I read a couple of online articles that said the time change is a bad idea. Whether you go forward or go backward, it seems there's no real advantage to moving the clocks either way - in fact, when we go on Daylight Saving Time, there's an increase in accidents the following Monday. It left open the question of why do it anyway? Especially when we're only on standard time for about 5 months of the year, and spend the rest on Daylight Saving Time.
And yet, we continue to do it. Why? Who knows? But it's not the only bad idea we stick with because we're used to it. There are many, in fact. For example:
HalloThankMus - Once upon a time, you didn't utter Thanksgiving until mid November, and Christmas until after Thanksgiving. They were their own holidays. No more. Now Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas have been merged into a concoction of holidays that are barely distinguishable from one another. Why? $$$ Holidays are a moneymaker, and the more we can push people to get on the bandwagon, the more cha-ching. While it isn't as obnoxious as it has been in past years - I saw my first Christmas commercial on Thursday (Oct. 29) compared to seeing it in late September in past years - it's still too much, too soon.
Ridiculously early political debates. There have already been three Republican debates and one Democratic debate. Primaries aren't even until February, and the general election for President (and Governor in South Carolina) aren't for another year and a few days. We know you want to get your message to the masses, but too much too soon leads to a shutting off right when you probably want our attention most. In fact, somebody in Sunday School today was complaining about people not paying attention to smaller local elections this Tuesday because they're already focused on the major election next year. Turns out, the neighboring city is having a Mayor election, and they fear low voter turnout in a sharply contested position because people are so focused on next year, that they don't realize there's something big happening much closer to home in 2 days! Yes, it's wise to take a long view - but not at the expense of what's happening right outside of your door. And then, as if it's bad enough that we're getting hit with holidays and politics too soon, then we have the problem of:
Outrageous telecommunications costs. They have us by the neck, and they know it. Everybody needs a cell phone, but the reliable services (Verizon) are outrageously expensive while the cheaper packages (Sprint) aren't reliable. Then there's the fact that every cable and satellite provider will give you a great deal on TV, then gouge the price after 1-2 years of service. Sure, you can get around this. With telephone, you can get a basic model (which isn't easy, but you can do it) and with TV it's by cutting the cord and getting Internet TV. Still, you get what you pay for, so the service on basic cell phones and Internet TV isn't outstanding. I ask why this is? Why must we pay so much for access to signals running through the air? It's not like we're trying to take pictures of Pluto. We just want to keep in touch with one another, and with the world around us.
I don't know what it will take to change things, but these are definitely four things that we need to ask ourselves: why? We're living the definition of madness here. Why aren't we doing something to change it, whether it's going back to the old, tried and true ways of doing things, or finding new approaches to life? It's something to think about.
That's all today. Take care, and have a great week.
Bye!
And yet, we continue to do it. Why? Who knows? But it's not the only bad idea we stick with because we're used to it. There are many, in fact. For example:
HalloThankMus - Once upon a time, you didn't utter Thanksgiving until mid November, and Christmas until after Thanksgiving. They were their own holidays. No more. Now Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas have been merged into a concoction of holidays that are barely distinguishable from one another. Why? $$$ Holidays are a moneymaker, and the more we can push people to get on the bandwagon, the more cha-ching. While it isn't as obnoxious as it has been in past years - I saw my first Christmas commercial on Thursday (Oct. 29) compared to seeing it in late September in past years - it's still too much, too soon.
Ridiculously early political debates. There have already been three Republican debates and one Democratic debate. Primaries aren't even until February, and the general election for President (and Governor in South Carolina) aren't for another year and a few days. We know you want to get your message to the masses, but too much too soon leads to a shutting off right when you probably want our attention most. In fact, somebody in Sunday School today was complaining about people not paying attention to smaller local elections this Tuesday because they're already focused on the major election next year. Turns out, the neighboring city is having a Mayor election, and they fear low voter turnout in a sharply contested position because people are so focused on next year, that they don't realize there's something big happening much closer to home in 2 days! Yes, it's wise to take a long view - but not at the expense of what's happening right outside of your door. And then, as if it's bad enough that we're getting hit with holidays and politics too soon, then we have the problem of:
Outrageous telecommunications costs. They have us by the neck, and they know it. Everybody needs a cell phone, but the reliable services (Verizon) are outrageously expensive while the cheaper packages (Sprint) aren't reliable. Then there's the fact that every cable and satellite provider will give you a great deal on TV, then gouge the price after 1-2 years of service. Sure, you can get around this. With telephone, you can get a basic model (which isn't easy, but you can do it) and with TV it's by cutting the cord and getting Internet TV. Still, you get what you pay for, so the service on basic cell phones and Internet TV isn't outstanding. I ask why this is? Why must we pay so much for access to signals running through the air? It's not like we're trying to take pictures of Pluto. We just want to keep in touch with one another, and with the world around us.
I don't know what it will take to change things, but these are definitely four things that we need to ask ourselves: why? We're living the definition of madness here. Why aren't we doing something to change it, whether it's going back to the old, tried and true ways of doing things, or finding new approaches to life? It's something to think about.
That's all today. Take care, and have a great week.
Bye!
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