I recently started blogging and I've been surprised at the random readers I will get, probably having found my site through technorati or another search engine. A good way to promote a blog unobtrusively is simply to comment on others' blogs, since you can leave a link. I've got a few of those and generally check the blog out. (obviously I'm talking about real people who leave real comments, not spammers)
My blog is mostly for real life family and friends, though, so word of mouth was the main technique. (and it's why both my grandmothers are avid readers...) I've been considering starting an anonymous blog for a while, which will naturally gain a huge readership due to my no-holds-barred crazy real-life stories and witty prose. Ahem.
StoryBored: If it's local it's less likely to be a large corporation or corporation at all. And even local corporations have more of an interest in promoting the local economy.
Regarding supporting working people, I was thinking more of production industries, where the 'working people' might be in another country. I wasn't trying to argue that you should patronize local service-industry businesses for the sake of their lower-level employees, per se. Anyhow, IANAEconomist, but at least in terms of Starbucks vs the local cafe, with the cafe, the money is at least staying in the local economy instead of heading off to Seattle.
Koko, I know you're joking, but the whole point of being a resonsible consumer is caring enough to inform yourself.
I did look around online for you a bit and couldn't find much.
There are several reasons for trying to buy local, instead of just from corporations whose ethics you are happy with.
First off, if it's local it's probably NOT a large corporation, which, to generalize, means you are supporting actual working people instead of some faceless investors. (less middle men, that sort of thing)
Second, while large corporations can indeed be more efficient than smaller operations, you are also far less likely to see the hidden costs of their business. By favoring local products you have a much greater control over the businesses themselves: through local government, for example, or because your dollar is simply a greater percentage of their income. There are exceptions (e.g. Fair Trade), but as a rule the less local a product is, the less of the final retail price the actual workers see.
Third, it's generally in your own self interest to improve the local economy. You may care about people in other countries too, but there are not a lot of countries that have better labor laws than ours (not counting western europe, at least), and few corporations that don't take advantage of that fact.
Finally, there are a number of sociopolitical reasons (consolidated corporate power is bad for representative democracy, advertising is bad for you... that kind of thing) to support local businesses, that I won't go into in depth here.
And come now, folks: he expressed concern for his fellow man. Obviously he's not a republican.
</snark>
Regarding boycotts: I think the short answer is, they CAN work, but they often do not. For starters, it's hard to tell what is impacting what, and businesses aren't likely to publically announce "sales are down because people don't like our sweatshops."
But companies ARE certainly concerned about brand image, and will do what they can to preserve and improve that, even if it just means paying lip service to consumer concerns.
By all means, consume responsibly and encourage others to do the same. But educated consumers are just a part of the solution.
Thanks for the advice, all. At the very least, it will give me something to think about besides just stressing out.
My context currently is doing a lot of calls looking for first job out of college. I'm getting better at the content of the interactions (I write out a list of what I want to say or questions I have) but I still dread the actual interacting.
Probably mct is right, and any difficulties are simply due to a lack of sex.
See also VGMix.com.
I used to make cassettes of my favorite video game songs recorded through the stereo. Lemmings, Chrono Trigger, etc... This guy is still my favorite video game composer.
I've linked to this before, but this is another interesting perspective on corporations.
Also, reading _Captains of Consciousness_ by Steward Ewan this summer was eye opening as well. (to understate somewhat)
RE: the liberal/conservative dichotomy being caused by the media.
Media coverage is certainly a part of the problem, but only a part and not the root cause. Part of the issue is that politics is just pretty damn complex --newspapers simplify their articles on scientific breakthroughs too. But I think a bigger factor is the way the US government is set up, which is conducive to the two-party system, This means that those parties are going to have a vested interest in the consolidation of political views. (hear any news about 3rd party candidates in the presidential candidate debates last year?)
Ultimately I tend to place most of the blame not just at the feet of the corporate consolidations of media in the past 15 years, but also with those actors who do not find healthy public discourse to be to their advantage. (corporations in general)
I just got back from several years of infrequent, rushed internet, and have been stopping by a few times lately.
posted by stripe 15 years ago
In "The strange secrets of humor, fear and a guy who makes big money making little people laugh"
Superb. Thanks.
posted by stripe 18 years ago
In "<b>Curious George:</b> "
I recently started blogging and I've been surprised at the random readers I will get, probably having found my site through technorati or another search engine. A good way to promote a blog unobtrusively is simply to comment on others' blogs, since you can leave a link. I've got a few of those and generally check the blog out. (obviously I'm talking about real people who leave real comments, not spammers) My blog is mostly for real life family and friends, though, so word of mouth was the main technique. (and it's why both my grandmothers are avid readers...) I've been considering starting an anonymous blog for a while, which will naturally gain a huge readership due to my no-holds-barred crazy real-life stories and witty prose. Ahem.
posted by stripe 18 years ago
In "Curious George: Boycotting"
StoryBored: If it's local it's less likely to be a large corporation or corporation at all. And even local corporations have more of an interest in promoting the local economy. Regarding supporting working people, I was thinking more of production industries, where the 'working people' might be in another country. I wasn't trying to argue that you should patronize local service-industry businesses for the sake of their lower-level employees, per se. Anyhow, IANAEconomist, but at least in terms of Starbucks vs the local cafe, with the cafe, the money is at least staying in the local economy instead of heading off to Seattle.
posted by stripe 18 years ago
Koko, I know you're joking, but the whole point of being a resonsible consumer is caring enough to inform yourself. I did look around online for you a bit and couldn't find much.
posted by stripe 18 years ago
There are several reasons for trying to buy local, instead of just from corporations whose ethics you are happy with. First off, if it's local it's probably NOT a large corporation, which, to generalize, means you are supporting actual working people instead of some faceless investors. (less middle men, that sort of thing) Second, while large corporations can indeed be more efficient than smaller operations, you are also far less likely to see the hidden costs of their business. By favoring local products you have a much greater control over the businesses themselves: through local government, for example, or because your dollar is simply a greater percentage of their income. There are exceptions (e.g. Fair Trade), but as a rule the less local a product is, the less of the final retail price the actual workers see. Third, it's generally in your own self interest to improve the local economy. You may care about people in other countries too, but there are not a lot of countries that have better labor laws than ours (not counting western europe, at least), and few corporations that don't take advantage of that fact. Finally, there are a number of sociopolitical reasons (consolidated corporate power is bad for representative democracy, advertising is bad for you... that kind of thing) to support local businesses, that I won't go into in depth here.
posted by stripe 18 years ago
And come now, folks: he expressed concern for his fellow man. Obviously he's not a republican. </snark> Regarding boycotts: I think the short answer is, they CAN work, but they often do not. For starters, it's hard to tell what is impacting what, and businesses aren't likely to publically announce "sales are down because people don't like our sweatshops." But companies ARE certainly concerned about brand image, and will do what they can to preserve and improve that, even if it just means paying lip service to consumer concerns. By all means, consume responsibly and encourage others to do the same. But educated consumers are just a part of the solution.
posted by stripe 18 years ago
Co-op America has a lot of good info on green businesses ('green' being shorthand for more than just environmental concerns). Also, transnationale.org has a ton of good info, although the format is kind of confusing. Responsible Shopper has great dossiers on lots of corporations, and is a bit more straightforward. ...just some oak and some pine and a handful of norsemen...
posted by stripe 18 years ago
In ""
Thanks for the advice, all. At the very least, it will give me something to think about besides just stressing out. My context currently is doing a lot of calls looking for first job out of college. I'm getting better at the content of the interactions (I write out a list of what I want to say or questions I have) but I still dread the actual interacting. Probably mct is right, and any difficulties are simply due to a lack of sex.
posted by stripe 18 years ago
In "Save our souls"
1. It's Java, not Flash. 2. It's a borderline double. 3. It is, however, still fun.
posted by stripe 18 years ago
In "A google video."
So-- sentient water-lifeforms could kick my ass, is what it's saying?
posted by stripe 18 years ago
In "Video Game Music Remixed."
See also VGMix.com. I used to make cassettes of my favorite video game songs recorded through the stereo. Lemmings, Chrono Trigger, etc... This guy is still my favorite video game composer.
posted by stripe 18 years ago
In "Curious Resolutions 2006"
Given the successfulness of past resolutions, this year I am resolving to be an antisocial lazy bastard.
posted by stripe 18 years ago
In "They're self-centered, manipulative, backstabbing, out only for themselves--and amoral about the whole thing: they're Corporations. "
I've linked to this before, but this is another interesting perspective on corporations. Also, reading _Captains of Consciousness_ by Steward Ewan this summer was eye opening as well. (to understate somewhat)
posted by stripe 18 years ago
In "Curious George: Searching for an angel"
Hear this voice from deep inside It's the call of your heart Close your eyes and your will find The way out of the dark
posted by stripe 18 years ago
In "The Legend Of Zelda Characters Dancing."
Nice. Very nice. Going to have to learn that dance move at 0:16.
posted by stripe 18 years ago
In "Court: feds don't need probable cause to track your physical location via cell grid"
Uh, and that goes for everyone else as well. You all should support the ACLU.
posted by stripe 18 years ago
Argh: Support the ACLU.
posted by stripe 18 years ago
In "Reuters 2005"
I have to say it's a very nice flash photo interface.
posted by stripe 18 years ago
In "Newsflash!"
RE: the liberal/conservative dichotomy being caused by the media. Media coverage is certainly a part of the problem, but only a part and not the root cause. Part of the issue is that politics is just pretty damn complex --newspapers simplify their articles on scientific breakthroughs too. But I think a bigger factor is the way the US government is set up, which is conducive to the two-party system, This means that those parties are going to have a vested interest in the consolidation of political views. (hear any news about 3rd party candidates in the presidential candidate debates last year?) Ultimately I tend to place most of the blame not just at the feet of the corporate consolidations of media in the past 15 years, but also with those actors who do not find healthy public discourse to be to their advantage. (corporations in general)
posted by stripe 18 years ago
(limited to the most recent 20 comments)