Marketing Creep

I am really disturbed by how much commercials have crept into our lives. Commercials used to be between television shows, but now they are absolutely everywhere on the internet. It has somehow become the burden of the individual to figure out what is being written spontaneously and what is being subsidized.

My story about 'marketing creep':

Back in 2002, I went to see a movie with a friend. It was the first time I had been to a movie theater in at least 6 years (no joke). I was a little worried about getting there a few minutes late, but then remembered they usually show a few minutes worth of previews for upcoming movies.

We arrive and the previews began...I thought. Wait a minute...what?! There were showing actual commercials - paid advertisements for random things that had nothing to do with anything, as far as I was concerned. I turned to my friend in shock. He looked at me, a little puzzled. I literally turned around and scanned the faces of the people in the movie theater. I was the only person who was trying to figure out what was happening and why no one was responding with disgust (or at least noticeable irritation).

I still feel like that sometimes. Exactly when did it become okay to sell us stuff after we paid a fair amount of money to see a movie? Or with mobile phones...when did it become okay to show me commercials when I check the weather forecast? I paid for my phone. I pay for monthly service. I pay for all the extra data capabilities. And I have to endure advertisements every time I want to see how warm it will be that day?

I'm not sure what's worse: that this has happened or that people are not more upset about it.

Where Am I?

I published a couple of posts on The Health Care Blog recently:

How to Waste a Boatload of ARRA Money - May 22, 2009

Nothing Personal - June 02, 2009

Other than that, I've been on twitter...and also working with Claudio Luis Vera to launch a new web site. Information coming very soon!

Love Me Some Technology

The first post is always the most painful. This was written on March 30, 2009:

I have always loved technology.

Ultimately, I chose to pursue a BA in Sociology instead of a BS in Computer Science because as much as I enjoyed computer programming, I thought computer science was a little on the dry and boring side.

In 1999, I completed my MSW, but on the research and policy side. My comfort and aptitude with technology enabled me to pick up a lot of great research skills, which led to my training as a social science data management...uh, guru? I'm reluctant to use a term like that, but I can't imagine getting any better at it. Well, to be honest, I don't want to get better at it. It is a pretty dull activity to engage in 24/7!

On a more serious note, my aptitude for mathematics, technology, sociology, and social work have all uniquely come together over the years, never more so than the present.

May 3, 2009

Since writing this post, I have fully immersed myself in the world of Twitter. I am one of the lucky people who tried it out and was able to hit the ground writing (wow, I meant to say running...interesting). I plan to write about my reflections on why Twitter is such a strange bird. Some people get it. Some don't.