Tag Archive for 'marketing'

OS Wars Are Just as Quaint and Pointless as Editor Wars

Last Thursday, Microsoft released a new type of ad—”I’m a PC”. There are rumors that the commercial was made on a Mac, but that fact (or not) is negligible. The point of the commercial is not to promote Microsoft or denounce Apple. It is to show that PC users are more than the frumpy, bespectacled office man shown in the “Mac vs. PC” ads by Apple. This is not a hit on the Mac OS. This is a hit on Mac culture.

I like this ad. The message is clear. It’s not overdone. I like that it’s positive. There is no Mac-bashing—while there is the Windows-bashing in the Mac ads. But what I especially like and admire—and appreciate—is how Microsoft is reclaiming its image. Microsoft dominates the market, but has had little interest in its branding. It’s interesting—and refreshing—to see Microsoft finally taking control now.

categories: business, culture, links, media
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Friday Leftovers

  • Catcalling: Creepy or Compliment? The CNN article describes the different responses women have to catcalling. Some find it complimentary; others, creepy. There are now blogs that tell stories of these encounters, such as Holla Back NYC. But the article doesn’t get to the heart of the problem: Why do women feel threatened or complimented when men whistle at them? We are already bombarded with messages that we need to be more beautiful, more available; having men reinforce those ideas—in a very rude fashion—can further the obsession over beauty.
  • Is it okay to lie? Teens speak up. Not surprisingly, teenagers are more likely to think it’s okay to lie to their parents than young children. Not going to tell who cleared out the liquor cabinet last Friday, are we?
  • Intoxicated people are less responsive to fear. This could be why people are more outgoing and daring when drunk; the amygdala, the part of the brain that detects threats, is impaired.
  • A Buddhist approach to eating. To temper overeating, psychologists recommend what is called mindful eating. Being aware of your body and recognising that hunger is a desire can remove the temptation of eating too much.
  • What Good Marketers Know. I’ve seen these ideas in many businesses. Now you can start applying them to blogging, too.
categories: culture, links, science
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