If it is Flooded - Forget It

‘If it is flooded, forget it!’ - This very successful advertising campaign is conducted every summer with the onset of the wet season. This campaign tells us to never assume anything. Do not assume the depth of the water. Do not assume the height and power of your car. Do not assume the strength of current. Do not assume your level of intelligence.

This is certainly fair comment. We should not assume that conditions at any one time will be the same as the last time we visited.  It’s also a fair assumption that we should take care, that we should be mindful, even if we feel it is ok, that we could put others in danger. This campaign targets all drivers, both experienced and the not so experienced, as no one sector has the mortgage on stupidity. 

Other media campaigns have targeted many worthwhile causes and prove that these are very powerful tools to change the mindset of society.  We have seen campaigns targeting the use of mobile phones while driving; targeting drivers not leaving children and animals in the car while parked; targeting having each and every passenger, including animals, buckled up and safe. The iconic campaign - ‘Drink and drive, and you’re a bloody idiot’ has been a major success, with drink driving now being socially unacceptable, and truly changing the behavior of a nation.   

 

The government has targeted many areas over the years, from obesity, lifestyle, alcohol, drugs, etc etc.  Cigarette advertising has ceased.  In shops tobacco products are now stored behind closed doors so they are not visible or attractive to the young.  No-one under eighteen is able to buy tobacco or alcohol products. All of these campaigns are valid and, even though tobacco is still glorified along with alcohol in Hollywood movies, the use of tobacco products has certainly declined majorly in recent years. I am not so sure the alcohol consumption message is getting through yet! As people seem to think that someone else is responsible for our behavior these days, these government campaigns will become more intense and attempt to change the way we live our lives. The government will attempt to become our moral compass and change our behavior through media campaigns, rules and regulations, and fees and fines. Is this a good thing? I do not know and I will let you be the judge.

 

However, if you doubt the effectiveness of advertising campaigns, just drive your modest little sedan between the hours of 7 and 9 in the mornings and, again in the hours of 2 and 4 in the afternoon and you will find the media campaigns for 4WDriving has encouraged these drivers to believe that they can do anything. These drivers know all the conditions of the road, whether its flooding or fine weather.  One could say they are bullet proof, and their 4WD’s are designed for the rough conditions that we call school zones. The lady that whips off her belt and beats the snake to death is alive and well, with the 4x4’s, butt whipping those in smaller cars in the school zones. 

Quite often you see them mounting curbs, nosing their way in to lanes, parking wherever they want, intimidating the small cars, and why?  Because the advertising campaigns that the major car manufacturers run, show the captive audience, that these creatures of the off road can do anything. They are big and robus,t and appear to be able to go anywhere. Do we see those manufacturers tagged with the slogan ‘Drive moderately’ as you do with liquor shop advertising.  I don't think so! 

 

How many times do you have to hear your rear cameras going off  to tell you that this off road creature is up your tail and they mean business with that 10 tonne bull bar. I am sure the beeps of the camera are sounding out a warning that I am about to be violated in my derriere. Or, is it screaming, ‘Get over! This bull bar means business!’ After all it can climb mountains, drive through rivers, run along our sandy beaches, and my car is a mere pebble in its way.  

 

Yes, advertising is a great tool and it shows us to be aware, to take care, but it also works on the other side of the pendulum building up an image of self importance and invincibility. God knows how many of these drivers believe these campaigns that they can do anything and don't have to think. This vehicle climbs cliffs, crawls across boulders and flies across the outback so my anxiety level has increased. The tools I have taken from those campaigns shows me there are a few tools behind the giant wheels around me.  

 

I am not jealous of these creatures of the outback but, while in the cities, do they think that they own the roads as well.  Do you see people like me driving across the great outback in my sedan or driving along our pristine beaches?  The answer is, ‘No’. Because the manufacturer of my car did not advertise my car was bullet proof.  Even my parking assist tells me to proceed with care.  When I start it, an ‘accept ‘ sign makes me press, to say I am aware of the navigation system.  Maybe the 4WD’s should have an ‘accept’ that they share  the road with others that are smaller than they are and proceed with care. 

 

These two sides of the pendulum demonstrate just how effective advertising is! Maybe it is time the invincibility of the tool behind the wheel of the 4 wheel drive was tempered, and a few responsibilities of courteous and safe driving practices were highlighted for the owners of these vehicles. The present media representation is delivering the wrong message. I’m sure that if I owned a vehicle like this, treated it the way the advertisements say, my insurance company may have something to say or not pay out. If the manufacturers of these vehicles are not prepared to temper the invincibility of the owners, maybe the government should help to take these fuel guzzling monsters off off the road by taxing them out of existence. Exempt our farmers, mining, and true campers and off roaders but the suburban terrorists need to some incentive to change their behaviour. It has worked with smokers!!!!!!

 

These are my thoughts and I would sure like to have your views on the matter so drop me a line.  Another campaign that is dear to my heart is stopping bullying. However bullying takes on a whole new meaning in school time driving. 

Cheers.

Patience is a Virtue #passwords #disability #privacy

Let's face it, I am not the most patient person in the world.  On a scale of 1-10, I would probably rate at around - hmmm let me think - 2!  However, to cut the queues I follow the protocols of procedure to lesson my angst in waiting.  For instance, in bank accounts I apply, and receive, the relevant ID logins and passwords to enable quick access. Or at least shorten the length of the 'We value our client's and you will be put through to a customer service operator ASAP!" statements, and the endless advertisements, reassuring me that I am in the hands of the Number 1 bank in the land.

These passwords and codes are to guarantee that your privacy, or security, is not breached in anyway. These automated voice banks promise you instant access to your accounts.  They clear the pathways for the operator with whom you finally speak. The operator no longer has to waste even more time mulling over whether you know your Great Aunties maiden name, who had 3 fathers, or the dog, that when they ask its name, you say an affectionate name, not the real thing, and bang, you're passing your toenail clippings down the line for DNA testing, to establish something you thought you had already established, when you logged in with those names and numbers.  

becomeabankteller.com

About 2 weeks ago, I decided as I passed my bank, that I would just go in and ask for a re-issue of a card in both our names as it expires while we are overseas.  To my surprise, the exercise was rather painless! She assured us that the reissued cards would arrive in the mail within 7 working days. 'Great,' we thought, 'I might physically go into the bank more often, as this seemed simpler and more efficient than I had imagined.'  Again, to my surprise in the mail came the new cards in 3 days. On looking at the shiny, new, virginal cards, I glanced at their beauty to see that the expiry date was the same. Thinking of human error, I decided to venture back to my bank rather than that phone call.  Again, quite painless, with the apology for her boss ticking the wrong box! All would be fixed and re-issue would be done again within 7 days.  Yes, in another 4 days, owing to weekend in between, the cards arrived again.  You guessed it - same expiry dates!!!!

On top of this, we decided that same day to do a bank transfer from our app to find, somehow, the limit (of our own money I might add) had been dropped remarkably.  I then ring the internet banking team with the usual protocols in place, ask to speak to a consultant. Then with the round of questions regarding my time of conception, my blood type, and sperm count, I was finally spoken to regarding reissue and the limit allowance.  She, then on looking into my profile, assured me that she would not be able to discuss unless my partner spoke on the phone to verify his existence and, maybe divulge his deceased father's brand of his first bicycle (remember he is Asian.)   I explained that my partner is deaf which would create a problem when speaking on the phone. I reminded her of the 3rd party disclosure we had agreed upon when opening the account in the first place.  After 1 hour and numerous discussions with her supervisors she accepted and assured me our limit had again been raised, along with following her step by step on my iMac to reinstate the original limit.

That night we decided to transfer some funds, only to be rejected again.  Oh bother I thought!!!!!  I rang the bank! After setting in the pass protocols was told that the consultants only work till 7 pm, thank you for your patience, and ring again in the morning after 9 am Eastern Standard Time.  To ease my lack of serenity I did partake in a few medicinal wines for comfort.  Next morning, I rang the bank, and again, was objected to the same scrutiny of privacy as the day before.  With already telling the consultant that this conversation might not be pretty, she accepted, and then advised that the quickest and most efficient way to deal with this was was to transfer my call to the bank who had done the reissue, so they may reissue again, as they would have our true signatures on file.  Two hours later, after being on hold, and listing my credibility and last ten transactions in order for security, I was spoken to by the original manager at the branch who assures me the re-re-reissue would transpire forthwith and the limit would be raised again post haste. Oh, and I forgot, 'Thank you for banking with the Number 1 bank in the land!' script.  

Ok my patience was tested.  I think I actually deserve some bonus queue jumps for it.  The point of the matter is, yes, I believe in national security and that some scammer does not access my account and spend my funds on Taliban subscriptions. But, and its a tough call when you have accounts in both names and singularly you can't access information unless both verify. (Though one had thought that that little password and passcode was the key to our account)  One can only imagine the plight my partner would have been in if I was not around or, he was making the inquiry as the deaf guy he is.  

archive.indianexpress.com

The question I am asking is, can these institutions think past the number crunching, and realize that some people cannot access in the way they propose for full visioned, full hearing, people?  Yes, it is fine to say that there are relay services for those with disabilities. But, can they also realize that we are all human and maybe need some easier methods to communicate.  With us for example, you have one hearing and one non hearing person trying to communicate. Neither can use the same service successfully especially if they are in joint names, without SMS's flying in with approval to speak or SMS's flying in to transfer. These SMS's, I might add, are on the very phone that is attached to the hearing persons ear speaking to the consultant at the time trying to verify himself.  You think I'm confused?? Put yourselves in the disabled person's shoes as they go through the conundrum on a daily basis.  Would it not be kinder to bring back some more personal assistance.  
 
These are my thoughts until next time stay safe, be kind to yourself, and to others, and keep in touch. Until then, I will go to try and transfer some funds, and make new friends, at the land's Number 1 Bank.

Cheers!

Bitchescoz
 
Contact: luke65mcbride@gmail.com

disabilities.uchicago.edu