Ad Freed 12/31/2011
The 30 Day Thanksgiving to Christmas Ad Free Diet is complete and the results are in. It unearthed a year ahead of research and essays on the myriad of aspects to this issue--a relevant discussion on influence for an American election year.
But that's for later. In the modern age, I asked could one go 30 days with absolutely no promotion (ingesting or sending out), endorsements, or manipulation (for paid product)? You placed your bets. Hold your breath . . . Add Comment Halftime - Stretching at the **&* Ballpark 12/13/2011
I'm just over halfway through this 30 Day Thanksgiving to Christmas Ad Free Diet. I write this from a Delta flight, where ads now play as part of the pre-take off activities. They are so thundering (and inspipid) that I had to cover my ears before take off and hum loudly (sorry passengers) to avoid the three screaming commercials.
So how it going so far? Industry 101: The Language & The Land 11/29/2011
This is part of a series 30 Day Thanksgiving-->Christmas Ad Free Diet
Before you go to any new land, even if its syllables and rhythms resemble your home country, you should learn a few terms (i.e. W.C. to bathroom and other creative English v. American language differences...not to mention a map of the US would get you nowhere in the UK). In other arenas, I call this the language of empowerment or of course the colloquial "lay of the land." Here's your guide: Advertising is to Religion 11/29/2011
This is part of a series 30 Day Thanksgiving-->Christmas Ad Free Diet
“How much is a soul worth? If you spend $500 on a newspaper ad that reaches one unbeliever for Christ, is it worth it?” -Rick Warren, Saddleback Church “Are we really so sure we want to peddle our spiritual beliefs like any other commodity?” -Catherine Beyer, practicing Wiccan "Christ. If only we had their numbers." - George Carlin as priest in Dogma (film), referring to tobacco industry marketing success Advertising—and consumerism—has oft been referred to as a religion. Given the devout estimate of one third of Americans that showed up for Black Friday, there’s a reason it still rings true (though remember to get two sources folks to check your Black Friday numbers and that these include third party, non-industry benefiting organizations; this does not mean two separate Tweeters). This update isn’t seeking to debate that point. Instead, let’s flip it around. This is part of a series 30 Day Thanksgiving-->Christmas Ad Free Diet.
It was before 5 A.M. That I am sure. It was dark, freezing, Chicago. She had to get there to get this digital Kodak camera--and I had to come, get a great deal too. So we sat in traffic there and we sat for many, many hours afterwards. I don't even remember the buzz of places they went to though I feel like Ikea was in the bunch. I had no idea what Black Friday was until I was 27. My guess is either I was working or in deliberate denial (I, it could be said, often hate to shop...or correction...hate crowded malls. Crowded music venues? Trains, buses? Apparently not as much). Black Friday ads work right? It aims to get a large bump in shoppers, and numbers would show that occurs. For consumers? Hmm... Today's Fun Facts: Black Friday vs. Buy Nothing Day Ad Free Eve 11/23/2011
I sit here on the eve of my 30 Day Thanksgiving-to-Christmas Ad Free Diet, trying to spit out the last vestiges of a cold. (I hope.) Over the next month, I'll share short and sweet research and stats on advertising's purpose, development, use, and impact; develop a simple Ad Free Score of my city and those I visit over the holidays (as well as transferable lessons to anywhere); and post insights learned along the way.
(And start watching--and fact checking--Mad Men, starting with Season One.) The Experiment 10/20/2011
by N.T. Arevalo
Call it an effort of stubbornness. Maybe even futility. But I’m going to give it a shot. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, I want to avoid taking in any visual, text, or moving images that work to persuade me to buy, invest, investigate, or believe. click here to visit the most recent update on the 30 day ad free diet This means avoiding all the promotions that passively come into my view on a city street. This means avoiding email accounts that advertise. Previews. Reviews of any kind. Promotional mailers. Crafted pitches for donations. Possibly my bank. Essentially, nearly anyone’s influence that isn’t mine. No promotion, no persuasion, no manipulation – an ad free diet for 30 days. Tortilla Soup 05/09/2011
reprinted with permission from Casa Delicias
The first time I heard of Tortilla Soup I was in my early twenties. I was watching the movie Tortilla Soup. I don't remember much about the movie (maybe I should watch it again), but it awakened my curiosity. I wanted to taste the darn soup, but it didn’t happen until a few years later. Ceviche De Pescado (Peruano) 04/16/2011
reprinted with permission from Casa Delicias Ceviche is a Peruvian dish but for some reason in my Salvadoran –American life this is something we have eaten quite often. According to my Mother, she was introduced to ceviche during my parent’s party days. There was always an excuse to throw a party, feed and get people drunk! Apparently in this case it was my bautismo which I find quite funny because my Mom has never been Catholic but again any excuse to party. A friend of theirs from Peru helped her plan the menu for that function and he suggested ceviche because it was easy and economical to make. She of course passed this recipe on to family members and well it has been a delicious part of our lives since then. I do have a funny note to add (at least to me). My Sister and I were never allowed to eat this citrusy meal because according to my Mom, “Se van a caer de la cama” or “Se van a ir rapido de la casa”. The translation to that but not in exact words basically the ceviche was going to make us “horny” and we were going to have sex before our time. We were eventually allowed to eat the fish only but not the onions (that is another story in itself). I am happy to be able to share this wonderful “aphrodisiac” with you. It is a wonderful light meal for those warm days to come! ST. PATRICK’S DAY “PARADE THROW NOODLES” 03/17/2011
 Wow, after all the madness of Mardi Gras, who knew New Orleans could rally so quickly for St. Patrick’s? Today was the “largest St. Patrick’s parade in the South” through the Irish Channel, right up the street from me. In addition to the usual beads and trinkets, parade goers are pelted with produce, (primarily cabbage), cereal and soap! I caught two cabbages and created a new variation on my newly discovered love of cabbage & noodles for dinner tonight. Voila! My first original recipe post.
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