Originally published at Imagine Your Reality. Please leave any comments there.
I was reading Chris Brogan’s blog recently and he complained about a bad customer service experience with Timberland shoes. What interested me most was that a representative of the company got on and apologized to Chris Brogan. It showed me how influential someone who is well known can be. He blogged about it, and got the company to apologize. Would the same treatment have happened with a lesser known person? Probably not.
While it’s true that companies are recognizing the value of customer service and monitoring what happens on social media, it’s also true that many times what will get a response is someone who has a position of influence or power critiquing the issue. Does this sound cynical? Perhaps, but it’s also realistic. It’s not so much how often you say something, as it is who says it, that determines if a company will respond.
Social media customer service is influenced by either numbers, enough people complain, so someone does something, or by the influence of one person to effect those same numbers. Chris Brogan is pretty influential in social media. People trust what he has to say. Even when they might disagree with them, there will still be the simple matter that they responded to him. That response gives him influence and that influence consequently is what will attract the interest of a company. People who want companies to provide better customer service via social media need to recognize that so that they either get the numbers or find someone with enough influence to attract those numbers and a response from the company.
Companies will respond when there’s enough attention brought to the issue that needs to be resolved…and the reason they will respond is because it matters to them to make sure that they handle the issue and have the support of the people. In that sense, customer service is ultimately dealing with a kind of mob mentality. If enough people are unhappy, some kind of response must occur in order to rectify the situation, and as much as possible, regain the favor of the people who were made unhappy by the situation.
Chris Brogan also acknowledges this issue of being an influencer. As an authority his words have weight with a lot of people. And this applies to anyone who does a lot to become visible to people. As you become more visible to people and as you what you write resonates with them, your influence spreads and what you say can have an impact on a company for better or worse, as well as with the people who are influenced by you.
marriedtothesea.com
But probably with some Bach keyboard piece lost in a sea of Bach keyboard pieces.
 |
See: - A Lost European Culture, Pulled From Obscurity (NY Times article) - The Lost World of Old Europe: The Danube Valley, 5000-3500 BC (exhibition) |
I found the discussion of new interpretations of the 'goddess' figurines interesting.
From the catalogue of the exhibition, Chapter titled 'THE FIGURINES OF OLD EUROPE':
"The Poduri-Dealul Ghindaru figurine set has been interpreted as a cult complex, and the most accessible English language account calls it “The Council of the Goddess.” Similar terms and explanations are offered in the original Romanian reports... (p. 115)
One could, of course, join the excavators of Poduri-Dealul Ghindaru and quickly find answers in the conventional understanding of prehistoric anthropomorphic figurines as goddesses and gods of cults and religions, or of ceremonies of fertility and fecundity. This indeed is how the late and widely followed scholar Marija Gimbutas scripted her responses to very similar questions. In a series of influential books, she laid out sweeping interpretations on a level that encompassed not only countries and continents, but even the very essence of being human...
Over the past decade or so, intense research carried out by a number of scholars working independently has transformed the way in which figurines are studied and interpreted.7 Even before Gimbutas began to publish books on goddess rituals in Old Europe, some investigators questioned the reality of mother-goddess interpretations... (p. 117)
A New Understanding
It is one thing (and not an entirely brave or singularly worthwhile undertaking) to reveal the errors in traditional interpretations of Neolithic southeastern European figurines. It is quite another to produce a better understanding of those same objects. In a longer discussion presented elsewhere, I have offered one possibility. At the core of this new understanding, I redefined figurines in terms of what I recognize as their fundamental characteristics: They are miniature, they are representational, and they depict the human form. In this sense, I made no distinction among prehistoric, ancient, or modern miniature, anthropomorphic representations. I assumed (as is justified by our knowledge of human evolution) that the ability to make, use, and understand symbolic objects such as figurines is an ability that is shared by all modern humans and thus is a capability that connects you, me, Neolithic men, women, and children, and the Paleolithic painters of caves.
In my work on the figurines of southeastern Europe from the Neolithic and Copper Age (6500–3500 cal. bc), I sought to understand what it was about these objects that would have made them succeed in their past functions (regardless of whether they were used as votives, toys, portraits, or the representation of divinities). In addition, I tried to understand what made them attractive to us in the present as objects for sale at auction, as material appropriate for exhibition in a museum, or as subjects for an academic essay such as the one that you are reading. Investigating a wide range of modern and historical objects that were miniature, I was intrigued to learn that contemporary psychological studies have shown that something very odd happens to the human mind when one handles or plays with miniature objects. Most simply put, when we focus our attention on miniature objects, we enter another world, one in which our perception of time is altered and in which our abilities of concentration are affected. In a well-known set of experiments, the psychologist Alton Delong showed that when human subjects were asked to imagine themselves in a world where everything was on a much smaller scale than everyday reality, or when they engaged in activities in smaller than normal environments, they thought that time had passed more quickly than in fact it had and they performed better in tasks requiring mental agility.16 Importantly, the subjects of these studies were not conscious of their altered experience of time or concentration.
By following this line of argument—in other words, that things made miniature affect the ways in which people experience the world—I began to see Neolithic figurines, like those from Poduri-Dealul Ghindaru, in a new light. When the people of that Pre-Cucuteni community looked at their figurines, and when they placed the little bodies onto the little chairs, arranging (and rearranging) them into different scenes and settings, they were entering other worlds. It is entirely possible that these other worlds were spiritual, though I am not convinced that they were of the type that either Gimbutas or the excavators of Poduri-Dealul Ghindaru imagined. It is much more probable that the people who held these objects in their hands, who touched and saw them in their daily activities, were affected in other ways, most likely at a deeper, subconscious level. To understand these interactions and the stimulations effected by the miniature representations of bodies, we need to understand the world in which these people lived." (p. 122)
I made chicken stew yesterday in my crock. Should be simple enough, right? Well...the chicken came out almost inedibly dry. After being cooked all day in an appliance that is MEANT to keep meat very moist!
Here's what I did:
Peeled, diced potatoes on the bottom (I've always read to put long-cooking root veggies at the bottom, under the meat)
Frozen sliced carrots on top of the potatoes
Cubed, boneless, skinless chicken breast on top
Seasonings
Poured broth over the whole thing
The chicken breast was the flash frozen, buy the big bag, type. It wasn't freezer burned or old. I thawed it in warm water for an hour, then cubed it and stored it in a ziploc separate from the rest of the ingredients, overnight.
I turned the crock on around 7:15 yesterday morning...we ate at around 7pm (yeah, I know...long day!). I used my older, smaller crock, which doesn't have a timer so that it could switch to warm after 8 hours.
I had to add more broth when I got home, b/c it just didn't have enough.
So...what went wrong? Do I just need to use more broth next time? Make sure the meat is submerged (it was not submerged when I got home last night, even though I'd assumed it would be, since the chicken should have contributed some drippings to the broth)?
I keep trying to make chicken stew, and I'm just never happy with it.
Here's what I did:
Peeled, diced potatoes on the bottom (I've always read to put long-cooking root veggies at the bottom, under the meat)
Frozen sliced carrots on top of the potatoes
Cubed, boneless, skinless chicken breast on top
Seasonings
Poured broth over the whole thing
The chicken breast was the flash frozen, buy the big bag, type. It wasn't freezer burned or old. I thawed it in warm water for an hour, then cubed it and stored it in a ziploc separate from the rest of the ingredients, overnight.
I turned the crock on around 7:15 yesterday morning...we ate at around 7pm (yeah, I know...long day!). I used my older, smaller crock, which doesn't have a timer so that it could switch to warm after 8 hours.
I had to add more broth when I got home, b/c it just didn't have enough.
So...what went wrong? Do I just need to use more broth next time? Make sure the meat is submerged (it was not submerged when I got home last night, even though I'd assumed it would be, since the chicken should have contributed some drippings to the broth)?
I keep trying to make chicken stew, and I'm just never happy with it.
I found this on allrecipes.com and it looks really good! I am thinking of trying it this week and thought I would share it.
Ingredients
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 (8.5 ounce) package corn bread/muffin mix
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
1. Place the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, and cook and stir the beef until it is browned, about 10 minutes, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain the beef, and place it into the slow cooker. Stir in the kidney beans, enchilada sauce, and garlic powder.
2. In a bowl, combine the corn bread mix with milk, egg, and butter, and stir until just mixed. Stir in the Cheddar cheese. Spoon the corn bread mixture over the beef mixture in the slow cooker.
3. Set the cooker to Low, cover, and cook until the corn bread topping is cooked through and set, about 5 hours.
Ingredients
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 (8.5 ounce) package corn bread/muffin mix
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
1. Place the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, and cook and stir the beef until it is browned, about 10 minutes, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain the beef, and place it into the slow cooker. Stir in the kidney beans, enchilada sauce, and garlic powder.
2. In a bowl, combine the corn bread mix with milk, egg, and butter, and stir until just mixed. Stir in the Cheddar cheese. Spoon the corn bread mixture over the beef mixture in the slow cooker.
3. Set the cooker to Low, cover, and cook until the corn bread topping is cooked through and set, about 5 hours.
Update
November 2009 Tally
Submissions: 3
Rejections: 3
Sales: 0
Total submissions for 2009: 40
Total rejections: 31
Total sales: 7
Ave. submissions/month for 2009: 4
Percent sales for 2009: 18%
No sales again this month, alas.
Everything Else
So we have not yet heard back from the surgeon RE: Max's MRI. However, we DID hear from the oncologist, who had reviewed the MRI report and had GREAT news!
The tumor has continued to shrink, and is now only 18 cubic centimeters, a total reduction in size to date of almost 90%!!!!!! Praise God!!!! And what's left of the tumor shows large areas of calcification, which I think means those areas are inactive now (i.e., not cancerous), but I'm trying to get some clarification on that. Regardless, while we knew the tumor continuing to shrink was a possibility, it's one none of us (including Max's oncologist) really thought would happen. This is your prayers at work!!!!! Thank you all so much -- they really DO make a difference! Imagine if the tumor continued to shrink until there was nothing left! What an awesome Christmas gift that would be!
November 2009 Tally
Submissions: 3
Rejections: 3
Sales: 0
Total submissions for 2009: 40
Total rejections: 31
Total sales: 7
Ave. submissions/month for 2009: 4
Percent sales for 2009: 18%
No sales again this month, alas.
Everything Else
So we have not yet heard back from the surgeon RE: Max's MRI. However, we DID hear from the oncologist, who had reviewed the MRI report and had GREAT news!
The tumor has continued to shrink, and is now only 18 cubic centimeters, a total reduction in size to date of almost 90%!!!!!! Praise God!!!! And what's left of the tumor shows large areas of calcification, which I think means those areas are inactive now (i.e., not cancerous), but I'm trying to get some clarification on that. Regardless, while we knew the tumor continuing to shrink was a possibility, it's one none of us (including Max's oncologist) really thought would happen. This is your prayers at work!!!!! Thank you all so much -- they really DO make a difference! Imagine if the tumor continued to shrink until there was nothing left! What an awesome Christmas gift that would be!
- Mood:
Woohoo for shrinkage!
- 13:06 oh brother. RT: @WGLTNews: Ill politicians still taking anti-communist "loyalty oath" #
- 13:07 RT: @ScooterworksUSA: The giveaway madness continues! RT to enter! #
- 13:07 @doompatrol you musta needed it--good for you! #
- 13:08 RT: @ScooterworksUSA: Keep RTing today for your chance at a rear rack or a cable lock!! #
- 14:22 grant me patience. please. #
- 20:04 Russell is EFFIN AMAZING!!!!!! #fb #sytycd #
- 21:42 i have actually cleaned out my work inbox so well that i'm down below 75 messages! this is quite a feat. #fb #
Hey...look what I made....
( And here's the artwork post! Lynx dance/totem set, wolf paw pouch, triple tanuki tail, raven necklace, and a whole lot more! )
As always, all of my artwork may be found here. Also, if I sell enough stuff from this post (or my artwork in general) I can get something from one of my suppliers that I can incorporate into another project that I really, really want to make.
Also, I know I sometimes post some more expensive, elaborate items. I am willing to work stuff out with time payments/layaway if there's something you really, really want :) Also, I'm willing to make tail belts longer, make extensions on necklaces, etc. if something won't fit you right as it is.
( And here's the artwork post! Lynx dance/totem set, wolf paw pouch, triple tanuki tail, raven necklace, and a whole lot more! )
As always, all of my artwork may be found here. Also, if I sell enough stuff from this post (or my artwork in general) I can get something from one of my suppliers that I can incorporate into another project that I really, really want to make.
Also, I know I sometimes post some more expensive, elaborate items. I am willing to work stuff out with time payments/layaway if there's something you really, really want :) Also, I'm willing to make tail belts longer, make extensions on necklaces, etc. if something won't fit you right as it is.
http://community.livejournal.com/ohnoth
Check this - Empire Magazine had a bunch of famous actors recreate their most famous part
Sean Bean and Viggo lovers will enjoy
Check this - Empire Magazine had a bunch of famous actors recreate their most famous part
Sean Bean and Viggo lovers will enjoy
Hey everyone! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!
I'm making a montage of clips from the show in celebration of the 1,000 episode (not sure if I'll finish exactly on that date, but I'm going to try). If you guys have any clips, or segments in mind that you really loved I would appreciate it if you posted the links to them below. I want to make an awesome video, and I don't want to forget any hilarious bits.
And also, if you happen to have the clip or segment in a Windows format, and can somehow post it on here, it would save me the time of ripping the video off youtube and converting it.
Thanks in advance!
can someone tag this?
I'm making a montage of clips from the show in celebration of the 1,000 episode (not sure if I'll finish exactly on that date, but I'm going to try). If you guys have any clips, or segments in mind that you really loved I would appreciate it if you posted the links to them below. I want to make an awesome video, and I don't want to forget any hilarious bits.
And also, if you happen to have the clip or segment in a Windows format, and can somehow post it on here, it would save me the time of ripping the video off youtube and converting it.
Thanks in advance!
can someone tag this?
I've been watching a friend (yet another!) support a spouse with terminal cancer. They thought they had longer to prepare for hospice and funeral expenses but as Mactavish put it, " the schedule sort of shifted away from their
plans -- Money's needed sooner rather than later ...
Please have a look if you've got a handful of bucks to... spare. Paypal's even waiving fees for a minute or two."
Can you even imagine having to plan all of this while he's still alive? It's fucking heartbreaking and feels just plain bad.
http://britgeekgrrl.livejournal.com/228
#FuckCancer
Please feel free to boost the signal.
plans -- Money's needed sooner rather than later ...
Please have a look if you've got a handful of bucks to... spare. Paypal's even waiving fees for a minute or two."
Can you even imagine having to plan all of this while he's still alive? It's fucking heartbreaking and feels just plain bad.
http://britgeekgrrl.livejournal.com/228
#FuckCancer
Please feel free to boost the signal.
So, I'm in the market for a therapist. To sort out my head, y'see. Therapists are difficult for me, because I'm... tetchy. About building trust relationships with most people.
That said, the upshot of having a father who has taught psychology for 40 years in Manitoba is that he literally knows each and every psychologist in Winnipeg. I'm not kidding. "Oh, you'd get along very well with her." "This one... uh... I don't want to say much but... uh... let's just say... um... I would never allow them to be MY therapist. Ever." And soforth.
The downshot of the same is that we had to go through every single listed psychologist in the phone book, judging each by the Birthday Party Test: namely, has this therapist been at my dad's birthday parties in the past, and might they be at one in the future?
Unfortunately, the BPT weeded out some of the best potential therapists:
"OH, she's GREAT! You'd LOVE her! Oh yeah, call her!"
"Ooh, that sounds promising. How about the BPT?"
"Well, she did bring a fruit trifle to my 70th birthday."
"Moving on then..."
But I have a good list. Seven names, in descending order of my likelihood of developing a productive therapeutic relationship with them. This will be interesting.
Oh, and forget trying to find a therapist who doesn't know my dad. There were two in the entire phone book, and both were forensic psychs. Take what you can get.
That said, the upshot of having a father who has taught psychology for 40 years in Manitoba is that he literally knows each and every psychologist in Winnipeg. I'm not kidding. "Oh, you'd get along very well with her." "This one... uh... I don't want to say much but... uh... let's just say... um... I would never allow them to be MY therapist. Ever." And soforth.
The downshot of the same is that we had to go through every single listed psychologist in the phone book, judging each by the Birthday Party Test: namely, has this therapist been at my dad's birthday parties in the past, and might they be at one in the future?
Unfortunately, the BPT weeded out some of the best potential therapists:
"OH, she's GREAT! You'd LOVE her! Oh yeah, call her!"
"Ooh, that sounds promising. How about the BPT?"
"Well, she did bring a fruit trifle to my 70th birthday."
"Moving on then..."
But I have a good list. Seven names, in descending order of my likelihood of developing a productive therapeutic relationship with them. This will be interesting.
Oh, and forget trying to find a therapist who doesn't know my dad. There were two in the entire phone book, and both were forensic psychs. Take what you can get.
I will officially be a college student. Found a most excellent online course, from a real live accredited university, so I'm going to get my BA. Decided to take the Business Information Systems course - might as well have a piece of paper that says I know what I know. Possibly a bit repetitive, perhaps even a tad boring, but it gets me the official paperwork most employers want these days. Figure I can always work on something else later, if I want. Side note, a special thanks to Himself, who's been a great encouragement in this endeavor. Nothing new there. :)
- Mood:
pleased - Muzak:Riding the Storm Out - REO Speedwagon
ǝƃɐd ɹnoʎ oʇuo sIɥʇ ǝʇsɐd puɐ ʎdoɔ 'sʎɐs sɥʇ ʇɐɥʍ ʇno ǝɹnƃIɟ oʇ ɥƃnouǝ ʇɹɐɯs ǝɹɐ noʎ ɟI
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