Look, no hands! The driverless future of driving is here

This article on CNN.com asked the question, "Will there be a time in our lives when cars don't crash?" The experts have responded, yes! They are making leaps and bounds on this new technology so that it may be a possibility sooner than we expect. They are working on advances such as vehicle-to-vehicle technology, cars that drive themselves, and cars with the latest and greatest 'high-end' technology. 

Scott Belcher, President and CEO of Intelligent Transportation Society of America, states that, "[vehicle-to-vehicle technology] That's going to be our next major safety advance."  Studies suggest that as many as 81% of "non-impaired" crashes could be avoided through vehicle-to-vehicle communication, which would use a designated part of the radio spectrum that's been set aside by the federal government.

Cars that drive themselves seems like something you would see in an episode of the Jetson's, but in reality, automated cars are close at hand.  "The question is going to be not whether we can do automated vehicles, but how much autonomy we are willing to put up with as a culture. We don't really like to give up control of our vehicles," Belcher stated. There are instances of automated cars already out on the market, a fully automated car although, is going to be dictated by society, not technology. Liability and control issues are going to be the biggest barriers in trying to move forward with this.

What does this all mean? Well, if they make cars that don't crash, then the creation and design of cars will all change.  Right now, we build cars to help you stay safe when you crash, but if you don't crash, do we really need to use all the materials that we currently do? Can you use other materials? I am sure we will soon find out the answer.

How do you feel about a driverless vehicle? Would you be an advocate for this type of technology?

In Response to Molly...

Do you think this gap-toothed phenomenon will soon be a thing of the past? Or will it stick around and make a name for itself?

I cannot say for sure if the "gap-toothed" phenomenon will stick around or quickly fade but I think what it stands for metaphorically is here to stay. I see the gap-tooth as a symbol of individuality but also normality. It helps you to relate more to that model because most of us had gap or crooked teeth at one point or another I'm sure. Having your model or spokesperson seem like a "real" person or the "girl next door" can only help propel ads and campaigns in my opinion. It gives the viewer something to relate to. 

But for those that like the "perfect" models, they can also find peace with the gap-toothed girl. She is different and people like different. Victoria Secret models most of the time have something different about each of them. Calvin Klein, Gucci, Armani all use "different" looking models and its part of what interests you into the product they are trying to sell. It is all a mind game with marketers and who knows if the gap-tooth will stay or fade like other fashion fads. 

Why don't you think fashion marketers have used a more simplistic model type sooner? Do you think sending a more realistic, positive message to viewers is important for marketers?

Apple iPad maker gives China workers a raise.

The top maker of Apple Inc's iPhones and iPads, Foxconn Technology Group, whose factories are under scrutiny over laby practices, has raised wages of it Chinese workers by 16-25 percent from this month alone, this is the third raise since 2010.  In a statement on Friday, Taiwan-based Foxconn said the pay of a junior level worker in Shenzhen, southern China, had risen to 1,800 yuan ($290) per month and could be further raised above 2,200 ($350) yuan if the worker passed a technical exam. Three years ago, the average pay per month was 900 yuan which is equivalent to $143.

This announcement  comes after Apple criticized working conditions at its sprawling chain of suppliers in China. It was said this week that a U.S. non-profit labor group had begun an "unprecedented" inspection of working conditions at its main contract manufacturers. Working practices at Foxconn's huge plants in China came under intense scrutiny in 2010 after a series of suicides among young workers. Last June three workers died in an explosion at a Foxconn plant in Chengdu, western China. 

Last month the New York Times published an investigation into working practices at Apple supplier's plants in China that documented poor health and safety conditions and long working hours. In response, Apple said the Washington D.C.-based Fair Labor Associated would monitor conditions at supplier plants beginning February 14. In an interview with Reuters on February 15, the FLA's president said that conditions at Apple supplier plants in China were far better than those at garment factories or other facilities elsewhere in the country. The last time Foxconn Group raised wages was June 2010, when the pay of its Chinese workers went up by over 30%.

Do you think its admirable that Apple recognized its inappropriate conditions and payment of its workers in China? Do you think they knew about it all along and are just played it off like it was a surprise to them?

In Response to Chris Morin...

How may of you have Keurigs? Do you drink Green Mountain Coffee? 

I do not personally own a Keurig up at school but my parents have one at home! It was given to us as a gift though because my parents refused to buy one because of the price. After using it a few times my parents found it extremely convenient and started using it often. But then after using it constantly they realized that the price of the K-Cups were pricier than just purchasing regular coffee. My parents did not want to give up the convenience and variety that the Keurig had to offer so they compromised, we use the Keurig when we entertain and have people over, this way those that drink decaff vs. regular and flavor vs. plain are all happy. My parents do not personally buy the Green Mountain brand of K-Cups but I enjoy Green Mountain Coffee over other popular brands. I like how Green Mountain is the coffee served here at Keene! It actually might be better if it was not served here because I would not drink it as much!


I have found that I have become a coffee-addict, if I do not drink it and I am up early, I will have a headache all day. Do you think Green Mountain located itself on a college campus more for the purpose of revenues or for advertising?

PepsiCo To Cut 8,700 Jobs...Investing Up To $600 Million In Brands

PepsiCo. Inc. expects to cut 8,700 jobs as part of a plan to save an extra $1.5 billion over the next three years; meanwhile it is pouring money into its brands! They reported an unexpected increase in their fourth-quarter profit but they forecast a 5 percent decline in the 2012 fiscal year earnings as it increases advertising and marketing by $500 million to $600 million.  This million dollar investment will be focused on 12 brands under PepsiCo. Inc. and the focus is to try to improve their performance in North America where is trails behind arch-rival Coca-Cola Co. 


PepsiCo. has stated that the job cuts will occur in 30 countries, and the $1.5 billion extra in savings is in addition to the $1.5 billion they had already planned on saving over that time frame regardless. PepsiCo. has also stated that the president of their Global Beverages Group will be retiring at the end of February.


In your opinion, is cutting this many jobs really necessary to receive this great of an increase in revenues yearly? And will this harsh decision actually propel their products to surpass Coca-Cola products?

In response to Michael Thompson...

They can either lower their prices to that of their competing companies, or they could keep their prices and hope that they get a upper-class market to bring success to Starbucks in India. What do you think would be the best decision they could make to prosper in India?

In my opinion, Starbucks should start their business over in India off with competing prices with the other local coffee shops, this will lure the young and upper-class crowd in from the start. If it's their decision to mark their prices up to what they are in America then that is their choice and either loyal or addicted customers will pay the new price or those that notice the extreme increase will take their business elsewhere. 

Starbucks does serve delicious drinks and pastries but they are not any better than local coffee shops. Starbucks has an elite group of "regulars" and then others that go in to treat themselves or because it is convenient. It is way over priced for the size that you receive and if they charge those prices over in India where they are managing just fine without Starbucks now, I think they will have a hard time being competitive in that market.

Car Companies' getting a jump start on their Super Bowl Commercials...

You would think that commercials planned to air on Super Bowl Sunday would premier during the game right?  Guess that isn't the case any more, the most popular 2012 Super Bowl ads have already spread throughout the internet and have received millions of views on YouTube almost a week before the big game.  These informal views the companies don't pay a cent for versus reported rates for a 30-second clip during the Super Bowl run for about $3.5 million.

Now clearly if these companies are paying to play their commercial during the game then these little previews are not hurting the companies but helping. According to research, pre-releasing commercials actually increases interest in them when watching them during the game's commercial breaks. By either seeing them before and wanting to show them to others, or hearing about them before and then wanting to see it for yourself, you are stimulated to watch again and again. 

For those companies fortunate enough to air an add during the Super Bowl, do you think that the creativity and "flashiness" or the actual message sent to viewers is most important? And are these commercials sometimes overkill or are they appropriate?