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100:1 odds that this won't be gracing the aisles of Whole Foods, or the galleries of fine theatres, or the elegant lobbies of ritzy hotels and restaurants, or a
by tc 16y ago
100:1 odds that this won't be gracing the aisles of Whole Foods, or the galleries of fine theatres, or the elegant lobbies of ritzy hotels and restaurants, or anywhere else that the politicians and power-brokers who run this increasingly insane government might expect to be found.
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[1] As as aside.... There must be some serious arm-twisting going on here. I cannot fathom a reason, outside of garnering favor with an increasingly powerful and arbitrary government, that a profit-seeking business would allow fear-mongering within their premises. This cannot be good for retail. Amazon must be licking their lips.
[2] It's doubly unlikely that this will ever appear at Whole Foods, as the founder seems to be a libertarian. If he was interested in political favors he wouldn't have posted that WSJ op-ed on health-care.
[3] Orwell parallel: in 1984, only the members of the Inner Party could turn off their telescreens... though they also left the proles more or less in peace.
[4] Regarding the suggestions below that this could be good business for Walmart... there's truth in what you say, but I doubt it applies in this case. A fearful message such as, "It's hurricane season. Stock up!" would likely be effective (in certain geographies). Reminding people that gathering at your particular establishment might be dangerous, though, seems less likely to engender repeat business. "There may be terrorists lurking in our parking lot. Beware!"
- icey 16y agoRegarding your aside: A fearful populace is probably significantly more likely to stockpile.
- rdtsc 16y ago> A fearful populace is probably significantly more likely to stockpile. In general, they are also more susceptable to suggestions (advertising messages). Related paper by Wheatley and Oshikawa. http://www.jstor.org/pss/3149511 http://www.jstor.org/pss/3149511 The Relationship between Anxiety and Positive and Negative Advertising Appeals (Journal of Marketing Research, Vol. 7, No. 1, Feb 1970). [sorry publishing paywall, anyone can find the full version?] In addition to certain segments of the population Walmart will seem more American, more patriotic, and more trustworthy. I hate to say it, but it is an excellent business choice on Walmart's part.
- bingaman 16y agoHere's the paper for those who are interested: http://www.scribd.com/doc/44864540/The-Relationship-between-Anxiety-and-Positive-and-Negative-Advertising-Appeals http://www.scribd.com/doc/44864540/The-Relationship-between-...
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- Evgeny 16y agoLooks true from my experience. During the period of transition from Soviet Union to Russia, whenever people were anticipating any news from the government, salt, sugar, coffee, matches disappeared from the shops very quickly. Every family had a stash of canned foods for the so-called "black day" (hard times).
- blahblahblah 16y agoIf you think about it for a minute, the vast majority of suspicious activity likely to be reported in a Walmart is related to shoplifting. That doesn't make this move by the government any less creepy, but it does explain why Walmart would go along with it.