Double Dutch

Leading the horse to the water

September 10, 2009

Right now, as you’re reading these words, there are people in nice suits in nice offices, who are trying to work out how they can best seduce us. They have identified a need. They have come up with a product. Now it’s time to take that product to market. The time has come to manipulate the masses…

I once read that, worldwide, more money is spent on advertising than on education. It’s all a matter of priorities I guess… If the world wants 300 kinds of breakfast cereal, that’s what the world shall have. If our dogs are craving ice cream, we will make ice cream for our canine friends. If you don’t trust the water that’s coming out of your faucet, let’s put the same water in plastic bottles and sell it at a premium. Oh, the joys of capitalism…  ain’t that so, Mister Michael Moore!

Seriously, I believe Dale Carnegie was right when he wrote:

“The only way to influence someone is to find out what they want, and show them how to get it.”

Since the dawn of time, politicians, psychologists and the Mad Men of Madison Avenue have attempted to master the subtle art of behavior modification. And frankly, they’ve become quite good at it, haven’t they? Not so long ago, I was convinced that I could easily live without Twitter. Now they’re trying to tell me that my life will be completely meaningless without it.

Back in May, I did not have a Facebook profile. Some people claimed that this meant I didn’t  exist. Thankfully, my doctor assured me that I am very much alive.  Now I have to go and check my “Facebook Wall” ever so often, if only to find out that Stephanie Ciccarelli is making lasagna with garlic bread for dinner. You go girl! How about adding some nutritious veggies? And how’s David doing, by the way? Oh, I see, he’s getting the wine. What kind of wine might that be, if you don’t mind me asking? Red or white? I didn’t know they had Canadian Merlot… Well, here’s to the two of you. Cheers! Let’s tweet real soon. Maybe even during our next mixer!

Be honest for a moment. With all this technology at our fingertips, are we really more connected? We can see the polar ice cap melt on Google Earth, but do we care enough to make it stop? We used to go outside to feel the temperature. Now we look it up on Wunderground. In the olden days, I visited my parents ever so often. Thank heavens for Skype and webcams! I can stay home and still see them. How amazing is that! Is there a little bit of a disconnect, perhaps?

Anyway, this was supposed to be an introduction to my latest addition to the blogosphere about what exactly moves us. I got carried away. But for those of you who are interested in the extreme sport of Static Apnea, you’re definitely in for a treat. So, allow me to take you on a little trip to Europe, if I may… to an extraordinary historical event…

continue

Entry Filed under: Articles. .