Terry Levine | Noggin Advertising | Copywriter | Digital + Direct Writer | Blogging | Toronto | Canada

THE POWER OF DENIAL: 140 WORDS ON 'THE FLAT'

(Spoiler alert!)

Comedian Jon Lovitz became famous for, among other things, his hilarious impression of actor Harvey Fierstein: "I just wanna be loved, is that so wrong?"

We all want to be loved and sometimes we deny in our hearts what, in retrospect, is so obvious to others.

The power of denial runs deeply all through the 'The Flat', an Israeli documentary that exposes an eyebrow-raising relationship between the film-maker's German-born Jewish grandparents and a man who played a major role in the Nazi extermination of six million Jews during World War II. It also shows how, 70 years later, the Nazi's daughter and the film-maker's own mother continue to live in denial about their parents' sordid past.

The film reminds us how often we live in denial about the people we love simply because admitting the truth is so painful.

 

THE RISE OF EXTORTIOLESCENTS, AKA FUNDRAISING CANVASSERS

They're called canvassers. But when I asked my friends on Facebook a couple of days ago what the young people are called who try to stop you on the street to chat about one of a variety of charities, these are some of the answers I got:

"Annoying."

"Urchins."

"Exploited child labor."

"Extortiolescents." (Thanks Neil Corbilla.)

"Chuggers."

"A pain in the fucking ass."

"Rodents?"

I quickly realized that I wasn't the only person who cringes every time I turn the corner and find a teenager with a clipboard trying his best to strike up a conversation with me, ostensibly about my biceps or the shoes I'm wearing, but really about World Vision or Doctors Without Borders.

Which begs the question: Do the organizations that hire these kids really believe that accosting people on the street with the promise of fake conversation is an effective way to (a) raise money or (b) raise awareness?

I'm going with (b) since I've never actually seen anyone give money to these canvassers. Still (b) doesn't seem too likely to me either because, based on my visceral reaction and the reaction of many people I know, the only awareness these organizations are raising is negative.

One of my friends reports that canvassers are popular with the under 25 crowd but I'm thinking if you're under 25 you'd rather talk to Drake on the street or someone offering you Starbucks Refreshers™ than some stranger, a couple of rungs higher than a homeless person, pretending to be your friend so they can hit you up for a contribution.

I have nothing against these kids. They're probably making crap money doing this work and it probably beats working at Walmart. And I feel bad when some girl asks if I can stop to talk or give her a high-five and I just shake my head, look down and rush off as if she had leprosy. But to the organizations using them, are you really getting the benefit you think you're getting? Because it seems to me a fair percentage of the public, maybe the majority, now connects your name with cold sweats and used car salesmen in training.

Is this really what you have in mind?

 

 

GETTING IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME

I walked into a new donut shop last month, Jelly Modern Doughnuts, "Canada's original gourmet doughnut bakery cafe." I'd been eyeing it for a few weeks. The exterior of the store looked hip and modern, the logo was funky and playful and colorful. You're not supposed to judge a book by its cover but we all do and I did, so I finally walked in. The staff looked dazed and there were about 10 dried out donuts on display. Hmmm. I chose a cinnamon-flavored one because it was the freshest looking one. It tasted okay but the disappointment I felt from the moment I walked in ensured that I'd never return. And I haven't.

Compare that to the burger joint I tried out last night for the first time, The Burger's Priest. I'd heard great things about it and I wasn't disappointed. My cheeseburger was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. And everyone I was with loved theirs -- the Vatican City and the Pope, in particular, from a "secret" online menu. The place was packed, the decor was quirky and original, with Hebrew scriptures on the wall and tiny crosses over the menu board showing someone's attention to detail. In short, they got everything right. I will be back.

The funny thing, I think, is even if I return to the Burger's Priest and I don't have a great experience, I'll probably give it a third and fourth chance -- because that first time was great. But I'm done with Jelly, even if I should give it a second chance. It just goes to show how important first impressions are.

When I work for a client the first time or, even before that, when I'm emailing a prospective new client, I'm paranoid about making sure there are no spelling mistakes in anything I write. I'm a writer, for godsakes. If I screw up spelling the first time I communicate with someone, what does that say about my abilities and attention to detail? I have to get it right the first time.

Remember that the next time you go into a job interview or start a business. Maybe little details like this shouldn't matter. But they do.

MODERATE, DON'T PROHIBIT.

When people ask me how is it that I eat ice cream and McDonald's and I'm not fat, I tell them it's simple. I don't prohibit myself from eating junk food, I just eat less of it.

Frankly, if I sat in front of the TV with a whole pint or liter of cookie dough ice cream, I would eat a whole pint or liter of cookie dough ice cream. So I pull out a tea cup and dole out a scoop.

Yet a whole diet and fitness industries have risen up to "help" people solve this seemingly intractible problem. It's really not brain surgery. For most people who don't have a hormonal problem, eat a little less, workout a little more.

Take money. I understand people going into debt if they're out of a job for a long time, embroiled in a lawsuit or working at Walmart. But short of those exceptions, it really isn't difficult to live within your means. I make a great living but I can't afford to fly first class or, sadly, buy these Lanvin sneakers -- correction, I can but I'd run out of money really fast. So I don't -- I fly coach and I buy these runners instead. And if times were tough, I would not travel or buy frivolous running shoes at all. It's not complicated.

This approach probably doesn't work when it comes to legitimately addictive substances: nicotine, alcohol, crack. If you have a substance-abuse problem, you need to not smoke, drink or shoot up at all. Maybe have an apple slice. (Yes, I'm talking to you, Rob Ford.)

But for most things in our lives, moderation can go a long way. The trouble is we live in a culture of entitlement where we convince ourselves we "need" things that we simply only "want." But wanting is human, so give yourself what you want, just don't be a pig about it. (Yep, still talking to you, crackhead.)

NOGGIN NOMNOM : BRAINFOOD FOR JULY 16, 2013

Here are 3 things from Noggin Advertising to make you smarter today:

 

@HARVARDBIZ : SHOW ME THE MONEY

A recent Gallup poll shows that a measly 30% of US workers are engaged in their jobs, with those in small businesses and in management the most engaged. I'm sure many will pick apart these numbers to try to fathom what's going on. But if I may be so bold let me surmise that it's mostly about money. If you're working for Walmart and the guy on the top is making $8 zillion a year and you're making $9 an hour, you're not going to be too engaged. Reward all fairly for their work, not just management, and workers will feel more ownership for what they do. Summer office parties, $10 gift cards and worthless trinkets doled out at Christmas won't cut it.

 

@NERDGRAPH : WHEN KRYSTLE CARRINGTON SAID 'BITCH'

There are have been many memorable moments since TV took over our lives 60 years ago but some of the most unforgettable were those that broke down cultural barriers: showing married couples in bed, saying 'bitch,' 'shit,' 'fuck,' acknowledging pregnancy, interracial couples, gays. This infographic pays homage to many of them.

 

#SETHGODIN : SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS

My business partner and I have been working together for nearly a decade making our relationship probably the most enduring one I've ever had. The secret to our success? Without a doubt, it's mutual respect and trust. Here's Seth Godin's take on successful partnerships.