Addendum to last Whole Foods post
The sign reads: "for every shopping bag you bring in and re-use when you shop!"
Wouldn't it be more effective to just offer cloth bags?
Make it an "in-thing" a marketing stunt where people without cloth bags will feel "out" of the cool club. People without cloth bags will be openly exposed as anti-environment.
These kinds of trends catch on really fast in NYC, I'm sure it would work out well for Whole Foods - and more importantly, for the environment.
Labels: commerce, green, marketing
This entry was posted
on Mar 30, 2007 at 3/30/2007 12:13:00 AM.
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Whole Foods is Nuts!
This product, Hand-Ease - which Whole Foods gives away for free - is a remarkable waste of natural resources, as well as money.
I couldn't figure out why there were cardboard disks at every register, so I had to ask the cashier. She proceeded to chuckle (acknowledging the silliness of the product) as she told me that they're intended to make it more comfortable to carry multiple heavy plastic bags - which often crease your hand... I asked her if they charge people for them (which would be consistent with them taking $0.05 off for each plastic bag you don't take) - she said no. I asked if many people use them & she laughed when saying "people love them!"
For a company that brands itself as an environmentally friendly, this is a disgusting & hypocritical move. They should take note of what was done today in San Francisco (the first city in the US, but far behind many other countries...) - where they passed a ban on plastic bags. Supermarkets will be required to offer paper bags or reusable cloth bags. By offering these discs, Whole Foods is going completely against the ban in San Francisco by making the use of plastic bags more convenient, rather than curbing it all together.
Note: After visiting Melbourne, Australia and Kingston, Ontario, I noticed a trend: everyone brought a cloth bag with them to the supermarket. Why? Because in Melbourne, they don't offer plastic bags, and in Kingston, if plastic bags are offered, you must pay $0.05 each. Since then, I started carrying a shoulder bag with me everywhere, and refuse the plastic bags no matter which store I'm at. You should try it too.
Labels: environmentalism, green, ridiculous
This entry was posted
on Mar 28, 2007 at 3/28/2007 10:31:00 PM.
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Freedom in Israel
I was compelled to write this post because of the complete lack of coverage on a remarkable event that occurred today in Israel. There was a conference held in Haifa, Israel by an organization called "Asawat". This is an organization representing and supporting Lesbian Palestinians.
For all of the bad press Israel gets around the world for their treatment of Palestinians, I rarely find any news organization citing the freedom Arabs (and everyone else for that matter) enjoy within Israel. It's also difficult to find coverage of incidents where good things happen between Israelis and Arabs. In fact, it was only in Israeli and Jewish Press that I found coverage of the conference.
One must note (as the Jewish Post did) that Israel is the only country in the Arab world where Lesbians can be out of the closet, and not be killed for being honest. Apparently Israeli police were heavily securing the conference as Israeli Arabs threatened the conference's organizers (which means Israel, as a State, was supporting Asawat's right to exist). This is a significant event on so many levels. Consider the fact that Israel is a Jewish state - and in general, Judaism doesn't condone homosexuality; but in this case the State defended democratic principles before supporting religious principles - regardless of who's rights need to be defended (Arab or Israeli). Furthermore, consider that Arabs in and out of Israel were threatening Asawat with violence, and Israel was still willing to put it's own civil servants in danger... and for what? To protect the rights of a small, and persecuted minority. Thankfully, we have the Internet, where events like this can be recorded and reviewed in the future - where the full record of Israel's role in the world can be reviewed, and looked at objectively for what it is.
I'll leave the rhetoric about how insane it is to hate someone because of their sexual orientation to others. I'm sure you can guess my position on this.
Labels: Human, Israel, Lesbian, Palestinian, Rights
This entry was posted
on at 3/28/2007 06:01:00 PM.
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On Listening
Because the amount of time I have to post on this blog fluctuates dramatically, I've found it hard to stick to one theme. I guess that's good since at the end of the day, if no one reads this but me, it'll be a good record of where my mind was at various points in time. That said, one of the many topics I'd like to write regularly about is "listening".
This evening I was watching Charlie Rose on PBS (the only channel worth watching). Each night this week he's asking his guests what they would advise the next president of the United States to do. Tonight he aired conversations with Madeline Albright and Newt Gingrich. They were on separately- he taped Gingrich last night. Independent of each other, each one's first comment was that the next president must be able to listen. Gingrich went as far as to say that the next president should take a tour of the world, go to as many countries as possible... go to their capitals and let them invite whoever they want. Go there and listen carefully to what they have to say. In order to be an effective leader of the world (a role we have, like it or not), we must have an appreciation for what those being led care about.
This is such sound advice, it's hard to find a place to begin. Listening is one of the most important skills that as Americans, we're never taught. Americans grow up believing that we know best, and that others will submit to our will. Our current president is a stellar example of that thought process.
One of the many lessons that I've learned in the past two years is that I don't know everything. And that by listening to others carefully, not only do I learn a lot - it reinforces for me just how much I can learn from others. Wikipedia is a fantastic example of this.
For all of Wikipedia's faults, it will eventually be the most comprehensive and most representative living document of the history of our world. Why? Because it builds on the collective knowledge of everyone with access to the Internet. Throughout history, a select few had total control of what history was recorded, and what history was cast aside. Today, one person can write an account of an historical event; and someone else can refute that account - or offer another perspective. This result is great; because it gives future readers an opportunity to experience / listen to multiple takes on a given event. As is often the case - both (or any number) of accounts will partially be right.
I read Google News (as my primary news source) for the same reason. When something happens in Israel, Google News will lead me to news reports from around the globe. This access offers me insight as to how a particular event affected different people, giving me a better appreciation for what happened.
I really do hope the candidates are watching Charlie Rose's interviews this week, and listening carefully.
Labels: Listening, Philosophy
This entry was posted
on at 3/28/2007 01:02:00 AM.
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Where's the entertainment biz going?
Since Napster's heyday, my friends and I have been kicking around business models for the entertainment businesses at large - our favorite idea is one that the music business is finally warming up to.
This is where TV is going (and eventually all forms of entertainment). HBO's current model (to which we're stubbornly sticking to) will have to change drastically. Are we getting ready?
***
Note: I often send out messages like this in email form to my co-workers at HBO, as well as friends and comrades in the business.
This entry was posted
on Mar 19, 2007 at 3/19/2007 07:32:00 PM.
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Fare well, and much respect...
Last week my brother and I wanted to treat a friend from out-of-town, to the best Japanese Noodle restaurant in New York City: Honmura An. Unfortunately we learned that they closed! Many publications covered the restaurant's closing; I happened to like City Magazine's coverage - it's short, check it out.
The restaurant was very Japanese - in culture. Subtle perfection. If you weren't looking for Honmura, you probably wouldn't notice it. It was on the second floor, with a very simple sign outside. A plaque placed between an I-beam. When you walked in, you walked up a flight of stairs that were made of beautiful wood. Above the staircase was a series of red string, tied in a horizontal row, spaced about 1" apart - creating a "lined roof". There was a light that hit the string on such a subtly perfect angle so as to cast a cascading shadow onto the walls of the staircase. It was beautiful.
Justin was introduced to Honmura by Japanese clients who, when coming to NYC, couldn't stomach the food at most restaurants. Our food has too much fat and sugar in it. Their stomachs weren't used to it (and ours shouldn't be).
When you entered the restaurant, the tables were set up in a "U" shape around the restaurant, with the staircase in the center of the room. The chairs were extremely comfortable, the tables were just the right size, and the acoustics were perfect. It was rare for the restaurant to have a free table - reservations were a must. When you sat there, you felt it was a bustling restaurant, but because of the acoustics - you also felt like you were in an intimate setting. They could have packed in more people, flipped the tables more quickly - but they didn't, because a meal for them was an experience.
And the food... well, it was amazing. Everything was made to order. When you ordered a noodle dish, they didn't drop noodles into hot water - they made the noodles, by hand, when you ordered them. Timing was always perfect, and portions just right.
I'm sad to see this restaurant go. But I have much respect for the owners, who take so much pride in their work, really love and respect their customers, and know how hard it is to create (and more importantly) sustain a great product and service. Most New Yorkers (as City Magazine's article suggests) probably think the owner is crazy. He and his family have developed such an amazing brand, and they're just throwing it away! Why doesn't he sell it?!?!
The answer (imho) is simple. Too often we find in NYC that quality isn't valued. Bigger, Faster, NOW!!! - that's what people want. Slow and steady often wins the race though - a lesson I'm struggling to learn, but certainly respect. Furthermore, the work ethic that this family has is incredible. Their level of commitment and discipline - a requirement to sustain the business that is Honmura An - is rare. You don't build up a brand like theirs, just to see it ruined by others...
Fare well, and thanks for the great experiences!
---
So, where do we go now for great Soba and Udon? Soba-Ya on, 9th Street. It's not as good as Honmura, but it's better than the rest.
This entry was posted
on at 3/19/2007 06:23:00 PM.
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Response to AdAge
Since my last post, I found that The Independent published a response to AdAge's claims about the Red Campaign. Luckly there are people out there who care about facts...
This entry was posted
on Mar 16, 2007 at 3/16/2007 12:45:00 AM.
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The Red Campaign
Recently a friend gave me the audio book of the 2005 Massey Lecture Series where Stephen Lewis presents at five Canadian universities, giving a first-hand account of the unfathomable challenges Africans are facing as a result of AIDS. After hearing Mr. Lewis' speaches, I immediately felt the need to do something. But where do I start? The future of Africa is really bleak - even if we were able to erradicate AIDS today! So what if I try to help, can I even make a tiny dent? Mr. Lewis mentions that because AIDS has been destroying communities in Africa for the past two decades, in many towns and villages throughout the continent there are no adults! Everyone between the ages of 20 and 50 are dead! The elderly are too old to work the land, and the young haven't had anyone to teach them life/survival skills. So people are starving to death while living on fertile soil. In many cases a child as young as 8 - the oldest in the family - was left to care for their younger siblings, as both parents and grandparents had died. Where do we start!!?!?!
I did develop some ideas that I will post in a future blog...
But for the purposes of this entry, I want to applaud someone who has decided to do something: Bono. His RED campaign is truly remarkable. The problems facing Africa are so daunting that anyone who actually stands up and does something deserves a true salute. If their efforts fail to meet their goals, then we need to reasess - rather than decry. I started writing this post after reading an article in AdAge that really troubled me. AdAge effectively called Bono’s campaign a failure (excerpt below). Their facts seem skewed... but even if their facts are correct, as I wrote above, coming down hard on Bono is just plain dumb. Convincing as many companies as he did to incorporate a “real” cause into their products, raise money, and more importantly raise awareness about Aids in Africa is an amazing accomplishment.
Please let me know what your thoughts are on Bono's efforts. And if you think his efforts are flawed, please offer some suggestions to fix them...
Excerpt:
Costly Red Campaign Reaps Meager $18 Million
Bono & Co. Spend up to $100 Million on Marketing, Incur Watchdogs’ Wrath
The Red charity advertising campaign endorsed so lavishly by Hollywood celebrities including Bono, Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Christy Turlington and Chris Rock has taken in only $18 million worldwide since it was launched a year ago. And the disproportionate ratio between the marketing outlay and the money raised is drawing concern among nonprofit watchdogs, cause-marketing experts and even executives in the ad business...
Labels: Activism, AIDS, Human_Rights
This entry was posted
on Mar 6, 2007 at 3/06/2007 12:04:00 AM.
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Education Theory
This evening I heard about a guy who's unfortunately rather lazy. He's in his early 20's, college educated, and has never had a job - nor any real drive to get a job. The worst part is, his parents continue to give him everything he needs to live an independent life, without working. He's a classic gen-x'er (I think). His parents are immigrants who are each remarkable people in their own right. They came here with nothing, not even speaking the language, and now live the American dream (sans white picket fences). It's remarkable how often I see this scenario.
I was discussing this issue with a friend today, and we were considering why it is that so many parents - who are so motivated and accomplished - end up with kids who are so unmotivated. Is it even the parent's fault? Could it be that a percentage of the population is simply born lacking motivation?
We agreed that it's probably a little bit of how people are born, but mostly how they're raised. I went on to consider what parents can do - how they find the middle ground between providing opportunities for their kids, while developing a solid appreciation for what they've got - as well as a solid work-ethic.
We discussed how when raising a child, one can't really "teach" them how to have a good work ethic - with a specific goal in mind. Rather, the approach should be one of creating a good framework within which children can experience a nurturing environment that espouses an appreciation for achievement - and setting goals that are attainable, yet challenging. An essential element to this is to keep kids hungry. Regardless of your ability to provide everything for your kids - from the age of ~ 14, I believe it's healthy to begin showing them that they can't expect to rely on their parents much longer for financial support. Give them jobs to do - rather than chores (which they can earn money from). For example: rather than "force" your kids to mow the lawn (a chore) - pay them to be your landscaper, by letting them pick which plants and shrubs to plant, learning how to keep the ph balance of the soil just right, maintaining a compost heep, etc... this way they have a vested interest, and can develop a sense of self-confidence because they are the ones who make the big decisions. Soon they'll be doing it more for the challenge than the money - and you won't have to remind them to mow the lawn because they'll be excited to do it. Landscaping is an easy one because it's very public, and easy for your kids to be recognized for it. Every neighbor and visitor will be impressed with their work & likely let them know it.
If you don't have a yard, or if yours is simply too big - help your kids get a job - no matter how "menial" you think it is. Let them work for someone who sees them as nothing more than an employee - so they can develop social skills with adults, and have an appreciation for money that someone else other than a family member gave them.
Labels: Life_Tools, Philosophy
This entry was posted
on Mar 1, 2007 at 3/01/2007 01:41:00 AM.
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The sign reads: "for every shopping bag you bring in and re-use when you shop!"
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