May. 24th, 2007
(no subject)
May. 24th, 2007 02:42 pmMcDonald's petitions OED to change or remove definition of "McJob"
The Oxford English Dictionary currently describes a McJob as "an unstimulating low-paid job with few prospects".
McDonald's says this definition is now "out of date and insulting"
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Edited to add my own comment from below:
McDonald's claim is that McJob refers, inherently, to a job at McDonald's, and that a job at McDonald's is no longer unstimulating, low-paid, or with few prospects.
Their claim is that, as such, the definition of McJob should be changed to correctly reflect the reality of working at McDonald's, since it is a word that means "a job such as that you will get at McDonald's".
I can see their case from that standpoint (I don't BELIEVE them when they say their jobs are better, but I can see their case) and I can see it from a brand management standpoint.
More pointedly, McDonald's are doing this as publicity stunt and as an attempt to rebrand themselves. By getting their staff and their patrons interested in the campaign, by giving them investment in the form of making them a part of the petition, they're working to get their core audience out there and saying "but that's not true" against the existing use of the word. It's an attempt to build a "team" where "McJob" used as a derogatory manner is, frankly, a dirty word, and the members of this team will object to it.
And that's smart marketing. I find this kind of thing fascinating, to see how it will play out in practice.
The Oxford English Dictionary currently describes a McJob as "an unstimulating low-paid job with few prospects".
McDonald's says this definition is now "out of date and insulting"
=============================
Edited to add my own comment from below:
McDonald's claim is that McJob refers, inherently, to a job at McDonald's, and that a job at McDonald's is no longer unstimulating, low-paid, or with few prospects.
Their claim is that, as such, the definition of McJob should be changed to correctly reflect the reality of working at McDonald's, since it is a word that means "a job such as that you will get at McDonald's".
I can see their case from that standpoint (I don't BELIEVE them when they say their jobs are better, but I can see their case) and I can see it from a brand management standpoint.
More pointedly, McDonald's are doing this as publicity stunt and as an attempt to rebrand themselves. By getting their staff and their patrons interested in the campaign, by giving them investment in the form of making them a part of the petition, they're working to get their core audience out there and saying "but that's not true" against the existing use of the word. It's an attempt to build a "team" where "McJob" used as a derogatory manner is, frankly, a dirty word, and the members of this team will object to it.
And that's smart marketing. I find this kind of thing fascinating, to see how it will play out in practice.
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silmaril(no subject)
May. 24th, 2007 11:32 pm"Uh-oh."
"Don't tell me. We're about to go over a huge waterfall."
"Yep."
"Sharp rocks at the bottom?"
"Most likely."
...
"Bring it on. "
"Don't tell me. We're about to go over a huge waterfall."
"Yep."
"Sharp rocks at the bottom?"
"Most likely."
...
"Bring it on. "
Fun with Cretin Science
May. 24th, 2007 11:58 pmBrian Benson, an eighth-grade student who won first place in the Life Science/Biology category for his project “Creation Wins!!!,” says he disproved part of the theory of evolution. Using a rolled-up paper towel suspended between two glasses of water with Epsom Salts, the paper towel formed stalactites. He states that the theory that they take millions of years to develop is incorrect.
“Scientists say it takes millions of years to form stalactites,” Benson said. “However, in only a couple of hours, I have formed stalactites just by using paper towel and Epsom Salts. Duh, I eat poop!”
========================================
Ooookay, can we count how many ways he's fundamentally wrong, here?
#1: "evolution" of ROCKS?
#2: "biology" of ROCKS?
#3: When was the last time you saw a stalactite made out of epsom salts?
#4: Poop tastes bad, and eating poop is bad for you.
“Scientists say it takes millions of years to form stalactites,” Benson said. “However, in only a couple of hours, I have formed stalactites just by using paper towel and Epsom Salts. Duh, I eat poop!”
========================================
Ooookay, can we count how many ways he's fundamentally wrong, here?
#1: "evolution" of ROCKS?
#2: "biology" of ROCKS?
#3: When was the last time you saw a stalactite made out of epsom salts?
#4: Poop tastes bad, and eating poop is bad for you.