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Rubber Ducky Contest Winner
Here is another winning answer to the Rubber Ducky Dilemma question:
"Why are we surrounded by defective rubber duckies, and what can we do
about it?" This contest is ongoing, so please send us your answers as
well!
Cheap is the problem
"Why are we surrounded by defective duckies?" This is the second
ultimate question. Well, not really! We are surrounded by defective
duckies because we have given up hope for real quality, real substance,
and have settled for the thing that's cheaper. In a way, that's what we
want. For rubber duckies, manufacturers grew to believe the best rubber
ducky would be the cheapest and most cost effective for their companies,
which screws us and Ernie out of cool rubber duckies that actually work.
In the long run the average consumer does not realize that "Hey wait I'm
getting shafted!" but instead goes out and buys another one, in hopes
that it will work. This continuously leads to the downturn of rubber
duckies. Much unlike its predecessor, the new rubber ducky is vain and
seeks attention. It wants to give children false hope of standing
strong, while its ancestors only wanted to add fun time to bath time. To
change the situation I believe we should enlighten the masses of
defective duckies, gain their influence, and make these manufactures of
broken duckies know that we want duckies that withstand a slight nudge
of a wave, to be able to stand tall and proud to honor us and Ernie.
--Nicole Alexander
CONTEST RULES
Our modern culture is awash in cute new rubber duckies,
but few or none of them float like a rubber ducky should. Most of them
fall over with just a slight nudge. What does this say about us? How did
we get here? Are we modern people like these lame ducks, toppling over
at the slightest wave of trouble or criticism, unable to stick up for
ourselves? Is this the ultimate victory of style over substance? Can we
ever design a workable health insurance system if we can't even design
workable rubber ducks? Do you have any answers about this? Sure you do,
and here's a ducky deal: write or email us with an answer to the
question "Why are we surrounded by defective duckies, and what can we do
about it?" Answers must be short, say less than 200 words (no Moby
Ducks, please), and they may be edited. If your answer floats, we will
print it along with your name, and you will win a free one-year
subscription (or subscription extension) to the Free Press. (Note: we do
not enter you on any junkmail lists.) Send your answers and address (in
case you win) to [email protected] (be sure to write "Rubber Ducky
Contest" in the subject heading), or "Rubber Ducky Contest", c/o WA Free
Press, PMB#178, 1463 E. Republican St, Seattle 98112. If you don't win
the free subscription, please don't take it hard. Just take a nice warm
bath to soothe yourself--minus the duck.
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