Andy Holtmann of Raving Consulting has a splendid essay on this very topic and the fine line that casinos must walk when playing to people's hopes. It carries particular weight as it's authored by someone who's taken a mighty wallop from the collapse of the housing market — i.e., the sort of customer casinos need to understand when they get frustrated that people aren't spending more. Abrasive slogans like "Shut up and play" aren't going to cut it.
Speaking of excellent writing, Eugene Robinson of the Washington Post waxed eloquent recently on the subject of the nationalization of General Motors. Penned by an obvious car enthusiast (and longtime GM customer), Robinson's think piece is full of wonderful bon mots like, "The roster of Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac may still leave GM with too many brands; I'd have axed Buick, too, and my opinion should count since I'm now one of the company's owners." (Well, at least we're rid of the Hummer.) My thanks to the reader who brought this to my attention — where would I be without you guys?
The infamous Pontiac Aztek.
On the subject of GM, I hold no opinion. However, I did notice that scarcely was the ink dry on the bankruptcy filings than a very slick and expensive-looking commercial explaining the 'new, improved' GM was airing on network TV. It certainly wasn't the sort of thing one whips up on iMovie overnight. Your tax dollars — and mine — at work.
