DB#304 - Tintin and the Power of Google
In this show: the benefits of a family retreat; Battlestar Galactica rumor debunked; Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson team up for Tintin; Web 2.0, your privacy and the power of Google; Starbucks ‘The Way I See It’ campaign; contemporary idolatry.
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I wouldn’t worry so much about Google, Father. I think Microsoft has more power over the world right now with so many computers absolutely dependent on their software. If you are concerned about Google knowing your information, then just be sure that you log out of your Google account before you enter a search. They will then have a list of your search locations, but they will not have a way to tie them to you directly. Or just use Yahoo!… they are still relevant even though they are dwarfed by Google.
For those who are convinced that the world is moving to web-based software like Google documents, etc… remember that there are an awful lot of people who work on a computer when they either cannot or choose not to be connected to the internet. Airplanes, non-internet cafes, parks, trains… we don’t have universal broadband yet, and I personally don’t feel too comfortable making my entire machine dependent on my internet connection.
Oh, and this year in a study of the best tasting coffee in America, McDonald’s new coffee ranked #1. The funny thing: McDonald’s coffee is supplied by Seattle’s Best, a company that was acquired in 2004 by (wait for it) Starbuck’s.
Don’t use Google use clusty.com, which in my opinion has the best search results from all search engines.
Check out this “Intercept” about the Starbucks campaign…
http://wigglebrick.com/heaven-is-totally-overrated/
Starbuck’s is sure getting a lot of pub from their Way I See It campaign. The June issue of the magazine Scientific American has an article about thought #224 which talks about Darwinism.
There are many reasons why Starbucks coffee is so expensive. One is, that Starbucks supports coffee producers, their families and communities. They also invest in social programs. If you want to know more, head over to http://www.starbucks.com and click on about us and social responsibility (on the
left).
I always have a good feeling when I buy my coffee from Starbucks, because part of the money I spend goes to poor families.
Susi, are you saying that Starbucks serves Fair Trade coffee?
Regarding Starbucks - part of the reason that the coffee is so expensive is that employees of the company are paid well for the type of work that they do and get good benefits, including paid vacation and sick leave, subsidized health benefits, stock options and a 401(k) plan. This is not just for the managers, but also for the rest of the staff, including part-timers who work at least 240 hours per quarter. I’ve had a number of students who worked their way through college by working at Starbucks and they consistently told me that their employers were supportive of their educational efforts and worked students’ work schedules around their class schedules. This flexibility and the access to health insurance make working for Starbucks a sought after job for college students.
There is also an independent coffee shop that I’ve bought from and it is a trade off. The price difference isn’t that great. In going there I’m supporting an independent business, which is something that I try to do. At the same time, I’m a little conflicted because their employees do not have access to the benefits that the Starbucks employees do.
Yes, I could make coffee at home and, when I’ve got time to make a cappuccino, I do. When I go out for coffee, I do so because I was rushed, I’m not at home when I want the coffee, or I’m meeting a friend to spend a rare hour visiting at a location convenient to us both. I realize that I’m paying for coffee, service, and a comfortable place to visit.
I’ve been at a point in my life where every penny counted and I couldn’t afford the luxury of food or drinks made for me at a shop or restaurant. So, I can understand where people are coming from when the lowest price is the absolute determining factor. Things are a little better now and I try to give my business to either independent businesses or businesses that treat their employees well - even if it costs a little more. It’s just one way, albeit an indirect one, to support the idea that people should be able to earn a decent wage and have access to health insurance.
Finally, with regard to the comments that appear on the cups - some I find interesting, some I agree with, and some I disagree with, but I respect their right to print these things on their cups as long as they don’t advocate harm to others. I’ve had evangelical students make very clear to me that they find my Catholicism offensive after they saw the St. Anthony medal I wear. Tolerance goes a long way toward making it possible for people of diverse beliefs to live together. The comments on the Starbucks cups just don’t rise to the level that I feel it necessary to object.
I love Asterix & Obelix! My father has all the comic books available in Swedish. I am not too familiar with Tintin, unfortunately.
Father, I have to disagree with you about McDonald’s coffee. I think it is the best thing about the restaurant! Probably the only good thing they have there.
Hello Father R! Thanks so much for your entertaining outlook, my commute to London by train everyday (2hrs!) is brightened by your enthusiasm and observations…
In the Uk, Cafe Nero is a very popular coffee stop with much stronger, more Italian tasting coffee (and a bit cheaper than SB’s) didnt I hear that Dunkin Donuts had the best coffee in the US? Anyway, thanks again (a mention on your podcast would certainly wake me up in time for my stop!!) God bless.
These “The Way I See It” are quite controversial but why don’t we write our own. There could be quotes from the Bible and other things like Father’s thought of the day. If they are taking suggestions from costumers then we could swamp them with a little more wholesome outlooks on things. That would be one way of solving things.
P.S. they wouldn’t have to know that the quotes were from the Bible
I checked out “The Way I See It” on the Starbucks website. It seems they are, as it explains below, some thoughts etc from notable figures. And it’s an attempt to start discussion.From the sample I read, there are many really inspirational ones as well as tongue in cheek and slighty irreverant ones. I don’t see anything to be upset about. It is certainly not an anti-christian crusade by Starbucks, in my opinion.
From the starbucks website:
“Sparking conversation In the tradition of coffee houses everywhere, Starbucks has always supported a good, healthy discussion. To get people talking, “The Way I See It” is a collection of thoughts, opinions and expressions provided by notable figures that now appear on our widely shared cups.
The Way I See It #233 previous | next
I used to think that going to the jungle made my life an adventure. However, after years of unusual work in exotic places, I realize that it is not how far off I go, or how deep into the forest I walk that gives my life meaning. I see that living life fully is what makes life – anyone’s life, no matter where they do or do not go – an adventure.
– Maria Fadiman
Geographer, ethnobotanist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer.
Most important, join us in an ongoing discussion that has only just begun.
Please note: The opinions put forth by contributors to “The Way I See It” do not necessarily reflect the views of Starbucks.”
Good point. I hadn’t really done any research.
Today in the newspaper we have an article that put Starbucks as the saver of many small coffee growers in Costa Rica http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2007/mayo/20/pais1101327.html
It is an interesting article, I still don’t agree that this organization is the true saver of the small coffee growers, but this is kine of a campaign to promote the CAFTA approval.
I too will chime in that McDonald’s coffee, while horrible in the past (the result of original sin???), is now really pretty good. I often hit the drive-through while on the road home from dropping my daughter off at college.
Also on the topic of coffee, I recently heard that drinking a lot of unfiltered coffee, or drinks like cappucino that are made with unfiltered coffee, can raise one’s cholesterol (the bad kind.)
The professor in Tintin was Professor Calculus. I started reading Tintin in the early 1060’s.