Hi Readers,
In the past week, I've taken three flights. Even though many people dislike flying, I love the entire process. It is incredible to think about the vast amounts of people and resources that move through our airports, and the entire TSA security apparatus system that is set up to (try and) ensure the safety of the passengers. When I was young, the airport system used to boggle my mind. I didn't understand how this "passport" could get you past these people with these machines, and why you needed it to go to this lobby where people wait around and look bored, before going through some more halls and boarding planes. Airports seemed massive and daunting when I was young; as I grew older, they began to shrank, and now going through an airport is almost second nature. One thing that has changed is the enjoyment of the actual flight itself. On a future post I'll talk about my fear of airplanes when I was young.
Anyways, on every recent flight I've been on, there is always a predictable source of laughter: the Sky Mall magazine. Though I'm pretty sure that most people know what these are, these are basically magazines from which you can buy items while you are on a plane. What makes these funny is the stuff that they sell. There are always predictable items, and the logic behind the items is quite clear.
For example, there are always "spy" items. These always include hidden cameras that you can put around your house (who's coming to your house while you're not there?), hidden microphones which are sound-activated (what are people saying behind your back?), mobile and easy-to-mount GPS tracking systems (where's your spouse's car going while you're not there?), to name a few. These obviously draw on the fear of infidelity on the parts of spouses or friends, from the point of view of a frequent traveler who may not see his/her significant other for long periods of time.
Then there are the "outdoor furniture" items. These are the garden gnomes (...to spice up your garden?), the fake rocks that you can cover other stuff with, fountains, patio furniture, etc. These are funny because they are probably the definition of impulse buys. I wonder how many people actually go on a plane with the intention of buying a set of garden gnomes while they are on the plane.
The "pet" items really rounds out the list of the three most common items that you can find in the Sky Mall magazines. This is stuff like indoor pet fences, pet potty-training material, and various pet furniture. These are probably aimed at the people who have no significant others but have pets instead. So instead of worrying about their spouse cheating on them, they are worried about their pet's comfort while at home all alone.
The interesting thing about the Sky Mall magazine is that a lot of the items in there seemed to be playing from the idea of guilt and mistrust. It does not really seem like a good reason to purchase stuff, but I guess Sky Mall is in it to make money. Besides, there's really nothing that can assuage businessmen who are away from home that they can somehow replace their presence at home with the merchandise. I guess if I ever have to do a lot of traveling during work, my home may pile up with these junk items as well.
-FCDH
In the past week, I've taken three flights. Even though many people dislike flying, I love the entire process. It is incredible to think about the vast amounts of people and resources that move through our airports, and the entire TSA security apparatus system that is set up to (try and) ensure the safety of the passengers. When I was young, the airport system used to boggle my mind. I didn't understand how this "passport" could get you past these people with these machines, and why you needed it to go to this lobby where people wait around and look bored, before going through some more halls and boarding planes. Airports seemed massive and daunting when I was young; as I grew older, they began to shrank, and now going through an airport is almost second nature. One thing that has changed is the enjoyment of the actual flight itself. On a future post I'll talk about my fear of airplanes when I was young.
Anyways, on every recent flight I've been on, there is always a predictable source of laughter: the Sky Mall magazine. Though I'm pretty sure that most people know what these are, these are basically magazines from which you can buy items while you are on a plane. What makes these funny is the stuff that they sell. There are always predictable items, and the logic behind the items is quite clear.
For example, there are always "spy" items. These always include hidden cameras that you can put around your house (who's coming to your house while you're not there?), hidden microphones which are sound-activated (what are people saying behind your back?), mobile and easy-to-mount GPS tracking systems (where's your spouse's car going while you're not there?), to name a few. These obviously draw on the fear of infidelity on the parts of spouses or friends, from the point of view of a frequent traveler who may not see his/her significant other for long periods of time.
Then there are the "outdoor furniture" items. These are the garden gnomes (...to spice up your garden?), the fake rocks that you can cover other stuff with, fountains, patio furniture, etc. These are funny because they are probably the definition of impulse buys. I wonder how many people actually go on a plane with the intention of buying a set of garden gnomes while they are on the plane.
The "pet" items really rounds out the list of the three most common items that you can find in the Sky Mall magazines. This is stuff like indoor pet fences, pet potty-training material, and various pet furniture. These are probably aimed at the people who have no significant others but have pets instead. So instead of worrying about their spouse cheating on them, they are worried about their pet's comfort while at home all alone.
The interesting thing about the Sky Mall magazine is that a lot of the items in there seemed to be playing from the idea of guilt and mistrust. It does not really seem like a good reason to purchase stuff, but I guess Sky Mall is in it to make money. Besides, there's really nothing that can assuage businessmen who are away from home that they can somehow replace their presence at home with the merchandise. I guess if I ever have to do a lot of traveling during work, my home may pile up with these junk items as well.
-FCDH
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