Response to Beauty Backlash

The campaign for Dove I think was a very successful campaign but I find it funny that they are pushing to have an image that is contrary to their own product.

I think it is important that people feel comfortable with their own bodies.  However, there are a lot of people in the United States who still feel uncomfortable with their bodies.  Dove's campaign I think was a step in the right direction.  They wanted to show their audience that they think any body, no matter the shape, is beautiful.  It is a direction I think more products need to move in.

Even if it is a step in the right direction if you look further into where this message is coming from it is hard to believe that they truly believe that; the message is completely contrary to their products.  If everyone is beautiful why would they need beauty products to make them look even better.

This campaign is much like the cigarette companies creating a campaign for smokers to stop smoking.  In my mind it hardly makes any sense.  Overall, it is a message that needs to be heard but it is coming from a source that is hard to take serious.

It's JUST a car with wings... Oh wait, it can fly too?!

Well, it looks like we are getting a little closer to the Jetson family.  For years, people have been dreaming of what it would be like to have a personal car that could take flight; that day has come.

TERRAFUGIA has created the vehicle called Transition^®.  It is a completely street legal car that has the ability and potential to fly over it's competitors (literally).  The picture to the left shows the cars ability to fly over buildings.  So, it actually reaches heights that make this a flying car.

This car plane street legal plane is also fairly impressive on the street; it get's 30 mpg at highway speeds.  The specs for this vehicle can be found here.  It is looking as if this might be one of the first viable options for a relatively low cost plane/car combo.  The anticipated purchase price still might seem a bit high at $194,000 but considering most would easily spend $300k+ on a personal aircraft $194k is a reasonable price.

As, the years move on I am sure this car/cars like it will come down in price making this an affordable option for many.  When looking at training this vehicle requires as little as 20 hours of flight time in a Transition®-specific course.  If you are already a pilot all you need is a quick familiarization training it comes with every Transition® vehicle.

Maybe the Jeston's world is closer to us than we realize.  As a product I think this one shows a lot of promise.  With a relatively low price of $194,000, the need for only 20 hours of training, and the possibility to use this plane as a car on roads makes this, in my mind, one of the best products of 2010.

Hamline Univeristy - Fictional Press Release

Mystery, Inc. Debunks Ghost Sightings That Drove Students Out of Manor Residence Hall

For many years, students have been experiencing ghost sightings in Manor Residence Hall which forced Hamline University to consider closing the building.

St. Paul, MN (Hamline University) March 21, 2010 – At Hamline University, Manor Residence Hall has been part of many ghost stories. Each class that has gone through Hamline has their own story to tell about ghostly images and strange events that have occurred to them or a friend. As of recently, the stories had risen to a tipping point where students would had rather moved off campus than live in Manor Residence Hall.

Hamline University refused to believe their building was haunted. To prove to the community and campus that Hamline is ghost free Hamline University called on the help of a group of teenage detectives and their dog to debunk the mystery.

Mystery, Inc. arrived early Monday morning on the 15th of March. Hamline University, provided rooms for the detectives as they and their dog searched for clues behind the stories of the haunting. The last day of their visit they had come up with enough clues to finally know who or what was behind the haunting.

The man behind the haunting was Mr. Jenkins, a local land owner, hoping to increase the interest of his apartments; which were located very close to Hamline University. He was quoted, “And I would've gotten away with it, if it weren't for you meddling kids!”

After the man behind the haunting was found many students were able to relax and now the occupancy of Manor is on the rise. Even though the stories have been debunked the ghost stories are still being told by upperclassman trying to deter first years from moving into Manor Residence Hall.

Hamline University:

Hamline University is Minnesota’s first university and one of the first coeducational institutions in the nation. It provides education to nearly 5,000 students within its undergraduate, graduate, and law programs. Hamline University is also located in a very centralized area which is known as the Midway. The Midway is positioned right between Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Contact:
Christian M. Swanberg
Hamline University
1536 Hewitt Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55104-1284
651-523-2800

For information:
Website: http://www.hamline.edu
Phone: 651-523-2800

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