By: Kenneth E. Boone, Sr.
It's always a good thing when you reach a milestone. While you get a chance to celebrate, you also have the opportunity to see if you have any unfinished business. It seems like I may have an incomplete to-do list, which totally caught me by surprise. I'm Ken Boone. Welcome to my Podcast, “MUCH MORE TO SAY” Thanks again for encouraging me to keep churning out these episodes. As I said on my last episode, my original plan was to publish between 20-25. Somehow, I reached the 100-episode mark, with no intentions to stop anytime soon. I more than doubled the 45 episodes I published for my first podcast, "From Grievance to Gratitude", which ran from May 2019 through October 2020. Add to that the over 50 blog posts under the same title helped to establish me as a “Blogging Podcaster”. As I mentioned on several occasions, sometime in calendar year 2023, my current flagship show, "Much More to Say", was placed under review for possible violations of one of their Terms of Service policies by my hosting platform. I didn't agree with them. But instead of sticking around for the outcome of their review, I moved most of the shows I produced for my network. All except “From Grievance to Gratitude.” My plan was to let that show die on the vine, since I officially cancelled my hosting account with the platform. But for some strange reason, “From Grievance to Gratitude” is still active on Spreaker as well as the rest of the platforms out there. Not only did my hosting platform effectively paralyze this show, but they also placed under review the three new podcasts scheduled for release this Fall. That hurt, since I already recorded, published, and began promoting trailers for those shows. At least I can still use some of the content from those shows. Now that my old show is still out there, and I'm not a wasteful person, what am I to do? It's not that I'm feeling nostalgic. Not even close. In fact, the first few episodes were painful to record and even more painful to listen to. But since I didn't expect the show to garner a large following of listeners, I was able to toil away in anonymity. One can be quite bold when one knows he's not being heard. The main purpose of the show was to give me experience behind the microphone, and early on featured me mouthing off about the perceived slights I endured in both my early and later years. However, I would intentionally double back and express the gratefulness I felt when I found the silver linings. At first, the gratitude was pretty hard to spot. But over time, it began to take over the episodes. Over time, the lack of things for me to complain about made that podcast irrelevant. And since I was already bitten by the podcasting bug, I had no choice but to create the show you're listening to now. I was able to find new home for the other podcasts that are part of the Descant MMG Podcast Network. I still publish episodes of “Much More to Say” every Wednesday. I've remastered episodes of the shows hosted by Celia and Angel. I publish those shows on alternating Mondays. But what should I do about “From Grievance to Gratitude”? Right now, the answer is not clear to me. But I have until the end of this calendar year to decide. That's when the podcasts hosted by Celia and Angel are scheduled to end their runs. However, if either of them decides they want to resume recording, we'll pick up right where we left off. In the meantime, this show is still alive and well. We just published our 100th episode last Wednesday. I've worked the kinks out of the companion blog, with posts appearing each Friday. Those two projects keep me pretty busy, so I don't have to do anything with the old show. But for some reason it was left out there and I'd like to see if it still has a pulse. Parting Shots As I said at the beginning of this episode, reaching a milestone is a good thing. For a podcaster, publishing your 100th episode is nothing short of monumental. To celebrate the occasion, I bought a few cheap trinkets as well as some decent takeout. However, I do have some unfinished business. I have more people, places, and things to promote, more opinions to offer, and maybe even restart an old podcast. Whatever lies on the road ahead, I'm glad to have you along for the ride. God Bless, my friends! Today's Quote “There's always unfinished business in life, that doesn't mean we stop trying to finish what we started.” – Anonymous
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By: Kenneth E. Boone, Sr.
Now that we've reached episode 100 of our little show, how are we going to mark this occasion? By going back to beginning and asking ourselves are we better off now than we were back then? What am I waiting for? Let's find out. I'm Ken Boone. Welcome to my podcast, “MUCH MORE TO SAY” Let me set the stage for you. The date was October 27, 2020, and we were in the midst of the first wave of COVID. We were also in the middle of a presidential campaign. A few days earlier, I voted by mail for the first time. I made that decision because I was considered to be in a high-risk group to contract the virus, because of my heart condition. My cardiologist at the time agreed with my decision. I also encouraged all of you to vote, no matter your ideology or political affiliation. That plea came with a warning that there were forces out there who going to corrupt the election. I didn't know how they would act. In fact, no one could have suggested just how far they'd go to get the outcome they wanted. We're cleaning up the mess from January 6th, with no definitive end in sight. We're 100 episodes into this show, and what has changed? Well, a lot and a little. It's changed a lot in that the guy I was rooting for won the election, and in my opinion, is doing a fantastic job as president. Despite what his critics say, he's the best one I've seen in my lifetime. On the other hand, things have changed very little in that the loser of 2020 presidential hasn't ridden into the sunset like most former presidents do. It appears that someone advised him that the only way he won't face justice is if he wins the next election. And his followers don't realize that the only reason he's running again is to avoid prison. I devoted the first seven episodes of this podcast to things political in nature. While I avoided some of the aggressive debates that some of my colleagues engaged in, I think I got my point across as respectfully as I knew how. I hope I can still be diplomatic going forward, as I'm sure the political climate will no doubt turn ugly in 2024. As we got deeper attempted to move forward, the focus of this show shifted to the effort to discover a “new normal”. COVID vaccines were widely available, free of charge, and seemed to be doing an excellent job of getting the pandemic under control. I used the next six episodes to explain, as best I could, how we could resume our regularly scheduled lives and still keep ourselves safe. It was also during this block of episodes that I decided to increase my publication schedule from monthly to bi-weekly releases. It was also then that I started thinking about how long I wanted this show to last. My initial thoughts were to end it after 20-25 episodes, so I could move on to other projects. In hindsight, I'm glad I was wrong. After taking a much-needed month-long vacation, I returned to the Glorious Corner Studio with a new focus and new sense of purpose. My thoughts had moved away from political arena, and not just because I had a problem with the rhetoric from my friends on the other side of the aisles. I realized that the entire cable news landscape treats politics like a contact sport. And my side is probably more guilty of that than they are. Since I was merely offering my opinions on whatever crossed my mind, it made sense for me to expand the conversation into other areas of interest to me. So, I changed the category from a Society & Culture podcast to a Personal Journal. That proved to be a good call, because the former category never quite fit what I was trying to do. That's because Society & Culture podcasts cover a wide range of topics, from discussions of current events and social issues to explorations of art, music, and literature. So far, so good. But here's where I part ways with that type of show. That genre features interviews with leading thinkers and experts. And as I discovered in Episode 31, I'm wired to do a solo podcast. Initially, I thought that a Personal Journal was a diary in podcast form, but I was wrong. Whereas a diary is a place where a person records their daily experiences, thoughts, and feelings in a chronological format, a personal journal focuses on reflection, introspection, and self-analysis. That also makes for a more interesting podcasting style. I was so comfortable producing these short journals that my creative juices started to flow. So much so that I blew past the 20-25 episode run that I planned for this show, to where I am right now, recording my 100th episode. So much so that I began publishing episodes on a weekly basis. And so far, I haven't run out of things to say. It was during this phase of the podcast that I stumbled upon three guiding principles that I follow to this day. When approaching a new episode, I remember to do these simple things:
This was also a period of great personal discovery. I learned that my perfectionism was an outgrowth of my habit of procrastination. Once I made the connection, fixing that character flaw was much easier than I thought it would be, even though I've been a procrastinator for decades. During this period of complete honesty, it became clear to me that I am more of a musical enthusiast than an actual musician. It's not to say that I can't pick up a bass for time to time and join Celia on stage to provide special music at the church of a friend. However, I find my lack of dedication to the craft insulting to those who pour their hearts into their craft. So, if I'm not a musician in the traditional sense, what in the heck would be my creative outlet. I can't say it's podcasting, because I consider that my drug of choice. It's also my life's passion, the thing I would do if money were no object and I had absolutely no fear of failure. The thing that I landed on has always been staring me in the face. And that happens to be writing. Any kind of writing. Everything from episode scripts, to blog posts, and even simple emails and cover letters. I've always loved to it, even if no one ever read a word I've written. And I happen to be pretty good at it. In fact, one of my English professors suggested that I submit some of my essays to a couple of small publications. I should have, but all I did was respectfully blow her off. Big mistake! It was also around this time that my brother, Mike, told me that he was beginning the process of recording a new jazz album. This was going to be his eighth self-produced and self-financed endeavor. I filed that away for later use. Finally, I discovered that talking about myself into a microphone isn't self-indulgent behavior. It's not, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary: excessive or unrestrained gratification of one's own appetites, desires, or whim. It's nothing more than me recording my personal journal. The key word here is personal. In December 2022, I was hospitalized for a few days. In hindsight, things weren't as bad as it seemed at the time, but it required critical care. As I mentioned in a few episodes, I wasn't my typical cheerful self as a patient. I started grumbling, griping, bitching, and complaining from my second day there. I was so bad that I got kicked out, and only if I filled my prescription and made and kept my follow-up appointments. I did both and now back to feeling great and being my old sunny self. Well, sort of. With 60 episodes in the books, I entered calendar year 2023 ready to make some big moves on this show as well as in my life. One is to achieve the unthinkable: record and publish my 100th episode of this podcast. And here we are! October also marks the fifth anniversary of the Descant MMG Podcast Network. I've yet to reach the goals I set for this venture, but I'm still proud of what I've accomplished so far. I did create and produce a number of podcasts hosted by some amazing talent. And I have faith that more projects will come my way. I just have to prepare myself for what the future holds. Going forward, I will continue to talk about the accomplishments of “The Philly 3”, which consists of vocalist Maci Miller, guitarist Larry Tamanini, and my brother, bassist Mike Boone. These three friends were there at the beginning of this run. During the peak of the COVID crisis, they were out there, be it on Zoom or on social-distanced stages, comforting us with their incredible musical gifts. My brother's latest CD, “Enjoying the View”, was finally completed and released last month. The reviews have been impressive. They are playing album cuts on various jazz radio stations across the country. And the album is being considered for a Grammy nomination in the Latin Jazz category. Maci's album, titled “Nine”, was also recently released. And like Mike's, it is being quite well received by critics and listeners alike. With radio airplay and a busy performing schedule, I'm sure that Maci will be up for nominations in the next award season. While I'm waiting for Larry to record his third album, he's been busy doing a lot of cool things. In addition to posting instructional videos, he has been performing extensively in both the Greater Philadelphia area as well as New York City. Larry just got back from Arvada, Colorado, where he was both a featured performer and lecturer at the Rocky Mountain Archtop Jazz Conference. Meanwhile, we are about to embark upon another presidential campaign and election. As much as I would like to stick my head in the sand until it passes, I know that I can't. The symmetry is too tempting to ignore.This is where we were when I first stated this podcast 100 episodes ago. Just like when I started this show, I will resist the urge to use this platform to persuade my listeners as to what they should think, say, and do. I'm just here to inform you on my opinion of some or all things political. As Celia always says, “take what you like, and leave the rest”. You won't hurt my feeling if you don't agree with me. Parting Shots So, what's next for me and this show? I guess that I will play it by ear. I'll continue to extend an offer to anyone who wants to use this space to contribute their questions, comments, and concerns. And I won't be offended if I get no takers. I won't be offended because this podcast is just a labor of love. I will still resist the urge to promote this show except for the twice per week posting on Facebook. I've stopped posting links on the platform formerly known as Twitter. My refusal to post on that platform isn't some form of political statement. It's just that I can't spare the extra 10 seconds or so to post. And to be honest with you, Mr. Musk doesn't need my business anyway. To tell the truth, my target audience for this show are just three people: my wife, my son, and my granddaughter. And I don't expect them to listen to any of it until after I'm gone and nearly forgotten. My wish is for them to say that although I may have been an oddball, I was a pretty deep and thoughtful oddball. And by the time they get to this episode, I can bet you cold hard cash that my son, Kenny, is going to say, “that's Pops for you. He's the only person I know who would take 100 episodes in a podcast to tell you something that should only between 20-25 episodes”. Just wait till Kenny hears Episode 200! Today's Quote “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Peter Drucker – Austrian-American Consultant and Educator
By: Kenneth E. Boone, Sr.
One of the last times Celia and I attended a church service, we were totally blown away, and not in a good way. That's because the Worship Leader admitted to us, without shame, that she couldn't sing harmony. And she was actually laughing when she told us. That's sad, but I think I know why. I'm Ken Boone. Welcome to my Podcast, “MUCH MORE TO SAY” When Mike and I were kids, we sang in what became known as the Boys Choir of Harlem. Rehearsals took place Saturday afternoons at our church, located at the corner of Lenox Avenue and 123rd Street, in Harlem USA. To get there, we had to take the 101 Bus Line, that would put us off just two blocks from the church. On our way to the bus stop, we would pass Poor Richard's Park, a tiny cutout on the corner of 3rd Avenue and 109th Street in East Harlem (aka Spanish Harlem). It was there we would hear musicians playing what's known as a “Descarga”. Descargas are improvised jam sessions consisting of variations on Cuban music themes, such as son montuno, guajira, bolero, guaracha and rumba. The genre is strongly influenced by jazz, and it was developed in Havana during the 1950s. The instruments typically used are piano, double bass, percussion section, horn section, tres, flute, and violin. The descargas we heard on the streets of East Harlem were usually performed by a percussion section joined by vocals chanting the chorus, typically in three-part harmony. Less than a block from our stop, we would pass Lehman Music Company Shop, located on 125th Street between 5th and Lenox Avenues. In addition to selling everything from sheet music to violins, to trumpets, and more, Lehman would spin records on their house stereo system. One of the speakers would be pointed outside, playing the latest in contemporary gospel music. The stop we got off the bus is known as the “Heart of Harlem”, which is the corner of 125th Street and Lenox Avenue (also named Malcom X Boulevard). It was there that our ears would be serenaded by the latest R&B, Soul, Southern and Urban Gospel music. The source of that music was the legendary Rainbow Music Record Shop, a tiny storefront with an oversized influence in the world of black music. At the time, Mike I were unaware of the nation-wide significance of the three spots we passed on our way to choir rehearsal. But we did know that the music we absorbed would stay with us forever. While doing research for this episode, I came across a Wikipedia blurb about something called the Harlem Hit Parade rankings. I learned that since 1942, Billboard Magazine used sales from certain Harlem record stores as the source of the nation-wide charts covering jazz, blues, soul, and gospel. Two of those stores they collected data for the charts were Lehman Music and Rainbow Music. I admit that while we did learn a lot by singing in the choir as well as through congregational singing on Saturday mornings, most of our musical education took place outside the four walls of the church. I give the church credit for teaching discipline and stage awareness, but the rest was learned in “the streets”. Since my formal training was limited, I had to be creative in order to get a decent musical education. So, I learned by doing a lot of listening. And since I wasn't blessed with a great musical ear, the process was slow and painfully annoying. But I was endowed with relative pitch and a good head for numbers, making it possible to eventually have the information stick. Most of my listening lessons took place at the Lehman Music Company store, who sold mostly classical and contemporary gospel music. After hearing my first Andrae' Crouch and the Disciples' record in 1974, shout out to Mr. Freddie Odom, I visited that store every week for the next five years. I went there so much that they knew me by name. And I wasn't just browsing the bins, I spent most of my disposable income there on any vinyl LP released on Light Records and any sheet music published on Lexicon Music. Thank goodness the music included guitar tabs, or I would have been screwed. The guys who I refer to as my friendly rivals also figured things out musically the same way that I did. But unlike me, they frequented Rainbow Music. Their musical taste leaned toward Southern and Urban gospel, which was Rainbow's forte'. While these stores were neighborhood institutions, neither one of them is still around. I just learned that Rainbow closed its doors for good in 2002. Lehman has also gone out of business, although I haven't been able to find out when. Now that's sad, because today's young musicians could benefit from their existence. Mike was fortunate in that he got a world-class music education. Starting with private piano lessons during his childhood, he went on to attend Music and Art High School, now known as the High School for the Performing Arts. His teen years were also supplemented with private lessons on double bass. Mike then earned his degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. While those entities provided a fantastic foundation in scales, modes, arpeggios, and concertos, it was what he learned in the streets and bandstands that made him the accomplished musician he is today. Mike also learned a lot by listening. When he was still living in New York City, his record store of choice was J&R Music World. In fact, when I decided that it was finally time to expand my limited musical palette, Mike suggested I check out J&R. And I wasn't disappointed. Unfortunately, as with the two record stores I mentioned previously, J&R is no longer in business. For them, the end came in 2014. That was around the time when digital sales, such as downloads and streaming, began outpacing physical sales, such as CDs and vinyl. Which brings me back to the opening section of this episode. As I said, Celia and I were stunned when a local worship leader admitted to us me that she couldn't sing harmony. I was confused because I just finished listening to one of their sets. The songs were so easy that everyone in my peer group, friends and rivals alike, could have picked out four-part harmony totally on the fly. There are a number of reasons for this growing trend, and I've discussed some of them on past episodes. Today's reason is that, like in the schools, music education in many churches leaves a lot to be desired. Or better yet, are their shortcomings finally getting exposed? I think I'll go with the latter. In the best of times, churches only have access to the talent for a few hours per week. And while that's enough time to teach them the songs they'll perform during service, there's not much time for anything else. Also, you can tell that the musicians don't seem to put in the time to listen to other styles of music. There's also the preferred genre of music they're using these days. All you need is a person on acoustic guitar who can play four chords, carry a tune, and read the lyrics from the screen to be able to pull it off. Even I can do that, minus the four chords on acoustic guitar. Or anything on guitar. Another problem is that church attendance is no doubt in decline. Surveys point to the political overtones that have crept into both the pews and the pulpits across the country. A number of churches have started the process formally dislodging themselves from their governing denominations. It's a mess, but that's humans for you. I'm convinced that the lack of care put in musical presentation plays a much larger role in the church's woes than we admit. While true that tastes are subjective, a large number of potential congregants find the new music boring. Personally, I don't mind listening to, or even playing the styles that are popular today, as long as I can spice up the arrangements. A little seasoning goes a long way. Some people point to the decline of the choir. Various reasons for the decline have been cited, including the money and time it takes to assemble a good choir, a lack of participation and interest, a lack of leadership, and a desire to connect with younger audiences through other sorts of music. The music my brother and I heard on the way to choir rehearsals had a profound impact on who we became as musicians. But I would be remiss if I didn't credit the choir for instilling a sense of discipline and teamwork. Stage fright wasn't a concern since we performed in front of large crowds from a very early age. Parting Shots To end this episode, I'd like to read a portion of a review of Mike's latest CD, “Enjoying the View”, that was written by journalist Eugene Holly, Jr.: “One of the new releases I’m digging now is “Enjoying the View” by the New York-born, Eastman-trained, Philadelphia area-based bassist Mike Boone: an African American who grew up in Spanish Harlem, enjoying the aural salsa, funk, jazz and R&B “views” he heard in El Barrio.” Mr. Holly goes on to write that “... Mike’s basslines provide the magic carpet for all of the CD’s musical genres to fly on, from Frank Emilio Flynn's Afro-Cuban classic “Sanduga,” and Pee Wee Ellis’ funky number “The Chicken,” to Boone’s Nuyorican versions of Stevie Wonder’s “Lately,” Benny Golson’s “Killer Joe,” and a clave-coded reimagination of the George Benson hit “Give Me the Night.” And for my two cents, my personal favorite track is the gospel-influenced title track, simply named “The View”. The salsa influenced ballad features some of the most gorgeous background vocal parts, all sung by Antonio McClendon, the father of Grammy Award winner Samara Joy. Listening to Mike's CD reminds me of those weekly trips from my in East Harlem apartment to choir rehearsal back in the 1960s and 1970s. While the religion of my youth frowned upon partaking in secular activities on our day of worship, the road to and from church was lined with the real spiritual food we needed to get us through life in the concrete jungle we knew as home. Today's Quote “Music kept me off the streets and out of trouble and gave me something that was mine that no one could take away from me.” Eddie Van Halen – American Guitar Legend
By: Kenneth E. Boone, Sr.
“When an opportunist sees that the world is going to the dogs, he starts selling dog food.” Is that behavior really something we should be applauding? Sure, they'll get rich. But they'll still be screwed up human beings. Call me naive, but that is just not cool. Today, I think I'll attempt to record a short rant about entities and institutions that were created to provide protective services to the public. Now I'm not saying they should do their thing free of charge, but they shouldn't be allowed to take avantage of us in our time of need. Before I commence to bashing, let me start this rant by giving a shout out to a company who surprisingly got it right. And what I mean by getting it right is that they exceeded my expectations. And they are Toontracks Software, creators of the of EZdrummer 2 and EZmix 2 recording applications. As you may know, I've been using a 12-year-old HP ProBook 6550b laptop to record this podcast. Lately, it has been showing signs of aging. Everything from keys sticking to the damn thing shutting off, it's letting me know that, although it will hang in there for as long as it can, I need to start shopping for another computer. Fact of the matter is I do have another computer, my trusty ASUS laptop. It was the one I used when I started this podcast. I gave it to Celia when her laptop died. She has now decided to buy a new one and return mine back to me. My ASUS was in tiptop shape, with the exception of some Ezmix 2 plugins not able to run on it. And they just happen to be the ones I need to make this show sound halfway decent. You might have noticed that the sound quality on the last few episodes was just a little off, and I apologize for that. In doing my research as to how I could remedy that problem, I read a lot of complaints about the customer service, or lack thereof. One of the complaints was that they were hard to reach. Another complaint was that they never took responsibity for any errors. And a third complaint was that if one could prove that the problem was on Toontracks' end, it would still take an eternity for them to resolve the issues. Well, to my delight, when I emailed them with my dilemma, Toontracks got back to me in less than an hour. In their response, they apologized for any inconvenience they may have caused. They then said that it would take between three and five business days to fix the problem. I was thrilled when they fixed it in less than five hours! I wish that more companies exceeded my expectations like Toontracks did. But that's not how the world works. While I find some company's service-related shortcomings slightly annoying, I find others downright infuriating. Take Norton Securities as a company that falls in the former bucket. While their computer protection products are typically excellent, I find their mercenary approach to offering some of those products insulting. This is especially true after they have you run their recommended Smart Scans. How many of you have run one of those scans? When the scan is done, you will get, what you think, is a clean bill of health. You have no viruses, but there are some funny little things going on behind the scenes, like data brokers tracking your activity. Norton tells you that they will gladly take care of those problems for you, for a modest fee. More often than not, you get pissed off and ignore their pitch. Or how about when they bombard you with pop ups about the little gremlins who are still watching you. This time, they will protect you on a free 90-day trial period. I found that the scare tactics and solicitations ramped up the day I turned age 65. My typical response to them is that they should price the premium products into their regular plans. Since what you get is really good, a person would be more inclined to pay a little more for the extra coverage. I find their piece meal upselling approach quite annoying. You've heard me talk endlessly about the good and bad of the healthcare industry, in particular hospitals. While it's true that when it comes to providing care, they in fact do no harm. But today's rant focuses on their lack of consideration when it comes to the person, or entity who is liable to pay the bills. You heard me carp about the ambulance ride they insisted on me taking from the ER at the Huntersville location to the University City location back in September 2019. I'm still bitching because we could have driven the 16.5 miles and saved $1,900. Although my blood pressure was quite high, I wasn't in cardiac arrest. And Celia was driving. And you heard me griping about the extra day they kept me in the hospital because my hemoglobin was low back in December 2022. I don't even know how much they billed me for the extra day, when all they had to do was prescribe a 30 day supply of iron pills and order a week of bed rest. In recent episodes, you heard me complain about my new cardiologist ordering an EKG as well as a stress test to ensure that there are no blockages of my arteries. There are no blockages, it's just that my new doctor wants to have a set of results of tests that he ordered for his files. That sounds less medical and more administrative to me. And while I'm in full complaint mode, I would be remiss if I didn't bring up my longtime adverse relationship with Jiffy Lube. For the past quarter century, I would reluctantly take my cars to Jiffy Lube when I couldn't get to my regular mechanics. And regardless of what state I was living in at the time, I always encountered the same BS. I think you know where I'm going with this. I would request the basic oil change and lube. If the car was old, I had no problem paying extra for the high mileage oil. About halfway through, a guy covered in motor oil would emerge from the back carrying a small vial filled with dirty water. He would tell you that you need to have your transmission fluid changed, which would cost anywhere between $80 and $250. Or, if you look gullible enough, he would urge you to go for a transmission flush, which would run anywhere from $125 to $250. I'm almost ashamed to admit that they got me on that scam the first time I went to a Jiffy Lube. Please be advised that they are not the only express oil change outfit that runs that game on customers who aren't familiar with the workings of a car. Now you would think that these people graduated from the P.T. Barnum School of Business Ethics. But what they do is a textbook, generally accepted business practice. When I was in college, I took Introduction to Economics. One of the earliest lessons we learned was about how you get your head around moral dilemmas. The professor laid out a scenario in which a pharmaceutical company that you own developed a magic pill that would cure a deadly disease with just one dose. At the time the pill was developed, there were about one thousand individuals who have been diagnosed with that disease. The moral dilemma is, should you manufacture and distribute the pill to the one thousand patients and nip it in the bud? Or do you wait for the number of cases to rise to one million patients? By waiting, you get to make back the money you spent on Research and Development. You will also be able to make a profit that allows you to hopefully develop more life-saving medicines? See the issue? The name of the game is "profit maximization". Whether it is computer protection, or medical care, or oil changes, or magic miracle cures, most businesses are on a mission to separate you from as much money as they possibly can. And they pursue that end with little or no concern as to whether you can afford what they're selling. Parting Shots Now that I got all of those complaints off my chest and out of my system, I would be remiss if I didn't tell you how I've learned to deal with all of those assaults on my budget. One of the first tactics they use is them trying to scare you. Bad things will happen to your computer, to your health, or to your car if you don't buy what they're selling. Next, they will try to convince you that they're being persistant because they care about you. If all else fails, they may offer to hook you up with a special discount for only you. That's when you have your opening to end the conversation. My response is so simple that I'm surprised that more people don't try it. I clear my throat, then honestlty suggest to them that I can't afford what they're selling. Before they can respond with another tactic, I clear my throat again, raise the volume of my voice a few decibles, and tell them that the only way they are closing the deal is if they are giving the product or service away for free. That almost always works. Now let me make myself clear. The entities I griped about in this episode are not con artists. They are performing legitimate business fuctions. What gets me angry is that they are constantly trying to upsell the consumer. I feel as though they think that the customer is so gullible that they can be talked into purchasing anything, as long as the alternative to not purchasing that item is gloom and doom. I find those tactics highly offensive and wish they would stop treating us like patsies! Today's Quote “Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, 'What's in it for me.'” Anonymous |
About the HostKenneth E. Boone, Sr. is a writer, podcaster, music lover, sports enthusiast, and retired accountant. Archives
May 2024
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