Daily Thoughts, Random Thoughts, Venting Area

[Spanky]

Chief Seattlle was very articulate, by any standard.  I had this book on "Indian Oratory" I read a thousand years ago.  There was an eastern tribe that had an alphabet, but native Americans didn't have a written language, so the speeches, etc., were written down at the time or recalled later.  Seattle had this great speech about how they would always be there.  "In you markets", in you streets, he said, the spirits of all these people who lived here would remain and persist.  It's very creepy kind of.  He knew the end of his culture was coming.  I wish he was right, but I think not.  You didn't get to be chief by being a jackass, as is apparently possible today.

Spank

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I've noticed a couple of things while shopping.  One of the fiirst non-fiction books I ever read I think was called "The Hidden Persuaders" by Vance Packard, as a kid.  It was about marketing tricks used in stores and other related stuff.  Simple stuff like putting the best deals at your feet on the shelf, the high percentage items at your face.  All fair enough, you just have to pay attention. 

Now I see weirder stuff I'm trying to make sense of when I shop.  I have allergies lately.  So, I got some "breath" strips that work good at night when I'm sleeping.  They were brown and worked well.  Then I got some cheaper ones that were clear and they wouldn't stick well to my nose--well they did on one side.  I cleaned my nose well, alcohol.  So I took them back.  I see that next to them on the shelf is the same product, same count, same company, but strips are brown.  Same price.  But this pack says "50%" stronger.  Why offer the same product, same price, that only sticks to one side of my nose, then offer a "stronger" product same price, that's 50% stronger?  Maybe these will hold on both sides of my nose.  Why should I care if they are "clear" if they are 50% weaker and only hold to one side of my nose?

The other one is a toilet tissue that now says "basic".  They the same brand has a higher priced toilet paper right next to it.  I understand a "basic" paper towel, maybe it's not as strong, but not the toilet paper.  How can I buy the "basic"?  Does it will only do a half-assed job of wiping my butt?  Or that it will only wipe half my ass effectively?  I just want something that will effectively wipe my rear.  I can see paying more for extended squares or a softer finish, but how can I choose "basic" over the same brand next to it that I guess will do a quality job of wiping my ass?  Maybe "basic" will remove most but not all of excrement?  Enough for work, but maybe not enough for a party? 

I just don't get these marketing efforts, though I guess, as some level I can see the "basic" ploy.  I guess I could take it back to the store. 
"Yes, well, this just didn't effectively clean my ass?"

I am not making this up.



Spanky