Santa Claus vs. the Marketers

Jonathan Cohen writes "Hi: Not sure if this is up your alley, but since Slashdot deals with privacy, copyright, and 'piracy' issues, I thought you might be interested...I'll quote my press release: It's Christmas Eve, and Santa Claus is grounded. After Claus Inc. hired a consulting firm in early November to re-brand Santa's image and revamp its business practices, the corporation has been on a downward spiral. The elf workforce has been downsized 70%, Santa's been given shoulder pads to make him look thinner, and even Rudolph's been eliminated for environmental reasons (nose radiation). This is just part of the free short story "Santa Claus vs. the Marketers," an adult fable about contemporary business issues."

Comments

For the first time...

[craenor]

In a long time, I'm working Christmas day. I have what some would call the misfortune (although I like my job) of working Tech Support for Wireless Networking at the largest PC manufacturer.

Yesterday and I'm sure today, I'm being overwhelmed with calls from boys/girls, moms/dads and grads who are setting up their new wireless networks for the first time.

Don't forget the series of College students home for the holidays trying to get their portable with the wireless card setup for school to associate with mom and dads wireless network at home.

I have to admit, that when I first walked in this morning, I was a bit bitter. I considered blaming my day here at work away from my family on every caller. Were it not for them, I wouldn't have to be here.

But you know what? If I just got a wireless network for Christmas to go with my new computer, well, I would want the stupid thing to work too.

So I'm happy to help. Maybe someone's day can be made better by the fact that I can get there new toys all working for them.

To those people calling for older issues though...put down your computer. Watch some TV, relax with your family. Heck, go see a movie.

My daughter asked my why I had to work today...I explained that Santa had a wireless network in his sleigh so he could get mapquest...I had to be at work in case he needed help with it.

Merry Christmas!

Re:DO NOT WORSHIP SANTA CLAUS !

[Zontar The Mindless]

(I'll probably get modded into oblivion for this, but what the heck...)

While we're on the subject of subverting holidays: How about the fact that "Christmas" is the result the early Christian Church rebranding Yule (a.k.a Sunreturn)? They even changed the birthdate of Jesus (which was actually in March so far as anyone can tell for sure). Pine trees -- also co-opted from the Pagans. Santa Claus/Father Christmas -- ditto. Midwinter feasting -- etc., etc. All co-opted by (what was then) the New Order.

My take on the whole business from a Pagan perspective is that the Christians stole our holiday, now they're having it stolen from them in turn by the acolytes of Mammon. As you give, so shall you get. So don't preach at me about "the reason for the season" -- my reasons to celebrate are liable to predate yours by a millenium or more.

That being said, I hope everybody had a nice holiday, whatever you might call it. Here in Brisbane, we tossed a couple of chickens on the barbie, pigged out, and were blessed by some rain late in the afternoon that checked the heat nicely, thanks.

Correct

[Snork Asaurus]

I don't know whether you (thought that you) made the part about the postal code up, but it is factually correct. Canada Post's automated mail sortation equipment recognizes the postal code H0H 0H0, which fits the Canadian postal code A(lpha) N(umeric) "ANA-NAN" format, as a valid code (albeit special for letters to Santa), and sorts accordingly. I was involved in a large IT project for them at the time that this was put into place (no, there was more to the project than that). For the life of me, I can't remember what they do with that mail although I do remember that they don't just dispose of it.

*Happy**Holidays*!