Finally, A Reason: Why We Talk Too Much About The Insignificant And Inane

Some people have commented that the amount of noise generated by a change is inversely proportional to the complexity of the change

- Poul-Henning Kamp

Ahhh. The things you find in the Internet.

Ever wonder why chatters are the loudest when the issues being discussed are so small? Just think about all the showbiz shows you've watched. Or the minute changes in the city that the local government is trying to implement. Or the choices in your wardrobe that has to pass through the critical eyes of your entire band of friends (or frenemies).

Always, when the issue is small, there are a lot of opinions bouncing around. But when the opposite is true, hardly anyone musters a reply. 

I remember back when I was in my first company and we were in the process of reviewing and revising our brochures. After we've done a draft or a copy, I'd pass it along the sales team for possible comments and recommendations. I dreaded that part, not because I was frightened of the team, but because I knew dozens of revisions would come my way: each had their own say about our work.

I'm guilty about this too and you could probably notice my prior rants on the seemingly mundane dotting my posts. But when it comes to the big stuff? The stuff that really matters? I'm silent.

Such is human nature. That's why I'm grateful to have come across an Atlantic article giving a rational explanation as to why we do this after all.

Here's the link: Why We Can't Help Ourselves from Caring About Things That Don't Matter

A Rally

Quote of the day: A peanut vendor strolling around Rizal Park was selling his nuts with an apt slogan, " Mani...Mani...Mani ng pagbabago."

This morning I was in my first rally after a very long time. The crowd was noticeably smaller than I imagined it to be. If you were part of the media, you wouldn't be impressed. I guess not that many people would want to wake up early on a holiday to walk under the sweltering heat of the sun.

Anyway, I'd just like to share some thoughts about the PR coup the president's team concocted last week. Last Friday, the president rang the headlines by allegedly saying it's time to abolish the pork barrel. However, the fine print merely explained that he's introducing another variant of the same system, this time with more checks in place. Many rejoiced prematurely because of the news. But some were also skeptical at this last-minute ploy to quell the Million People March the following week.

For the record, it's about time that lawmakers do what lawmakers do: legislate instead of proposing funding for projects via the pork. The same goes for the president. Despite being the executive head of government, the president should be stripped off the pork. He should also be accountable for the funds that his office uses.

To cap this post, here's the full text of ADDU President Fr. Joel Tabora's speech this morning (Got this from his blog):

Excuses

I went to CREBA's Mindanao Housing Summit last Friday and I was slightly turned off by the ROD's reply to the issues presented by the association.

The first module or talk delved into discussing the concerns involving the LRA (Land Registration Authority) and the ROD (Registry of Deeds). The representative for the LRA was quite safe since only seldom do the CREBA members have something to transact with the LRA. The representative for the ROD, Deputy Registrar of Deeds for Davao City Jorlyn Paralisan, was unfortunately grilled under the spotlight since the brunt of the problems with land titles lies with the ROD.

Powdered Water

Yes. You read that right. Humanity has invented powdered water.

It goes by the name of Solid Rain and is a polymer capable of absorbing huge amounts of water, transforming into a gel-like substance in the process. Just picture an industrial-grade baby diaper and imagine it being placed across acres and acres of soil.

Solid Rain is used to store and release water for crops in arid regions. As the article boasts: "The water is then retained for up to a year, and it will not evaporate, run off into the soil or go anywhere until it’s consumed by a plant’s roots."

More information from this link courtesy of modernfarmer.com.

And here courtesy of dailymail.co.uk.

Bait And Switch

I didn't know this sales method was still being used.

Last Wednesday, while walking pass Lachmi, a sales guy by the name of Michael of Hilton Marketing approached me and gave me an offer: a free TV/Radio card.

I didn't know what that was but since it was free, I went with him. We proceeded to what he called a showroom, their office in the second floor of the Lachmi Building where it featured rows of appliances.

Another sales guy approached me and I braced myself for something familiar. You see, my mother had an experience before when she was subjected to the same routine. First, she was enticed by the offer of a free appliance and, by the end of the sales talk, she had purchased an entire showcase. She did return all of the things she had unwittingly purchased (through her credit card) but, still, it was a close call.

First thing they asked when they made me sit on the massage chair was to fill out their application form. Second, they asked for my ID. Third, they asked to see my credit card. When they asked me this, I was wary so I showed it to them and promptly tucked it back in my wallet.

By then, I was wondering where my free TV/Radio card was so the second sales guy engaged in small talk, beginning with the topic of him accidentally impregnating a girl (he's gay). After a few uncomfortable moments, the acting began. Michael came back with a stash of envelopes and told me I was entitled to a raffle draw. All I had to do was pick out an envelope, open it, and see if I got a prize. I picked one and got a Php 2,000.00 discount coupon. Michael and the sales guy went to their routine and gushed that this was too good to be true. 

The second sales guy showed me the appliances that was subject to discounts and Michael then showed their promo, claiming that they were offering about a hundred thousand worth of appliances to me for the low price of Php 58,000.00 or something. It was for a limited time only and all I had to do was give them my credit card.

At this point, I was tired of the entire charade (I had to go somewhere else) and politely declined the offer, justifying that I had no need for their stuff. I also didn't like the fact that the entire sales effort was built on deception right from the start. 

Of course, I did get my free TV/Radio card in the end, courtesy of Michael. But, then again, why would I want one anyway?