Keepin It Brief

“Lululemon ditches tag touting benefits” – Vancouver based yoga wear promoter has agreed to cover up claims that their seaweed fibre clothes – VitaSea – provide health benefits including anti-inflammation, detoxification, and anti-bacterial properties.

My 2 Thoughts: This claim amounts to nothing more then watching infomercials on late night television. Wearing copper bracelets or Dr. Ho’s Massage System will appeal to some, but are we that gullible to think simply wearing a shirt (with properties no more distinct then cotton) is going to magically absorb vital nutrients and minerals into the skin. The health industry (salons and spas) make millions on these claims where they wrap you in seaweed for an hour to provide similar benefit. The difference with Lululemon is that it is a public company (traded publicly in the open market) and therefore is held to a higher standard then a private entity like you local salon. I personally enjoy the clothing as it is quite comfortable, but Lululemon is definitely capitalizing on the eco-sensitive crowd who is paying dearly for it. Therefore, if claims are being made it is as much buyer beware as it is the companies responsibility to provide accurate information of its products.

“October video games sales up 73%” – The Nintendo Wii has regained top spot in the US as the #1 selling console, however, Microsoft’s claims that their console (Xbox 360) has higher software sales (games) then either the Wii and PS3 combined.

My 2 Thoughts: I have a Wii. I purchased it because of my interest in the same technology that is used in cruise missiles (Wii remotes have wireless infrared sensors similar to technology used in guidance systems for missiles used in the military). I also bought the Wii because of price point. Futureshop has the consoles listed at the following prices: PS3 - $399.99 - $499.99, Xbox 360 - $299 - $499, and Wii - $269.99. Gaming consoles are classified as entertainment, so I asked myself what this entertainment was worth to me. I am not a hardcore gamer, I don’t play everyday (only when friends are over), and will rent the occasional game versus buy. For me the Wii was a hands down winner. Microsoft’s claim may be true but this is only because the console it self comes with nothing. The Wii comes with a sports package including introductions to games like tennis, boxing, bowling, baseball, and golf. I am only now getting the itch to buy another game to supplement my system. If your console comes with nothing, of course you are either going for a bundle package or supplementing games to your purchase.

“Wade – Shaq needs to step up” – The Miami Heat are in a 1-7 slump and Wade believes that Shaq needs to be more self-motivated if they are to turn the team around.

My 2 Thoughts: Dwayne Wade is a great player although his longevity in the league will be questioned given how hard he plays and the stress on his body. Nonetheless, Wade should not turn this into another Shaq-Kobe war where fruitless comments to the media that start to tear the two Heat stars apart. With more drama then Desperate Housewives, we all remember the Shaq-Kobe relationship that lead to the eventual departure of O’Neil from the Lakers. Kobe claiming Shaq was “less than manly” for sitting out with a toe injury, and Shaq claiming that his team “Lakers” would do better without the whiny comments from the second in command. Shaq is getting old, so his role has to naturally shift from that of a points leader to a role player helping to develop the talent on the bench. Career stats show a peak in 99-00 season and a steady decline since then moving from an average of 29 PPG (points per game average) to 14 PPG in the current season. If the Heat is to turnaround their losing streak, look to the bench to contribute versus putting the emphasis on the 35 year-old centre.

“A shameful day in Canada” – The death of polish immigrant continues to dominate media with blame targets including the Vancouver RCMP, YVR (Vancouver International Airport), and the any common citizen who chose to ignore the situation by walking by.

My 2 Thoughts – I can’t help but wonder if the situation would be any different if the immigrant was from a different nationality. We all know that CBSA (Canadian Border Services Agency) profile individuals as they enter security gates to determine “random” checks. By profiling, I am referring to the concept where assumptions are made about an individual from conscious or unconscious clues based on behavior, clothes or other characteristics visible to naked eye. In this concept, erroneous assumptions can result into action as profiling often occurs without any deeper or real knowledge of an individual. This being said, what if instead of a polish immigrant, clean-cut, and without head-ware, we had an individual from Islamic or Indian decent supporting a long beard with a turban or other head-ware. In a time where terrorist profiling is common, would the situation be any different if the latter was seen “hanging out” in the carousel area of YVR for 6 hours, struggling to communicate with anyone and becoming increasingly agitated? This is purely hypothetical but I hope it makes you think? The situation is far from black and white as blame can shift from the mother who asked her son to wrongly stay by the carousel when she had no feasible access to it; the common citizen who did not stop and help this poor immigrant in his time of distress; to YVR from not intervening sooner while this individual was a lot calmer; to the Police for their possible haste in how they handled the situation; to the Media for blasting everyone for the incident and raising Canada’s profile in international mediums contrary to our caring culture. I have my own personal bias but I said I would try and keep it brief.