that already
specialize in this type of work.
working in his father's MRI imaging lab amounts to a high
tech version of Pepsi challenge.
When subjects were given Coke or Pepsi (without knowing
which) the MRI scanner showed that Pepsi drinkers had
activity in areas of the brain associated with reward more
often than among those drinking Coke (i.e., Pepsi tastes
better).
However, when subjects knew what they were drinking the
Coke drinkers showed activity in the areas associated with
reward as well as the areas associated with motivation and
sense of self. The reaction was dramatic and there was no
such response among Pepsi drinkers. This is consistent with
the fact that Pepsi does win taste tests but Coke sells more
product.
It turns out that there are marketing firms that already
specialize in this type of work.
Bush's Proposals on Immigration and Manned Exploration of Mars
President Bush has recently offered up proposals on both immigration-law reform and on
manned exploration of Mars.
Let's expose this for what it really is. First off, my sources indicate that Halliburton already has a lock on the contracts to build oil pipelines back from both Mars and the moon!
And you can pretty much bet that Bush's proposal for an over haul of immigration laws is going to include verbiage that lets Martians work here for less than the minimum wage!
manned exploration of Mars.
Let's expose this for what it really is. First off, my sources indicate that Halliburton already has a lock on the contracts to build oil pipelines back from both Mars and the moon!
And you can pretty much bet that Bush's proposal for an over haul of immigration laws is going to include verbiage that lets Martians work here for less than the minimum wage!
Jan 7, 2004
Levitra. As in levitate...
These days many commercials for pharmaceuticals don't really even say what they are for. I guess if they're for you then you just know it. I have seen this a few times now and still didn't get it. There is a picture of a 40ish guy and the voice over says "some times you need a little help getting back in the game" as this guy throws a football at a tire hanging on a rope. He misses.
The music picks up to a chipper beat and he throws the ball through the tire several... I mean multiple times. The woman in his life see this and apparently, it's good. She smiles. They embrace as he deftly flings the ball over his shoulder and it accurately penetrates the opening in the woodshed and lands right in...the box.
Since I'm not a sports fan I assumed this guy was a recognized quarterback who had a shoulder injury or something... maybe arthritis and this medicine helped his throwing arm. Until I came across this on the NPR site I didn't know this medicine is a new competitor to Viagra!
NPR : Slate's Ad Report Card: Levitra's Tire Swing
The music picks up to a chipper beat and he throws the ball through the tire several... I mean multiple times. The woman in his life see this and apparently, it's good. She smiles. They embrace as he deftly flings the ball over his shoulder and it accurately penetrates the opening in the woodshed and lands right in...the box.
Since I'm not a sports fan I assumed this guy was a recognized quarterback who had a shoulder injury or something... maybe arthritis and this medicine helped his throwing arm. Until I came across this on the NPR site I didn't know this medicine is a new competitor to Viagra!
NPR : Slate's Ad Report Card: Levitra's Tire Swing
Dec 30, 2003
Sport Homelessness
I've been looking at catalogs of camping gear lately. I got the
idea that I would look for the minimum set of equipment and
supplies that would allow one to be comfortable. Of course,
you don't want to be out there and have your equipment fail
so you would want to select the best-of-breed for each item.
Of course.
So let's see... you would want the Gortex Jacket, the titanium
cookware, the polycarbonate water bottle (all the space age
materials!). Then there is the tent, sleeping bag, pad, boots,
microfiber underwear, moisture wicking socks, pack, camp
stove, head light, multi tool, lantern, etc etc...
I started to add up the prices and determined that you would
have to be rich to go out in the woods and be homeless!
That obervation aside I don't want to leave this entry on that
note. Winter is upon us here in Chicago and this time of year
I always wonder how they do it. They being the countless
homeless in the parks and under the viaducts. And they do it
on a long-term basis without any of this equipement.
idea that I would look for the minimum set of equipment and
supplies that would allow one to be comfortable. Of course,
you don't want to be out there and have your equipment fail
so you would want to select the best-of-breed for each item.
Of course.
So let's see... you would want the Gortex Jacket, the titanium
cookware, the polycarbonate water bottle (all the space age
materials!). Then there is the tent, sleeping bag, pad, boots,
microfiber underwear, moisture wicking socks, pack, camp
stove, head light, multi tool, lantern, etc etc...
I started to add up the prices and determined that you would
have to be rich to go out in the woods and be homeless!
That obervation aside I don't want to leave this entry on that
note. Winter is upon us here in Chicago and this time of year
I always wonder how they do it. They being the countless
homeless in the parks and under the viaducts. And they do it
on a long-term basis without any of this equipement.
Dec 26, 2003
The Days are Getting Longer
Earlier cultures were very aware of the passing of the seasons,
the phases of the moon and the angle of the sun in the sky.
They noticed that the sun (which they thought of as a god)
appeared lower in the sky each day as December 21st
approached and they thought of it as "dying". On the 21st
the sun was at it lowest point in the sky and day to day
changes in the sun's position of was barely noticeable.
They thought of the sun as dead.
But after about 3 days or so a small increase in the sun's height
above the horizon was noticeable and the sun, they thought,
was reborn.
Such an interesting story those poor uninformed ancient pagans
had. That is, the idea that their god had died only to rise from
the dead three days later on about December 24th. Yeah, born
again around Christmas. Perhaps parts of the story were
compelling enough to be incorporated in to more "modern"
belief systems?
the phases of the moon and the angle of the sun in the sky.
They noticed that the sun (which they thought of as a god)
appeared lower in the sky each day as December 21st
approached and they thought of it as "dying". On the 21st
the sun was at it lowest point in the sky and day to day
changes in the sun's position of was barely noticeable.
They thought of the sun as dead.
But after about 3 days or so a small increase in the sun's height
above the horizon was noticeable and the sun, they thought,
was reborn.
Such an interesting story those poor uninformed ancient pagans
had. That is, the idea that their god had died only to rise from
the dead three days later on about December 24th. Yeah, born
again around Christmas. Perhaps parts of the story were
compelling enough to be incorporated in to more "modern"
belief systems?
Dec 9, 2003
More about Wal-Mart
There is so much information on WalMart's bad behavior
that one can really spend a lot of time taking it in. Turns
out there there is more than one web site devoted to this
sort of thing. Here are just a few:
www.walmartwatch.com
www.walmartclass.com
Here is just one little snippet (and this is far from the worst):
In Bloomington, Ill. some 20 Wal-Mart workers, in their
trademark blue vests, invaded a local Kmart store, handing out
leaflets that advertised job openings at a Wal-Mart across town—
including the benefits of working at Wal-Mart. Caught in the act,
Wal-Mart manager Jerry Herrin, who was present during the raid
but claimed to be unaware of the leafleting going on, said that
the visit was a 'routine price check.'
Wal-Mart prohibits competitors from checking prices in its stores.
Nice job whoring for WalMart - Jerry.
that one can really spend a lot of time taking it in. Turns
out there there is more than one web site devoted to this
sort of thing. Here are just a few:
www.walmartwatch.com
www.walmartclass.com
Here is just one little snippet (and this is far from the worst):
In Bloomington, Ill. some 20 Wal-Mart workers, in their
trademark blue vests, invaded a local Kmart store, handing out
leaflets that advertised job openings at a Wal-Mart across town—
including the benefits of working at Wal-Mart. Caught in the act,
Wal-Mart manager Jerry Herrin, who was present during the raid
but claimed to be unaware of the leafleting going on, said that
the visit was a 'routine price check.'
Wal-Mart prohibits competitors from checking prices in its stores.
Nice job whoring for WalMart - Jerry.
Dec 8, 2003
Wal-Mart (including Sam's Club)
A recent Fast Company (magazine) article about WalMart
closes with a mention of the difference between "price"
and "cost". The article is largely about how brutal WalMart
is in forcing their suppliers to deliver product at an ever
lower price. The result is that the supplier often winds
up having the product made overseas - that is if Walmart
doesn't dump the supplier and go overseas for the product
themselves.
They quote the head of a thread making company who says
of Americans:
We want clean air, clear water, good living conditions, the
best health care in the world - yet we aren't willing to pay
for anything manufactured under those conditions.
I can agree with that but for the most part we Americans, once
lead to the trough, are just unlikely to say no to anything. And,
by far, most Americans are unable to equate the slightly higher
price to a cleaner environment or anything else. They can't be
bothered to think about it. Among those who can, even fewer
act on that knowledge.
I'm amazed at how many people justify owning an SUV by
explaining that it saves them money -- being able to buy that
life-time supply of toilet paper from Sam's Club at "fantastic
savings".
closes with a mention of the difference between "price"
and "cost". The article is largely about how brutal WalMart
is in forcing their suppliers to deliver product at an ever
lower price. The result is that the supplier often winds
up having the product made overseas - that is if Walmart
doesn't dump the supplier and go overseas for the product
themselves.
They quote the head of a thread making company who says
of Americans:
We want clean air, clear water, good living conditions, the
best health care in the world - yet we aren't willing to pay
for anything manufactured under those conditions.
I can agree with that but for the most part we Americans, once
lead to the trough, are just unlikely to say no to anything. And,
by far, most Americans are unable to equate the slightly higher
price to a cleaner environment or anything else. They can't be
bothered to think about it. Among those who can, even fewer
act on that knowledge.
I'm amazed at how many people justify owning an SUV by
explaining that it saves them money -- being able to buy that
life-time supply of toilet paper from Sam's Club at "fantastic
savings".
Nov 6, 2003
Riddle of Epicurus
The Riddle of Epicurus (c. 341-271 BCE).
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?
Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing?
Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing?
Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing?
Then why call him God?
see: www.positiveatheism.org
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?
Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing?
Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing?
Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing?
Then why call him God?
see: www.positiveatheism.org
Sep 5, 2003
How long it should take?
How come if your boss has no idea what he wants, or
how to do it, he still thinks he "knows" exactly how
long it should take?
how to do it, he still thinks he "knows" exactly how
long it should take?
Aug 12, 2003
Artificially Flavored
I was just sitting around the office lunch room and noticed a co-worker munching on a bag of Jay's Vinegar and Salt flavored potato chips. Then I noticed the big letters...
"Artificially Flavored".
So, they're not even using real salt or vinegar anymore?
"Artificially Flavored".
So, they're not even using real salt or vinegar anymore?
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