Urban Semiotic

Growing up, I never really ate many potato chips and they were rarely purchased for the home. My mother always said that they were unhealthy and led to weight problems -- and had no nutritional value of their own. With Proctor & Gamble issuing a limited recall on some Pringles because of possible Salmonella poisoning, we have to ask ourselves how far we are willing to go to enjoy a tasty treat.

Who decided newly elected presidents have only one year of "blaming their predecessor" for the failures of the country and then, after a 12-month grace period, they "own" everything that's on fire around them?  That's a ridiculous notion based in fantasy and not hardened by reality.

I was listening to SportsRadio in New York City the other day and I heard an interesting argument from the on-air host.  He believes the Summer Olympics are intended for male fans, while the Winter Olympics are intended for female fans.

If you had die for one thing and one thing only, what would you choose?  Your friends?  Your parents?  Your children?  Your country?  How do we, as a logical society, decide how someone should give up their life?

A little over two years ago, I wrote an article about mobile phone usage in public called Banning Cell Phones in Public Places. I was, and still am, of the opinion that most public spaces are not the place to whip out your mobile phone and start loudly talking about your personal life, to the detriment of the people around you -- particularly when the people can do nothing to get away from you, such as on a bus. Last night, I discovered in horror how easy it is to become that person on the phone.

I'm never at a loss learning how many young people are uneducated in the proper way to communicate online with those outside their immediate generation.  Over the last couple of years, I've noticed kids in the 18-20 year old age range have terrible email manners.  They write, you reply -- they never acknowledge your response -- so you're left to wonder if you got stuck in a Spam folder or if you're just being ignored.  Kids today have no idea why sending back an "Ack" is intrinsically important in continuing the hoary, but vital, tradition of effective online communication.  

It's that time of the year again when we open our hearts to Six Apart and another major Movable Type upgrade only to once again have our love spun unrequited and our delicate hearts shattered by a reality that belies the promise.