Sunday, July 27, 2025

Don't do drugs

 

Do you remember the commercials that basically said 'Don't Do Drugs' ? 

Anti-drug commercials, especially from the 1980s and 1990s, are iconic for their bold, often dramatic approaches to deter drug use. The most famous is the "This Is Your Brain on Drugs" PSA from 1987 by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, where an egg (your brain) is cracked into a frying pan (drugs) to show how drugs "fry" your mind. A 1997 version featured Rachael Leigh Cook smashing a kitchen to emphasize the chaos drugs bring. These ads were simple but memorable, with the tagline "Any questions?" becoming a cultural staple, even parodied in shows like The Simpsons and Robot Chicken. 

Nancy Reagan’s "Just Say No" campaign in the 1980s also shaped many PSAs, urging kids to reject drugs outright. Celebrities like Pee-wee Herman, who warned against crack, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, who called drug dealers “dorks,” starred in quirky ads aimed at youth. Some, like Mr. T’s anti-drug rants or Michael Jordan’s pep talks, used star power to drive the message home.

Other ads took a darker turn, using scare tactics. For example, a 1988 PSA showed a girl named Linda in a drug-induced spiral, while a Montana Meth Project ad from 2006 depicted teens promising to “try meth once” only to face grim consequences. Some, like a PSA showing a rat overdosing on crack, were criticized for being too graphic.

While memorable, studies suggest these PSAs often didn’t change behavior. Scare tactics could backfire, making drugs seem like "forbidden fruit" to curious teens, and simplistic messages like "Just Say No" ignored complex social pressures. A 2016 federal review found scare-based ads ineffective, with campaigns showing drug-free teens as independent more likely to resonate.

Every day, I get a 'Daily Horoscope' reading. 

A horoscope is a forecast or interpretation of a person's future based on the positions of celestial bodies like stars and planets at a specific time, usually their birth. It’s rooted in astrology, which divides the sky into twelve zodiac signs, each tied to specific personality traits and life events. A horoscope typically offers predictions or advice for a person’s day, week, or month, based on their zodiac sign (e.g., Aries, Taurus, etc.), determined by their birth date. 

For example, a horoscope might say, "Leo, today you’ll feel confident and creative, but avoid impulsive decisions." It’s often found in newspapers, magazines, or online, tailored to each sign. While some view it as a fun guide, others see it as a spiritual or psychological tool, though there’s no scientific evidence supporting its accuracy. It’s more about belief and perspective than fact.

I don't remember how many years ago I signed up via email to get a daily horoscope. And, I don't remember the last time I actually read it - but it still shows up in my inbox. Every. Day. I read mine today for the first time in a long time. I actually read my 'personalized horoscope' today, for first time in months. I admit it, I got a little jolt of dopamine. A drug. 

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger in the brain that plays a key role in how we feel pleasure, motivation, and reward. It’s released when you do something enjoyable—like eating, exercising, or achieving a goal—creating a sense of satisfaction that drives you to repeat the behavior. It also helps regulate movement, attention, and emotional responses.

Think of it like the brain’s "feel-good" signal. For example, when you get a notification on your phone, the little rush you feel is dopamine at work. It’s produced in areas like the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra and travels along neural pathways. Too little dopamine can lead to issues like depression or Parkinson’s disease (affecting movement), while too much is linked to conditions like schizophrenia or addiction.

It’s not just about pleasure—dopamine also sharpens focus and boosts drive, like when you’re “in the zone” working on something you love. It’s a crucial part of the brain’s reward system, but it doesn’t act alone; it interacts with other neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine.

Where are you going with this Tom? Land the plane.......

Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" campaign was a prominent part of the Reagan administration's War on Drugs, aiming to prevent youth drug use through abstinence-focused messaging. While it did raise public awareness of drug abuse and sparked a national conversation about prevention, research and expert opinion largely conclude that the campaign itself was ineffective and ultimately failed in its primary goal of reducing drug use among teens. 

Here's a breakdown of the campaign and its criticisms, and why it FAILED:

Focus on abstinence and D.A.R.E. program: The campaign emphasized "just saying no" to drugs and supported programs like the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.), which involved police officers lecturing students on the dangers of drugs.

Criticism of the simplistic message: Critics argued that the "Just Say No" slogan oversimplified the complex issues surrounding drug addiction, failing to address underlying factors like socioeconomic conditions and mental health challenges that contribute to substance abuse.

Ineffectiveness at reducing drug use: Studies have shown that participation in D.A.R.E. programs had little or no impact on drug use rates, and in some cases, may have even backfired, leading to an increased likelihood of experimenting with substances.

Stigma and mass incarceration: The campaign and the broader War on Drugs have been criticized for contributing to the stigma surrounding drug users, portraying them as criminals rather than individuals struggling with addiction. The associated policies, such as the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, led to increased incarceration rates, particularly affecting minority communities due to sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine.

Failure to address evolving drug landscape: The campaign primarily focused on illegal street drugs and failed to address the emerging issue of prescription drug abuse, which would become a major problem in later years. See Fentanyl and 'the border' in 2016, 2024. 

In summary: While the "Just Say No" campaign raised awareness about drug abuse and Nancy Reagan played a significant role in promoting the message, its simplistic approach and reliance on abstinence-only education proved ineffective. The campaign's legacy is further complicated by its association with policies that led to increased incarceration and disproportionately affected minority communities. 

Tom???

Here we are in 2025. I'm still getting a Daily Horoscope, every single day. It's a drug. Fox News... a drug. Red Hats with Make America Great Again slogans....guess what: that's a drug too. Big time.

The "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) slogan, popularized by Donald Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign, resonated for several reasons, grounded in historical context, psychological appeal, and political strategy. Here's a breakdown of why it worked:

Nostalgia and Emotional Appeal: The slogan tapped into a sense of nostalgia for a perceived "better" past, often idealized as a time of economic prosperity, cultural homogeneity, or global dominance. For many, it evoked feelings of pride and a desire to restore what they felt was lost due to globalization, immigration, or cultural shifts. Nostalgia is a powerful emotional trigger, as it simplifies complex issues into a yearning for a familiar, glorified era. (I say nostalgia is a dopamine trigger). 

Simplicity and Memorability: The phrase is short, catchy, and easy to chant or display on hats, signs, and social media. Its simplicity made it a versatile rallying cry that could mean different things to different people—whether economic recovery, cultural restoration, or political dominance—without requiring detailed explanation.

Anti-Establishment Sentiment: By 2016, distrust in institutions like government, media, and elites was high. The slogan implicitly criticized the status quo, suggesting America had fallen from greatness due to failed leadership. It positioned Trump as an outsider promising to disrupt a broken system, appealing to voters frustrated with career politicians.

Broad Interpretability: "Great Again" was vague enough to project individual hopes onto it. For some, it meant manufacturing jobs; for others, traditional values or national pride. This flexibility allowed diverse groups—blue-collar workers, evangelicals, small business owners—to unite under one banner without needing policy specifics. Drugs for everyone!

Cultural and Economic Context: The slogan capitalized on real economic anxieties—stagnant wages, job losses in manufacturing, and rural decline—while also addressing cultural fears about immigration and changing demographics. It framed these issues as a decline from a golden age, offering a simple solution: restoration through strong leadership.

Effective Branding and Repetition: Trump’s campaign leveraged the slogan (drug) relentlessly across rallies, merchandise, and media. The iconic red MAGA hat became a cultural symbol, amplifying visibility. Its repetition created a sense of unity and momentum among supporters, reinforced by social media echo chambers. Drugs, everywhere. 

Polarization and Identity: The slogan doubled as a dividing line, signaling loyalty to a movement. It wasn’t just a policy promise but an identity marker, creating an "us vs. them" dynamic that energized supporters and provoked opponents, keeping it in the public eye.

Posts on X reflect ongoing debates about the slogan’s impact, with some users praising its unifying patriotism and others critiquing its divisive undertones or vague promises. Data from the 2016 election shows Trump’s campaign resonated in regions hit hard by economic decline, like the Rust Belt, where the slogan's promise of renewal struck a chord (e.g., winning key swing states like Ohio and Pennsylvania).

In short, MAGA (the drug) worked because it was emotionally charged, adaptable, and perfectly timed for a moment of widespread discontent, turning a simple phrase into a cultural and political juggernaut.

We worried that 'drugs' would take down America. Wow. We were all worried about Fentanyl, we should have been even more worried about dopamine. That is the most dangerous drug of all. 

"Make America Great Again" hats could double in price after new U.S. tariffs.

Sunday, July 13, 2025

Need a boost?

A "boost" can have different meanings depending on the context. Here are the most common interpretations:

  • General Definition: A boost is an act of increasing or improving something, like giving a push or enhancement. For example, boosting confidence means increasing someone’s self-esteem.
  • Social Media (e.g., X): On platforms like X, a boost refers to reposting or promoting someone else’s post to increase its visibility. It’s similar to a retweet but may carry a different connotation depending on the platform’s terminology. For example, boosting a post amplifies its reach to your followers.
  • Technology/Gaming: In tech or gaming, a boost often refers to a temporary increase in performance or power. For instance:
  • Boost in Computing: Overclocking a CPU or GPU to enhance performance (e.g., Intel Turbo Boost).
  • Gaming: A power-up or temporary advantage, like a speed boost in a racing game.
  • Marketing/Advertising: A boost can refer to paid promotion, like “boosting” a post on social media platforms (e.g., Facebook or Instagram) to reach a larger audience through targeted ads.
  • Slang: In casual language, “boost” can mean stealing (e.g., shoplifting or carjacking, as in “they boosted a car”) or giving someone a lift, either physically or emotionally.
I am a beta tester of the LinkedIn 'Boost' feature, and I can say right now, today.... it's nuts. 

There are 1B+ professionals on LinkedIn and millions of the use LinkedIn Learning. If you remember Lynda.com was one of the first 'distance learning' platforms. In April 9, 2015 LinkedIn announced its intentions to buy Lynda.com in a deal worth $1.5B. And then in 2016, Microsoft bought LinkedIn for $26.2B, being their largest acquisition at the time. 94% of business-to-business marketers since 2017 use LinkedIn to distribute their content. 

So, sometimes (not all the time) I spend the money.... to 'Boost' a post. LinkedIn will use its algorithm to figure out if the post is 'boost worthy'. It will come back and say that 'for this much money, you can reach this many more people' and these are people that are the ICP or ideal client persona for THAT topic. 

So here is the super secret hack that I am sharing with you today. I think we have cracked the code on 'boosting' on LinkedIn as in the 6th bullet that I have listed on the top of this page. It seems that we have figured out a way to boost the boost - of a boost

LinkedIn is a BUSINESS platform. Not like Facebook or Instagram, it is really designed for business. The odd little 'this belongs on Facebook' post does sneak in from time to time, but for the majority of the time, it's all about BUSINESS. And, when someone is promoting a book - the algorithm can then identify the ICP for that book's audience - who are by default, also in business. 

Now sometimes the post is not boost-able. Like, I would love, LoVe, LOVE to be able to boost a post regarding Zoom. But the folks at LinkedIn think that would be piggy. Ah, but books seem to work like magic. When the good folks at FortierPR.com have a new book to launch, I usually get the call. Our CoffeeInTheClouds.us (aka ZoomTalks.us) fireside chat interviews reach millions of people living all around the world. And during our virtual book signing events, we usually give the new books away for FREE to our paid members. So it makes perfect sense that promoting a new book via our millions of Distance Learning Association members would 'boost' book sales. 

If a post is boost-able, the algorithm finds folks in the 1B+ user universe of LinkedIn who are an ICP (Ideal Client Persona) for THAT book. It could be a book on LEADERSHIP. Or a book on TELEMEDICINE. Or a book on ECOMMERCE, or CYBERSECURITY or anything. So, boosting (promoting) books (paper or Audible.com) via LinkedIn is great. 

Ah but doing it via our (now) Global Distance Learning Association - and giving the books away for FREE (we credit the DLA members $25 / one month membership fees) is again......nuts. We are boosting the boosts! And if the LinkedIn user is not yet a member of the association, they should join and get the book that they clearly told us they wanted to read.....for free. (Again, we give a $25 credit). I guess we are really 'reimbursing' the member for their purchase. Anyway....

Our ZoomTalks.us video podcast interviews are PoweredByZoom.com so even though LinkedIn does not allow us to boost 'Zoom' posts specifically, I think we found a work-around. And so...

If you have a product | service | book | course that you would like 'boosted' to the 1B+ professionals on LinkedIn, we should chat. We might not be able to boost the boost OF THE BOOST...

Maybe I'll just blog on it. That seems to be working pretty good too. 



DrZoom.us wants you to GetZoom.us 




Sunday, July 6, 2025

Uber Frustrating

 




Thanks, Intuit! You guys are the best. I was not expecting you to pick up lunch...


Oh, instructions? OK, fine. 


Well that 'next step' was pretty easy! I don't have to do anything.....time to eat!


And so it begins. The voucher was not automatically added to my account. And the 'BOGO' (buy one, get one FREE) spiff on the order was not applied. And now I am sending screen shots, forwarding emails, spending time chasing down $25. Actually more than $25 since I did not get my damn BOGO!

Wait, when did I become a grumpy old man? Am I really going to spend MY TIME chasing down my credit? Am I really going to be like a dog with a bone.... refusing to let go?

Yes. Yes I am. But not for the reasons you might think.

Intuit spent thousands of dollars on that Virtual Event. I am an Intuit Partner. Do they realize that their 'good will' gesture that they spent money on has now created the opposite effect? A positive has been flipped into a negative. I was not expecting $25. Cool! Nice! Thanks, Intuit! You guys rock....

What started out as a simple click on Customer Service: Hey, Uber. I did not get my credit. Oh, and by the way, the BOGO deal did not apply either. Total charge was around $33. Please give me my credit. Thanks! 

Now I am fighting with an AI robot in Customer Service. At least I am hoping that I am fighting with an AI robot, because if this is real human, we are all doomed. 

I learned a lesson many years ago from a mentor. They told me that for every letter that someone writes to Customer Service, there are at least 100 others who wrote the letter, but did not have a stamp. In other words, for every Complaint, there are many who are just as mad, just as upset, but they just never mailed the letter. Or there are THOUSANDS who are very upset, but they did not take the time to complain. Or, they made an initial complaint, but as soon as they started getting the run-a-round they just said to themselves 'it is not worth it' and they just moved on. But they did not really move on. Not really.

Trust me, they will remember. This incident made me review EVERYTHING. Hey Intuit, why the tiny window to use the voucher? What if I did not check this email SAME DAY? I would have had a gift that expired, FAST. How was THAT going to make me feel? Why flip a positive into a negative? 

Hey Uber. I am not going away. I am going to keep chatting with your damn AI bot in Customer Service until they wave the white flag. I am going to escalate this. I will keep asking to speak with a Supervisor. And then their boss, and then THEIR boss. I want my damn $25 and I want my BOGO. And you should be paying attention, because for every one of 'me' out there, there are 100 (or 1,000+) who are just as pissed, just as frustrated. But they just threw their hands up and said, screw it. 

But they will never forget...... heck, they might even Blog on it one day......


And today:

Now I'll share my Sunday Blog ThomasCapone.com with the leadership of Intuit and Uber. Yeah, I guess I turned into a grumpy old man.....but one with a blog and 1M+ followers across all Social Media.  [ class dismissed ]

**** Update! Uber Eats refunded my $25 - and they also gave me a 40% off coupon for my next Uber Groceries order. I'm thinking a dozen Lobsters from Kings in Boonton NJ...