Insidious Advertising

On my hobby blog post I wrote about having tool lust and wanting to spend money on an pricey bike stand.  I appreciate the response people have been giving me and I am glad that some of you have found that blog and checked it out.  The funny thing is that blog post has had some rather interesting consequences.

With that post, I did spend some time checking out the various bike stands on offer at Amazon.  As a result, every site I have visited recently has had an add (from Amazon) featuring the various bike stands and bike tools that I visited before writing the piece.  On one hand, this is good marketing.  On the other hand, it makes me think that big brother is really watching me, and plotting my life out for me.

I realized this is a function of advertising, coupled with my viewing history.  I know that I am the one responsible, and that no mastermind computer is tracking my every move, or anticipating my every move.  However, maybe that day isn't as far off as it seems.  Maybe one day, you'll walk into a supermarket and half of your car will already be packed for you--the supermarket knowing what you buy every time you shop there.  I already get coupons or bonus points for things they have noticed that I buy a lot of.  (Again, I know I gave them this information.... but still)

Perhaps I go to far... for now.  We'll talk again in a year or two, and then we'll see.

Yesterday's Rebels are Nowhere to be Found

Megadeth is playing Casino Rama.  I heard this news on the car radio the other day, and I nearly drove off the road.  I did a double take, followed by a double swerve.  I really hadn't expected to ever hear something like that.

Weren't these yesterday's rebels?  Weren't these a group of antiestablishment types?  I can't be certain, but I am pretty sure playing a casino is about as establishment it gets--okay, it isn't a government agency, but the relationship in Canada is a little closer than it might be elsewhere.

Yesterday's rebels are nowhere to be found.

I shouldn't be surprised.  Perhaps, I shouldn't be as judgemental either.  They were kids when they started down that road.  They had no idea of how the future would unfold.  People grow.  People change.  The romantic in me says that principles shouldn't change and conviction in one's beliefs should remain.

Yesterday's rebels are nowhere to be found.

Winter

 

As if I didn't need another reminder that winter is coming.  The gigantic pile of leaves that I have to rake up should be enough.  Rather than let us think we have some time left before we are waist deep in the white stuff, the flyers for the local stores have to remind me that winter, and the need to shovel all that snow out of the way is nearly upon us.

When I look through the flyers, anticipating some great sale, or some knowledge of a new and wonderful product that will change my life (sadly, neither of those two things ever happen) the last thing I want to come across is a page full of snow shovels, snow blowers, car scrapers and ice melting salt.

Had I come across a more positive winter image (think Santa Clause, or a snowman, or maybe some reindeer) I would still be a little underwhelmed.  Coming across such a bold slap in the face, winter is almost here, advertisement really doesn't sit well with me.  Couldn't we just cancel winter this year, just this once?