Comments on: Too Much of a Good Thing? http://www.thedarkglass.net/2007/01/10/too-much-of-a-good-thing/ trying to nail down the shifting signifiers Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:34:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Simon http://www.thedarkglass.net/2007/01/10/too-much-of-a-good-thing/#comment-782 Simon Sun, 14 Jan 2007 13:47:56 +0000 http://www.thedarkglass.net/2007/01/10/too-much-of-a-good-thing/#comment-782 I've often thought to myself that a charity should maybe do an ad campaign that takes L'Oreal's "Because I'm worth it" idea and turn it on its head. The L'Oreal slogan is clever, because its appeals sends an obvious message while also justifying to some extent the fact that L'Oreal products are a bit pricey. "This hair product is so good, you're not complete without it, you should spend that little bit extra on your looks today because you are worth it." Clever stuff. But, if I was running Oxfam or some such charity, I'd show the usual pictures of people, with the small steps they're taking to get a better life. Then make the appeal and tag it "Because they're worth it." I’ve often thought to myself that a charity should maybe do an ad campaign that takes L’Oreal’s “Because I’m worth it” idea and turn it on its head. The L’Oreal slogan is clever, because its appeals sends an obvious message while also justifying to some extent the fact that L’Oreal products are a bit pricey. “This hair product is so good, you’re not complete without it, you should spend that little bit extra on your looks today because you are worth it.” Clever stuff. But, if I was running Oxfam or some such charity, I’d show the usual pictures of people, with the small steps they’re taking to get a better life. Then make the appeal and tag it “Because they’re worth it.”

]]> By: Anthony Velez http://www.thedarkglass.net/2007/01/10/too-much-of-a-good-thing/#comment-756 Anthony Velez Thu, 11 Jan 2007 18:23:18 +0000 http://www.thedarkglass.net/2007/01/10/too-much-of-a-good-thing/#comment-756 Tom, I agree. The Storage Industry is certaily a sign and symptom of what I have heard referred to as Affluenza, which I think is an American epidemic. We are driven to find a sense of who we are, to find a sense of completion through the things we own or the products we use. The underlying message of all advertising is "Without our product (or service) you are incomplete". In respose to that message I say "I Damn thee hellish lie!" Tom, I agree. The Storage Industry is certaily a sign and symptom of what I have heard referred to as Affluenza, which I think is an American epidemic. We are driven to find a sense of who we are, to find a sense of completion through the things we own or the products we use. The underlying message of all advertising is “Without our product (or service) you are incomplete”. In respose to that message I say “I Damn thee hellish lie!”

]]> By: Anthony Velez http://www.thedarkglass.net/2007/01/10/too-much-of-a-good-thing/#comment-755 Anthony Velez Thu, 11 Jan 2007 18:17:07 +0000 http://www.thedarkglass.net/2007/01/10/too-much-of-a-good-thing/#comment-755 Simon, I think that large part of our disconnection comes from the world within the world that we create through various types of technology. The technology that we create and the way we employ it deeply influences our sense of self and the world around us, and I think it often gives us a sense of autonomy and control that goes beyond what is real and healthy. This idea connects with the idea of "too much" insofar as technology is the means by which we are able to create an abundance, even a surplus. It also connects with the idea of "disconnection" because we can use technology as a substitute (a poor one) for the needs we are hardwired to meet through genuine human relationships. Simon, I think that large part of our disconnection comes from the world within the world that we create through various types of technology. The technology that we create and the way we employ it deeply influences our sense of self and the world around us, and I think it often gives us a sense of autonomy and control that goes beyond what is real and healthy. This idea connects with the idea of “too much” insofar as technology is the means by which we are able to create an abundance, even a surplus. It also connects with the idea of “disconnection” because we can use technology as a substitute (a poor one) for the needs we are hardwired to meet through genuine human relationships.

]]> By: tom http://www.thedarkglass.net/2007/01/10/too-much-of-a-good-thing/#comment-744 tom Wed, 10 Jan 2007 19:26:38 +0000 http://www.thedarkglass.net/2007/01/10/too-much-of-a-good-thing/#comment-744 As I drove through Fresno at Christmas I noticed the enormous amount of Mini Storage places. Almost as many as there were Starbucks. Yes we have to much. We saw this when we moved. When the movers say that the cost of the move is based on a per pound measurement, it makes you think about what you really need. As I drove through Fresno at Christmas I noticed the enormous amount of Mini Storage places. Almost as many as there were Starbucks. Yes we have to much. We saw this when we moved. When the movers say that the cost of the move is based on a per pound measurement, it makes you think about what you really need.

]]> By: Simon http://www.thedarkglass.net/2007/01/10/too-much-of-a-good-thing/#comment-743 Simon Wed, 10 Jan 2007 18:46:58 +0000 http://www.thedarkglass.net/2007/01/10/too-much-of-a-good-thing/#comment-743 Good post there Anthony! You know, I have said this before as you know, but my trip to India and Katrina struck Mississippi really illustrated that 'too much of a good thing' issue to me. Having had, shall we say, 'an interesting life,' I feel that I am very grateful for the good things in my life. By good things I don't mean my convertible sports car, buoyant bank account, the Macs or my TiVo, I mean the basics that I think many of us overlook as good, and instead just view as an entitlement. My health, my wealth (as in I can feed and cloth myself), and my freedom are aspects that I value above all else. I felt after my trip to India, that for all our wealth and technology, we have somehow entombed ourselves in fortresses to protect the 'things' we have accumulated without realizing that in the process we have isolated ourselves and become disconnected in the most awful of ways. The local Indian people I met, many of whom were among the poorest people in the world, we the most open 'unspoiled' people I have ever met. They were willing to share their food with us and welcomed us to their mud huts with the warmth of family. They were not connected to the outside world in the same way you and I are. No TV, not cable news, no cell phone or internet, they were essentially cut off from it all, but in their globally isolated villages there was a true sense of connection to one another. They were invested in each other, looking out for one another and one anothers kids, they were a community in a way myspace could never be. never before had I seen or experienced this level of connection, and in my world I am supposed to be connected to it all! I feel like we have complicated our lives to such an extent that our advanced western lives have cut us off from each other and God in ways I can't imagine could ever be reversed. We aspire to 'things' that serve only to distract us from making real connections. Our culture is obsessed with storing up 'manna' because to rely on anything else would take the kind of faith, trust and connection that I feel we have all but lost in our modern lives. Religious leader constantly worry about this sin, or that sin. People march and hold placards getting worked up about the small print of life while 6,500 Africans are still dying every day of a preventable, treatable disease, for lack of drugs we can buy at any drug store. We've become entirely disconnected and as if to prove that here I am commenting on the blog of a guy who lives almost on the other side of the world to me. I know you're name, your wife and children's name, I flown across a continent to spend time with you, yet I have no idea what my neighbors name is, what he does for a living, where he grew up, or anything about him at all. Sorry for the long response my friend. But you touched a subject that I feel strongly about. Great post, good to have you back in blogshere again! Good post there Anthony!

You know, I have said this before as you know, but my trip to India and Katrina struck Mississippi really illustrated that ‘too much of a good thing’ issue to me. Having had, shall we say, ‘an interesting life,’ I feel that I am very grateful for the good things in my life. By good things I don’t mean my convertible sports car, buoyant bank account, the Macs or my TiVo, I mean the basics that I think many of us overlook as good, and instead just view as an entitlement. My health, my wealth (as in I can feed and cloth myself), and my freedom are aspects that I value above all else.

I felt after my trip to India, that for all our wealth and technology, we have somehow entombed ourselves in fortresses to protect the ‘things’ we have accumulated without realizing that in the process we have isolated ourselves and become disconnected in the most awful of ways.

The local Indian people I met, many of whom were among the poorest people in the world, we the most open ‘unspoiled’ people I have ever met. They were willing to share their food with us and welcomed us to their mud huts with the warmth of family. They were not connected to the outside world in the same way you and I are. No TV, not cable news, no cell phone or internet, they were essentially cut off from it all, but in their globally isolated villages there was a true sense of connection to one another. They were invested in each other, looking out for one another and one anothers kids, they were a community in a way myspace could never be. never before had I seen or experienced this level of connection, and in my world I am supposed to be connected to it all!

I feel like we have complicated our lives to such an extent that our advanced western lives have cut us off from each other and God in ways I can’t imagine could ever be reversed. We aspire to ‘things’ that serve only to distract us from making real connections. Our culture is obsessed with storing up ‘manna’ because to rely on anything else would take the kind of faith, trust and connection that I feel we have all but lost in our modern lives.

Religious leader constantly worry about this sin, or that sin. People march and hold placards getting worked up about the small print of life while 6,500 Africans are still dying every day of a preventable, treatable disease, for lack of drugs we can buy at any drug store. We’ve become entirely disconnected and as if to prove that here I am commenting on the blog of a guy who lives almost on the other side of the world to me. I know you’re name, your wife and children’s name, I flown across a continent to spend time with you, yet I have no idea what my neighbors name is, what he does for a living, where he grew up, or anything about him at all.

Sorry for the long response my friend. But you touched a subject that I feel strongly about. Great post, good to have you back in blogshere again!

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