Melanie Rock

Valuation can be fun...

When Monopoly inspires an up-with-community school project, maybe everyone wins. Monjoli features landmarks in the Montréal neighbourhood of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, each located precisely on a map and introduced by children attending school in the area. A "hotel" on the site of a former bank, abandoned and then reclaimed as a youth centre, would put you back $500 (those are Canadian dollers, mind).

This initiative came to my attention via a 20 November 2002 post to another site of the "blog" sort, maintained by Gilles, a local community organizer.

Virtual reality, and in reality...

Gamers may soon find that they can score McDonald's simulacra. "Shakes, fries, and pimply-faced employees are irrevocably etched on to every CD of The Sims Online," according to a critical review, originally published by Shift and reprised by AlterNet, which urges consumers to take (virtual) action.

"Actually order and consume virtual McD's food, then use The Sims Online's 'expressive gestures' [feature] in creative ways. Lie down and play dead. Emote the vomiting, sickness, or fatigue that might overcome you after eating a real life McNugget," is one suggestion, provided for would-be rebels to follow.

Gardening, anyone?

Isles, a non-profit organization based in Trenton, New Jersey that specializes in revitalizing distressed neighborhoods through community gardens and other initiatives, received all profits from sales of autographed copies of Fast Food Nation following Eric Schlosser's presentation the other night at Princeton University.

An Isles spokesperson addressed the assembled just before the headliner took the stage. To provide the capacity crowd with a flavour of what the organization and the people it helps are up against, the Isles spokesperson noted that apples and bananas are the only fresh produce regularly on offer in local stores, but they are never both there at the same time. She also said that the nearest supermarket is a car-ride away.

Fast Food at Princeton

Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal has, justifiably, received critical acclaim and popular success. It is well-researched, well-written, and it does make you sit back and think, even if you might not agree with all the views expressed therein. I will have the opportunity to hear the author Eric Schlosser speak about this work later this evening, as I was tipped off that he will give a public lecture at his alma mater, Princeton University.

Healthy economies?

Just got the November 2002 issue of the magazine MoneySense in the mail.

To ride out turbulent times in the stock market, David Berman (no relation, presumbably, with the Rick Berman featured in an earlier posting about the Center for Consumer Freedom) voices common sentiments in an article entitled, "Why sin is good: Drinking, smoking and gambling might be social evils, but when it comes to your portfolio, they're just what the doctor ordered."

The article lays bare the "ethical barriers," "ethical justification," and financial opportunities for alcohol, tobacco and casino investments.