That time was college, and it is past. But the people who so enriched my life are alive and well, dispersed across the globe and Internet accessible. And so, this blog is for them. Well, mostly for me. But also for them. And, okay, by nature of its format, also for anyone online. But definitely for them. Because I will not join Twitter and I update my Facebook status sparingly. I do not believe in force-feeding information. But I do believe it is possible that people just maybe might be interested in my occasional observations, particularly people who know me and my (in)sensibilities.
And I just have to say something about the Starbucks ad I saw yesterday. The copy reads:
STARBUCKS OR NOTHING
Because compromise leaves a really bad aftertaste.
I was equal parts impressed and disgusted when I saw this poster encased in glass on the side of a bus stop. I know Starbucks has lost some money, but is disparaging compromise going to earn them business? It's like the company is encouraging consumers to behave like spoiled brats: If I can't have the expensive brew, I won't have any!
But the ad is brilliant in its logic, because the two options create a win-win situation: Customers either buy Starbucks, or they don't buy coffee anywhere else (presumably staving off defects to Dunkin' Donuts). And given that coffee is addictive, it's a safe bet the "nothing" option is essentially null. So, well done Starbucks. Way to promote snobbery and stubbornness. Just what we need more of in NYC.
[Note: This post was written while sipping on a Starbucks grande iced coffee with free hazelnut syrup and soy milk. At $2.11 (tax included), it cost about the same as an iced coffee from Dunkin' Donuts, and free syrup and soy milk are harder to ignore than appalling ads.]
Because compromise leaves a really bad aftertaste.
I was equal parts impressed and disgusted when I saw this poster encased in glass on the side of a bus stop. I know Starbucks has lost some money, but is disparaging compromise going to earn them business? It's like the company is encouraging consumers to behave like spoiled brats: If I can't have the expensive brew, I won't have any!
But the ad is brilliant in its logic, because the two options create a win-win situation: Customers either buy Starbucks, or they don't buy coffee anywhere else (presumably staving off defects to Dunkin' Donuts). And given that coffee is addictive, it's a safe bet the "nothing" option is essentially null. So, well done Starbucks. Way to promote snobbery and stubbornness. Just what we need more of in NYC.
[Note: This post was written while sipping on a Starbucks grande iced coffee with free hazelnut syrup and soy milk. At $2.11 (tax included), it cost about the same as an iced coffee from Dunkin' Donuts, and free syrup and soy milk are harder to ignore than appalling ads.]
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