merchandizing

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Before the stock brokerages and banks sold out the American people, there was a TV advertisement whose punch line was, "When E.F. Hutton speaks, people listen." The sight gag was that one man is shown whispering to another in a crowded dining room and as soon as he begins to talk, the room goes silent. The implication was that E.F. Hutton had something to say that was worth listening to.

But does/did it? We'll never know, though the economy is clearly in disarray and the brokers are struggling with come-to-Jesus-TV-advertising that will part consumers from whatever money they have left.

Funny how in spiritual life there seem to be two approaches -- A. say things over and over and louder and louder; and B. say it once, quietly, a let it go at that.

I can make the arguments and support the reasons and needs of both persuasions, but I do find it attractive when people say "yes" and "no" and go about their business. Sure, it's all as complex as a ball of yarn or a Freudian wet dream, but in the end, there's "yes" and "no" and work that needs doing.

I knew a Japanese fellow once who lost no opportunity to recall his samurai heritage and his code of bushido honor. These are serious matters for serious people, and yet, for him, it was no more than a solemnity -- a crease in his brocaded robe, another piece of "deeeeeep meaning." There didn't seem to be an E.F. Hutton in the house to whisper in his ear, though he certainly did, like a skilful merchant, come away with plenty of money.

Money and power ... the poor bastard.
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