Don't push my...

...Buttons.

I was stumbling (cue drums) on stumbleupon *ba dum ching* today and found an article about one of the most used placebos in America.  Conveniently, I can't find the website so...sorry.

It talked about how we, as a Western Civilization, feel an entitlement, a feeling of empowerment, when we push a button.  We expect something to happen.  We press the doorbell button and it rings.  We push the 'up' button on the elevator and it lights up and acknowledges that we are wanting to ascend.  There's some physiological or psychological or something-rather process that goes on in our heads that actually gives us a sense of accomplishment when we press these buttons.

However, when it comes to certain things, the buttons are just there for our pure amusement.  Like the 'close the door faster' button in an elevator.  Due to some Disability Act of some sort, this button doesn't actually make the door shut any faster than it usually does.  However, when we push it, it seems to shut faster thus giving us the satisfaction of being in control.  Another example is the button on the crosswalk.  Something like 9 times out of ten, it's not gonna work.  Why's it there?  It probably did work at some point in the past, but now it doesn't and it wouldn't be cost effective to fix.  One last example it gives is the infamous thermostat.  Companies will go at great lengths to install fake thermostats in the offices to ensure their employees they're in control of their heat or cooling.  If they turn it because they're too hot/cold, they feel better, even though it literally did nothing to the actual heating/cooling unit.  But hey, it keeps them from complaining.

Not only is this an interesting story, it brings up a good point.  No matter how much you feel you're in control, you're not.  You might press that button, and the end result might happen, or at least it will feel like it did, but you really had nothing to do with it.  We press these buttons in hopes of it actually having an effect on our lives but the final product might not be as much of our hard work as we'd hope.  This isn't as depressing as it sounds.  It's just a nice reminder that while we do need to work on achieving what we desire, we need to remember there's other people out there that have much more of an influence on that final product than what we think.

Hey look.  I found it...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2QkHks/youarenotsosmart.com/2010/02/10/placebo-buttons/

This...not that.

Man.  It's been a while.  Quite a bit has happened since I last typed something...anything.  Needless to say, I got alot to say. I'll spare the majority of the details or else this post would go for ever.  I just need to get something down to get me back on the 'blogger' straight and narrow.  So here goes...

1. My internship was not at all what I expected.  It was pretty disappointing actually.  But that's what you get when your boss (who shall remain nameless) is an-...I'll stop there.

2. I signed up for Netflix. It's gonna rock.

3. I moved into a new, much more conveniently located, duplex.  It's awesome.  Come check it out!

4.  Cross your fingers for me.  I'm trying to get a dog from the pound and haven't heard back from them.  I hope the application was approved...

5.  I'm trying to get in the habit of not buying anything at the grocery store contains things that A) a third grader couldn't pronounce B) I don't what it is and/or C) has more than 3-4 syllables.  The only exception is cereal.  Take my eyes but don't take my cereal.

6.  This kinda ties in with a recent post by Sara...People are suckers.  They fall into a trap of what's comfortable, or what they're used to.  Try as you may, some are just doomed to a life of repeated decisions.  But hey, you can't say we didn't try.

7.  All the kids came back to Lawrence this past week/weekend.  Classes start Thursday.  It's funny to watch all the what-I-assume-to-be Freshman.  They're so confident.  They're so bright-eyed.  They're so...blissfully unaware.  What I like even better, however, are the ads in the paper for dorm room accessories.  Does anyone else think those are completely ridiculous?  There's always some sort vintage music poster on the wall and the bedding, the lamp, the rug, and the shag chair all match perfectly.  WTF.  Seriously?  C'mon Kmart.  Let's get real then maybe you wouldn't have to shut down a store every quarter.

8.  Why did I just pick on KMart?  I don't even shop there nor do I know of the last time I looked at their ads.  Strange.

9.  I'm helping out a drumline again this Fall WOO WOO!  And I'm slowly teaching myself piano.

10.  I think that's about it. I'll expand on some of these items later.  Some, I'll just leave alone. 

Until next time,

Brian