Issue #30

In this issue:

• Lessons from the La-Z-Boy®
• Whys Cracks
• The Buzz

Word to the Whys

"In the future, everybody will be famous for 15 minutes."
~ Andy Warhol

"There can be no high civility without a deep morality."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"A person of character takes as much trouble to discover what is right as the lesser men take to discover what will pay."
~ Confucius

"Honesty is the key to a relationship. If you can fake that, you're in."
~ Courtney Cox (Monica on "Friends")

Fame is what you have taken, Character's what you give; When to this truth you awaken, Then you begin to live.
~ Bayard Taylor, American author (1825-1878)

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Lessons from the La-Z-Boy®

From Zero to Superstar in 60 Seconds

It's cold in Golden, Colorado, so I've been getting a PhD in pop culture media by watching more than my share of the tube. I have no idea where they come up with today's programming ideas, but one thing is for sure: the masterminds at the networks ain't targeting you and me, baby; they're going straight for our kids. I'm not only referring to the plethora of shows intentionally marketed to Gen Whys on MTV, the WB and UPN. I'm talking about those found in prime-time family hour on the big four networks.

Janet Jackson's Superbowl prank didn't shock me near as much as the national uproar from her shameless stunt did. As pathetically distasteful and clandestine as it was, one cannot think that it was not expected - if not carefully choreographed - by the big kahunas on Madison Avenue and in Hollywood. With hundreds of millions of highly impressionable young males tuned in to the big game - loaded with disposable income and ripe for the pickin' - it was just too juicy of an opportunity not to fully exploit. And what of those prudes who were personally offended? Well, they must have been viewed as unfortunate casualties that would simply have to "get hip or get over it." The goal was to kickstart Janet's career and bring her back into the forefront of pop Divahood along side of Britney, Christina, and Beyonce. And to do that, the apparent cry is "skin to win!"

With a click of the remote, we see that "The Donald" has decided to teach our emerging workforce how to get to the top. The show's opening sequence asks the provocative question, "What if you could have it all?" This asserts that, by virtue of his business success, Donald Trump has indeed mastered the game of life. Then, as if career success equates to "having it all," The Apprentice sets out to demonstrate that it's not about hard work and sacrifice. Rather, it's about scheming and conniving to climb over fifteen other twenty-somethings to win at all costs - not a cash award or a fancy prize - but a high-paying prestigious career as the president of one of Trump's companies. A company, mind you, that the winner has never worked for and in which they have absolutely no experience or knowledge. (Can you imagine the enthusiastic welcome and dedication this "instant game show CEO" will receive from their managers and staff?)

And we, the people, no longer must wait for brilliant songwriters like Lennon and McCartney, Elton John, or Carole King to emerge. Not when we can click the remote and see who will be crowned the next American Idol. This is where Gen Why contestants compete against one another to prove who can best cover someone else's songs and then battle wits with Simon to persuade viewers to vote them to instant fame and fortune. (I wonder why any kid in America would now invest the time to master the real science of music when a used karaoke machine might be the only instrument they need to master to land a lucrative recording contract.)

From sitcoms to talk shows, Superbowls to anything-but-reality shows, Gen Whys are getting quite an education in the definition of success and how to achieve it. Although it may prove entertaining to watch, the far-reaching effects will prove to be painful as these 'instant success' messages are messing with the minds of our youth. Gen Whys cannot help but be programmed to believe that happiness is synonymous with success, success is synonymous with fame and fortune, and fame and fortune are only a stunt, stratagem, or song away. Sadly, the values of sacrifice, hard work, dedication, and self-discipline are losing the horse race broadcast during prime time.

The Bottom Line

First of all, remember that Whys detest inauthenticity. Don't do a Janet and try to pass off an orchestrated maneuver as an accidental outcome. They'll sniff it out a mile away and forever take you as a poser.

Secondly, realize how important your daily example is to countering the 'get rich quick' messages Gen Whys are obliterated with. While you must continue to strive to understand and empathize with the impatient, immediate gratification mindset of your new workforce, by itself this is not enough. Instead, continually demonstrate through your words, actions, and deeds that the high road - although not the quickest - is the most honorable, most respected, and the surest path to truly having it all.

Okay... Heard the "Lead by Example" routine before? Well, it's NEVER been more timely than it is now. And unless you want your up and comers to follow a lame lead, or fail and blame you later for setting a shallow agenda, then take the high road and forge an honorable path that they'll be compelled to follow.

Whys Cracks

Change back from your twenty

Even though Houston, Texas, School Superintendent Rod Paige ordered all schools in his district to expel violent students four years ago, teachers complain students who assault and harass them are still in class. Houston Federation of Teachers Union President Gayle Fallon says principals aren't expelling violent kids since that decreases funding. A district spokesman denies that claim, saying schools get $15 per day per student, and "no principal in their right mind is going to keep a dangerous kid in their school for $15." (Houston Chronicle)

Change back to the way it was!

The U.S. Census Bureau's newest numbers show that married-couple households have slipped from nearly 80 percent in the 1950s to just 50.7 percent today. That means that the U.S.'s 86 million single adults could soon define the new majority. What many once thought of as the fringe is becoming the new normal. U.S. News and World Report notes that Americans are getting married later in life and Gen X'ers and Gen Whys are now forming a so-called "Tribal Culture" in which single friends form highly organized groups that serve as a kind of substitute family. One such group in Denver has 110 members.

Change back to the way it was! Vol. II

After 43 years as one of the world's prettiest pairs, the perfect plastic couple is breaking up. The couple's "business manager," Russell Arons, Vice President of Marketing at Mattel, said that Barbie and Ken "feel it's time to spend some quality time -- apart. "Like other celebrity couples, their Hollywood romance has come to an end," said Arons, who quickly added that the duo "will remain friends." To better reflect her single status, Cali (as in California) Girl Barbie will wear board shorts and a bikini top, metal hoop earrings, and have a deeper tan. (CNN)

The Buzz

  What are THEY Saying?

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