Yes, we can make a difference
There are hundreds (if not thousands) of recaps, reviews, etc of this weekends events at the NYC Hilton. I don’t need to tell you that there were thousands (I think) of women and a maybe a couple of dozen men sprinkled in, all with different goals underscored by the commonality of blogging. But even if you weren’t there, chances are if you are reading this, you know what it was all about. So, I will not rehash what really requires no rehashing.
Instead, I will share what I learned, because obviously being in the minority at this event, my perceptions and what I took away, particularly from the keynote speeches will be markedly different than those of the majority. In particular I took a lot away from the closing keynote, because while it was geared and spoke directly to the women of the crowd, the underlying theme is one that we all know but sometimes forget (or toss aside because of political use… but that is another story)… and that message is… “Yes, I can make a difference!”
Ever so often I tend to start shying away from posting here when I get too caught up in one of my phases. In particularly one of my ranting phases. ”Who wants to hear this?” I ask myself. ”Who cares?” and “What difference is it going to make?” During the Keynote it was asked if the sponsors were there “because they like us? No!” And it very true. We as consumers have a lot of power. We as voices on the Internet have even more power. We have the power to not only vote with our wallets, but to spread the word, not to mention the ability to do what PR people fear most… spread the word.
And oddly enough, just today, I saw on Twitter, a post that described this sentiment exactly:
@StephanieWDC: The era of effective consumer boycotts is over. Companies don’t change behavior, they just get better at PR.
And this helped gel my new affirmation I had pledged to myself. This is NOT true unless we allow it to be true. There are victories (albeit small at times) that are being won all over the place if you take the time to look. More and more milk companies are asking farmers to take “No bovine hormone” pledges and offering milk that is no longer tainted with this. Why? Because consumers demanded it. In many of the consumer products that dotted the exhibit all you were seeing the effects of the demands of consumers, items made with fresh ingredients, items that were now organic, or made with greener packaging. No, it is not every company, and some of the companies are being sneaky (but I will address that tomorrow) with their ingredients, but the effects are clear, they are real and they are tangible. And they are there because, “Yes… We CAN!” (please again, put aside your political ideology, because that is not what this is about)
You will see “experts” that will say bloggers are a bunch of egotistical beings that like to hear themselves talk (so to speak), and to some extent, there is probably a modicum of truth to that. I didn’t start blogging because of money, it is not my “job” it is a passion, and one I take pride in doing. So, yes if that is egotistical of me… so be it. But that doesn’t make my voice, my feelings, my opinions any less worthy. It doesn’t mean that if I want to help effect change by supporting the removal of rBGH from milk, or warning others of the dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup that my sharing that information is just as valid as any other persons.
There is a great line in the movie, “National Treasure” where Benjamin Gates (Nicholas Cage) paraphrases something from the Declaration of Independence:
“If there’s something wrong, those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action.”
If you liked nothing else about this movie, this is a great line, and one that is an excellent take away for every person. We as bloggers, whether the cause be big or small, whether we are trying to right injustices all over the world, or just in our own back yard, we have the tools… and I don’t mean the Web Server, or WordPress, etc. I mean we have a voice, we have a platform, we have the ability to affect change, whether it be fixing problems with food, seeking parity between men and women in elected offices, ensuring our children get the educations they deserve, or finding the best knitting needles to make a scarf, whatever it is you strive to do, to say, to acquire the knowledge to learn, you have the ability. Now it is up to you to go out and do it. say it. be it. Because, Yes… We Can!
Don’t forget Dad
I ranted a bit on Twitter back during the Olympics about the Proctor & Gamble “Thanks Mom” campaign. I can sum up my those dozen or so Tweets and my feelings on the matter in a few simple words… “Screw You P&G.”
So, why am I going on about this again *now*? Well, two reasons. The first is because they have once again been pushing through with some bloggers on additional “Thank You Mom” posts, but the second is much more personal. I have gone on (and on and on) about LatteGirl and her Ice Skating, here, on Twitter, IRL and anywhere else I can, and I know some of you at least are probably tired of hearing about it by now. This week however, while LatteGirl is up in Boston competing at the ISI World Team Championships 2010, I am back at home, and it is this that is currently making me (despite my tag line), just a bit bitter.
As many already know, I take a very active interest in her skating. I attend every competition I possibly can, I cheer her on as much as anybody can, heck I started taking ice skating lessons just to be able to have a better understanding of terms, and be able to spend some time with her in her element. But just as important (I believe), I fund all of this. So, no I am not in Boston right now, not because I don’t want to be there, but because we cannot afford for me to be there. Besides the additional expense of me actually taking the trip, then we would have to board the dogs, and I would have to sacrifice income… Income that we need for her to be able to be able to participate in these events.
Tell me the truth, isn’t that worth a little appreciation for what Dad does? No, I am not there, but that doesn’t make me any less of a supporter in her interests. The title of this is a bit off, but I don’t know another way to put it. I am not necessarily looking for a pat on the back, nor do I think most mothers do it for that reason. They do it for the benefit of their kids as I do. But, I guess it seems that marketers these days are falling all over themselves nowadays to ensure they are pitching to Mom, that Dad sort of gets forgotten in his role. Don’t forget Dad, he cares too.
Memorial Day IS (and isn’t)
This weekend is Memorial Day in the U.S. as most (if not all) of you know. When I was a kid, this was (next to Xmas) one of my favorite holidays. I helped my dad several times build floats for the Memorial Day Parade, I went with him on the Sunday two weeks before to help raise money for Disabled American Veterans, and on the Sunday before to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with American Flags. I’d help sell (well at least I thought I was helping) Poppies. I’d run and collect .30-06 shells from the rifles used for the 21 gun salute and several times I got to march with him and his War Veterans Post in the Memorial Day Parade.
But I must admit, it has been a long time since I have really enjoyed the holiday. People talk about Xmas losing its “meaning” (don’t get me started on that one), but I don’t know if any holiday has lost more of its true meaning than Memorial Day.
What is Memorial Day? Memorial Day (originally Decoration Day) is a day set aside to Honor and commemorate those that lost their lives defending this country in a time of war.
Now I am not saying that people need to sit around and mourn or be solemn on this day. I actually think and like the traditions of Barbecues and festivities that often take place. Think of it as a giant Irish Wake to celebrate the lives of these brave men and women that have given their lives.
What Memorial Day ISN’T.
It isn’t JUST the “unofficial start of summer.” While you are enjoying those burgers and cold drinks, don’t forget to remember those people that gave their lives so that you could enjoy those things.
Just as importantly (though some may not realize they are doing this), Memorial Day is most definitely NOT a day to use the military as your political pawn. It is not a day to try and tell people how much more patriotic you are than somebody else.
It is not a day to make a statement about policies you would like to see enacted (or repealed).
Using these brave souls as a tool on this day is a disgrace to their memories… but yes, you do have a right to do it if you want, thanks at least in part to their sacrifices.
Remember those that have died in defending our country.
Celebrate in their honor.
Thank those living that continue to carry on those missions.
Leave the rhetoric until Tuesday… don’t worry, it isn’t going anywhere.
Mobile Phones for Kids and Snooty People’s Opinions
I know that seems like an odd combination, but please try and bear with me. I had initially planned on writing about my experiences with attempting to put together a trampoline, but that will have to wait as I have a thorn in my paw.
It was really a fairly innocuous tweet from Lucretia M Pruitt (@LucretiaPruitt on Twitter), that really got me started again… but I really guess I should start with a little back story first, so insert the wavy screen filter and dreamy music as I bring you back a couple of years ago.
Here we are, circa 2007 or so. My daughter whining about wanting a cell phone. After all, “all her friends had them,” and she wanted one too. It was also a time when you couldn’t open a newspaper without hearing stories about kids texting in class, and schools banning cell phone, and other such stuff. I was honestly confused at the time. Why were parents buying kids cell phones at such young ages? I wasn’t indignant about it (more on that in a minute), but just couldn’t see the rationality of it. Then slowly people started giving some rally valid points. Kids in more than one place at more than one activity, was one of the first that really resonated with me. But surely I didn’t have that issue since I only had one to worry about. Some pointed out the GPS feature in case of a child being abducted, but that to me was more about marketing attempting to scare folks into buying a phone, because more than likely that phone would get tossed by the abductor.
Fast forward to 2009, and my daughter would be finishing her ice skating camp approximately 1/2 before anybody could get there to pick her up. Now there was plenty of things to do and to keep her occupied for that half hour. But there was something missing. Something that didn’t fit in with our “in case of emergency plan” of making sure she had change to call one of us should the need arise. That problem… there was no pay phone. Look around. There aren’t many left, and even fewer that actually function.
We thought about it… not for very long, and I went out and picked her up a Pre-paid mobile phone. I sat down with my princess and explained the rules to her. I explained the charges, and what limits she had to abide by. A year later, she has followed those rules quite well… and it has worked out that we feel quite comforted that she can get in contact with us at any time in case of emergency. (Quick Pimp… This is what lead me to review the new Kin Phones from Microsoft, which I have done on my new Review Blog)
So now, we are considering the next step, and that is giving her a better phone. Back in 2007, I was dead set against this, but in reality, it was trying to keep her little, and not acknowledging that times are different. Markedly so. There isn’t a pay phone everywhere. And (provided you set down the rules and they listen to them), it teaches responsibility as an added bonus. So really, it really is a great thing all the way around.
Now, I am a rather opinionated fellow (hey… I heard that). Of this I do not and cannot argue (oddly enough). Certainly, Lucretia and I have disagreed on things before (aha… you thought I forgot that I had mentioned her earlier didn’t you?). But disagree doesn’t mean anything but the fact that we have varying view points at times. What got me started on this was her Tweet that went:
You can curse me all you like. We got the kidlet her own cell for emergencies. Tired of loaning her my ‘droid
Curse you? For giving a kid a cell for emergencies? WTF. And as is not uncommon, somebody else stated (better than I ever could) what was on my mind (in this case it was BusyMom)
@LucretiaPruitt Ya know? A phone is just a tool, not sure when it became some sign of parenting superiority. Don’t even start me…
There it was, something that has been bugging the ever living hell out of me lately. Snooty, who the hell they think they are people with some sort of superiority complex. There are some places, that it is just as equally inappropriate, but more expected, like in political conversations… but in parenting?? If you are a parent presently… then guess what… you are still going through on the job training, and that job isn’t done yet. You haven’t graduated. You do not have a “proven method” regardless of how well Muffy and Chad are doing at the Academy of Really big Important Sounding Name School that I use to show how great my kids are and rattle off to get adoration and hear sounds of jealousy from others. You not not done. So please, stop and think for a minute before you open your mouth. Consider for a second that somebody else’s situation may be different than yours. Consider the oh so slim possibility, that you may not be correct. Shocking, I know. But it is possible. So just climb down off that high horse. This doesn’t just apply to cell phones, or any one particular issue, but your overbearing, unwanted “edict” of trying to rein down your superior knowledge. If you are still parent… your job is not done yet… and that means, you still do not have all the answers. You have opinions. Nothing wrong with sharing them. But before you are going to start lecturing somebody else about their parenting. Stop, sit down, and shut up, until that feeling passes. Then try talking to somebody as an equal, share your opinions (if they are wanted), and don’t forget to listen as well… because you just might learn something.
Recently, I’ve learned that it is not always what I say, but how I say it that makes a big difference. Tell me, what have you learned that you didn’t know before.
Beware…Facebook is officially broken
I am sure that some people have felt this for some time already. Others may not have quite caught on yet. But Facebook, the Social Networking powerhouse is broken. No the site isn’t down. But rather than continuing to try and sneak features by people that they eventually catch on to and turn off in their privacy settings, Facebook has now upped the ante and essentially crippled features unless you make your information public for all the world to see.
It apparently starting rolling out last week, but it finally hit my profile today. A popup notifying me that it now links things in my profile. My hometown, my likes, my previous employer information, etc. OK, on the surface, it is not a horrible or particularly evil feature, I could link and find other people that went to my same high school, or worked at some of the same previous employers. Except, all of that information is public to the world once I do that. Not than any of this information is “top secret” stuff, but still, I would rather have some sort of filters against what I make easy for Phishers and other scam artists to cull, or at least make them work for it, and not provide everything a would be thief needs for identity theft to be served up to them for free.
OK, fine, so I will need to pick and choose what I am going to allow Facebook to link to, this way only what I don’t mind being public is out there. Right? Nope! That doesn’t work either, and this is why I say Facebook is broken. If you are not willing to make the information public… then Facebook will no longer allow you to have it as part of your profile… period. They won’t just leave it unlinked… no, after you go through this process, anything you don’t allow it to link IS REMOVED FROM YOUR PROFILE!
I don’t mind ads, and I realize targeted information makes for better advertising dollars, and since Facebook is FREE (despite what all those stupid groups “warning” about Facebook starting to charge May 1, May 15, July 10th and August 33rd, prices from $4.95 to eleventy billion dollars a month are saying) and I don’t mind Facebook making money, they have simply gone from bad to downright evil in their attempts to coax people into making information public.
Now please don’t tell me something stupid like I could go back to using Friendster or MySpace. Let us be honest for a second, MySpace is for bands and people that want to decorate their pages like a 12 year old with a poster fetish, and does ANYBODY use Friendster anymore? Didn’t think so.
Yes, I know and am well aware of the privacy settings, and will turn off what I don’t want to be public. But that prevents me from sharing things that I wish to with my friends and family. Worse, now I also feel like I need to start a help group for those that may not be as tech savvy or are unaware of what the implication are of these moves. Incidentally, if you feel unsure about what is being made public by any of these new changes, feel free to e-mail or leave a comment and I will be happy to help.
For those old enough to remember Hill Street Blues, at the beginning of every episode the Seargeant would warn them, “Let’s be careful out there.” That now definitely applies to Facebook. Be careful, be aware, and beware of what you may be exposing to the world. Facebook is now broken. Pass it on.
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