I struggle to comprehend how people fail to realize that in today’s society, the likelihood that a camera is watching and recording every indiscreet public moment, is high. Even our homes, our castles, are no longer predator free, considering the abundance of nanny cams, and micro recording devices.
Once we venture beyond the (relative) safety of our abodes, the world becomes a panacea of image capturing technology. Whether it’s CCTV cameras monitored by the dull, listless eyes of a municipal employee, a visit to the Mall, Casino, or the corner shop, surveillance cameras are prevalent, sophisticated enough they can spot head lice from a hundred yards.
But hardwired cameras are the tip of the iceberg. Considering we’re now living in a world where more people own a mobile device than a toothbrush, it’s the ever vigilant, ‘always looking for their chance at YouTube fandom‘ types, you have to worry about.
Unexpected public displays, a behavioral indiscretion, a wardrobe malfunction, all fair game for these amateur filmmakers looking to make their mark. And, if it should happen, and you find a sea of Samsungs and IPhones pointing in your direction, you can be sure that by the time you extricate yourself from the situation, dust yourself off, someone somewhere, is already clicking ‘share’.
Welcome to your 2 minutes of fame.
Why individuals, companies, employers, continue to forget this basic rule I’ll never quite understand. I admit there are some who believe that going viral for any reason, good, bad or vulgar, is a worthy pursuit, however that’s catering to the belief that there is no such thing as bad publicity.
But there is.
Just ask the CEO of United Airlines.
And if that doesn’t convince you, check out a few images of ‘Walmart shoppers’ online, and then come back and talk to me.
The proliferation of recording devices in society is a blessing and a curse, often dependent on which side of the lens you’re on. The key is to behave accordingly, treat people well, and with that, the likelihood of an indiscreet moment going viral, at your expense, will be low. With a bit of luck, the only viral outbreak you’ll ever have to contend with will be a short, swift battle with influenza.
The list below is intended to garner a smile, and nothing more. The Internet is awash with United Airlines memes, I selected a few of my favorites. I don’t mean to demonize United, they’re already paying a significant price, and regardless of the public outrage, I understand, more than most, that there are two sides to every tale, video evidence or not.
Having said that, here are a few ‘New and Improved’ slogans, for United Airlines, in the wake of recent events.
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We treat you like we treat your luggage.
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We put the hospital in hospitality.
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Fly the friendly skies. Except you. Yeah, you, get the f*ck out.
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We can re-accommodate you the easy way or the hard way.
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We have an offer you can’t refuse.
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Please return the passenger next to you to the upright position.
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Until next time,
“Thank you for sliding on United” 🙂
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Cheers!
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This was great, Mike! While I understand social media can be helpful, it is also a virus. You are correct, cameras are everywhere. Every indiscretion is captured. I am so glad they didn’t have this plethora of electronics back in the 80s.
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I’d be unemployable I think, if some of things I did in my late teens and early twenties was captured on film. Cheers Susan!
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Me too, Mike. Yeah, me too. I remember a certain incident at a Sheraton Inn, thank God no cameras. That would have been virally scary. LOL. Cheers.
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Although I feel for all parties in this situation, I must say I am getting some pretty good chuckles at the memes myself.
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I would certainly put up with a little roughhousing and a bloody nose if I knew there was a multi million dollar payday at the end of it. Just unlucky I guess. Cheers!
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they were all good but the last one was outstanding ,cracked me up u know 😊☺😊
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Yup, that one was the best!
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Brilliant! I’m laughing into my pancakes. Taking a flight later today, not United I hasten to add but Ryanair so we might be expected to fly the thing! 😂😂😂
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I just booked a flight yesterday, first time trying a new discount airline at our local airport. Fingers crossed! Cheers, Lizzie!
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Cameras are cheap and as such are everywhere. Every teenager wants to be a YouTube star and basically make money from no effort.
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The day we started sending each other photos of our restaurant meals, life changed forever. Cheers!
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Anyone else old enough to remember United’s old slogan? “Fly the friendly skies…..of United!” I guess that’s not part of the company mantra anymore. Now it’s all about maximizing profits above all else. It’s mind boggling that customer satisfaction has dropped so far off their radar screen.
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In Canada, there is so little competition between airlines, the cost to fly for the average traveller is outrageous. Yesterday I was looking to book a 2 hr return flight to Halifax Nova Scotia in Sept, average price from both Air Canada and WestJet, $630, and that price includes NO LUGGAGE. I have very little sympathy for airlines these days. Cheers Heidi, thanks for visiting!
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Great post, Mike! Yeah, naive enough to think everyone has switched off their phones just because they have boarded. Lol! Back in the old days, we did our best to do what’s right because we know God is watching. These days, the cameras everywhere are watching. There are some moments to be proud off and I’ll even share videos with me on but it is best to know how to distinguish good publicity from bad publicity. I agree, bad publicity does exist.
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You’d think people would behave better and be nicer to one another considering everything’s recorded, but unfortunately that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Cheers Anne, thanks for visiting!
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Cheeky and audacious? Strange? Then again, life would be boring if we were all good. 😂
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Wish we were all nice whether a camera was around or not. Great post my man!
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Thanks Don, I agree, that would be the ideal. We keep heading in this direction and pretty soon there will be nothing left captured on video that surprises anyone, except genuine acts of kindness. Cheers, thanks for the visit my friend!
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what a good post ~
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Cheers, thank you!
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My favorite: “We put the hospital in hospitality.”
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So many, it was hard to limit it to a handful. Cheers!
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nice
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Thank you!
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United–where you can not only get red-eye flights but black- eye, too!
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Wonderful!
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