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May 26, 2006
The Buzz
By DEANNA DAHLSDA
For generations, cool kids have used buzz marketing to get the word out on
all the cool events and gossip. There were no posters or giant hallway
banners for the party at Brian's house, yet everyone knew not only when and
where to show up, but what to wear. And the undesirables never knew about
it until Monday, when it was over and everyone was talking about it.
Passing notes, even in class, was one good way to start spreading the news,
as was whispering as you passed in the halls. The news spread from cool kid
to cool kid just fine. Like today's emails, instant messages, and 'tell a
friend' features on websites, cool kids are still passing the hottest tips,
the latest information from one cool kid to another cool kid.
Like a website? Want to show them where you got the best deal? Want to
invite them to the party at Brian's house? Cut and paste the URL or the
MapQuest information, and presto!
Like the teachers who found you holding the note and asked you to share it
with the class, there are companies and governments who want to read your
notes. Some companies just want to know if you think they are cool.
Others, like Google and Google Mail, proclaim they want to base their
popularity rankings on your votes of what is cool and interesting. But the
governments, they just want to make sure you like the right things. And if
they disapprove of what you think is cool, you may end up in detention or
worse...
I don't know about you, but I don't want others reading my notes -- not the
ones I send, nor the ones I receive. Nor do I want others to tell me what
parties I can go to, who my friends are, or where I hang out in my free
time. I'm an adult, darnit. And when it comes to my children, I prefer to
be the one to monitor, teach and yes, if necessary, remove inappropriate
materials from their hands.
Posted by photocartoonist at May 26, 2006 8:09 PM