This is a blog by a former CEO of a large Boston hospital to share thoughts about negotiation theory and practice, leadership training and mentoring, and teaching.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Caption contest
Just for fun, let's have a caption contest for the picture above. The caption should relate to the current US financial crisis. Please submit your entries!
Lost my investments, medical bills I can't pay, no health insurance since I got laid off due to cut backs, and I had to foreclose on my house. We packed up what we had and left. Don't know where we will end up.
Or:
Was driving through Galveston and there was so much great stuff just laying around, I helped myself.
The email to Henry Paulson from the Union Bank of Nigeria offered untold fortune in return for help following the death of oil baron "DR HDUPI OGA", but as the truck drove away carrying $700 billion in cash, Paulson's only comfort was the knowledge that this was still a better deal than buying leveraged, mortgage-backed securities.
Uh, er, failing to see the humor on this one. Poor people reduced to hauling their stuff/garbage around - or am I missing the obvious amusement factor? Kinda offensive, pal, to turn this into a New Yorker caption contest. Just one person's opinion, of course, as the rest of your readers seem to think this is funny???
I think your comment itself makes judgments about this picture that are not accurate. This picture is from Africa and is a common sight there, as people move their possessions or goods for sale (not garbage!) from one place to another and tend to overload the vehicles because that is the best way for them to do so. In fact, they show great versatility and creativity in doing so in a way that keeps the load balanced and enables them to cross deserts and other rough terrain. You jumped to the conclusion that these are poor people. In fact, if you look closely at the goods being carried, it is by no means clear that they are.
In any event, I think the picture can appear humorous to those of us accustomed to a neater, more constrained form of transport, and it can certainly -- as seen in the comments here -- help us reflect in a humorous way on some of the more serious current events we are living through.
Finally, having personally seen and talked to people who have transported goods in this way, I can tell you that they, too, see the humor in the precarious-looking pattern of goods piled upon their vehicles -- while also taking pride in their own creativity and initiative.
Wasn't sure whether to post the above comment, and I welcome your thoughts. Pimped out can mean "highly ornamented", but it can also have not-so-nice connotations. I allowed the post assuming that the former was the intent. Other thoughts welcome.
Yes, I meant "highly ornamented" as you put it, or more simply, that 700 billion dollars can buy a lot of bells and whistles. And chrome fenders. And a new paint job. And maybe some great new bumper stickers, like "Friends don't let friends vote republican". Stuff like that.
Senate version of the "bailout" plus tax breaks for companies that make wooden arrows for children and millions for U.S. wool producers and auto racetrack owners.
Keep your eyes open; the road paved of gold must be here some place... at least, that's what the scarecrow and that lttle girl said when I stopped for directions...
The economic crisis is finally discovered as GW Bush's secret uber plan for reversing immigration as can be seen from this photo of the border that leads OUT of the USA.
Just for fun, let's have a caption contest for the picture above. The caption should relate to the current US financial crisis. Please submit your entries!
"... so we loaded up the truck and we moved to Beverly... hills that is, swimming pools, movie stars...."
ReplyDeleteInstead of investing in the stock market, these people think investing in junk is going to take off soon!
ReplyDeleteBev, I particularly like the way you made it a self-referential caption, too!
ReplyDeleteLehman Brothers:
ReplyDeleteBanking, Finance, and now Trash Removal Services
BAILOUT PLAN:
ReplyDelete(label on truck)"TAXPAYER"
(label heap of items on top)
"WALL STREET"
"At least we still have the Mercedes! "
ReplyDeleteI'll trade you two oil drums and a wooden basket for $700 billion.
ReplyDeleteDeveloping nations have long aspired to be just like America, and we're doin' our best to make it so.
ReplyDeleteI knew my father was right: when I graduated from college, he advised me "Garbage!" -- the career of the future.
ReplyDeletePaulson's Transportation and Cash Logistics Company.
ReplyDeleteWe can take from anywhere!! So you can sleep easy(free cot provided).
Lost my investments, medical bills I can't pay, no health insurance since I got laid off due to cut backs, and I had to foreclose on my house. We packed up what we had and left. Don't know where we will end up.
ReplyDeleteOr:
Was driving through Galveston and there was so much great stuff just laying around, I helped myself.
The email to Henry Paulson from the Union Bank of Nigeria offered untold fortune in return for help following the death of oil baron "DR HDUPI OGA", but as the truck drove away carrying $700 billion in cash, Paulson's only comfort was the knowledge that this was still a better deal than buying leveraged, mortgage-backed securities.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo...but where is the one of all the clowns coming out of the volkswagon??? jeanie
ReplyDeleteJeanie,
ReplyDeleteCameras have been banned from Capitol Hill for the weekend.
Uh, er, failing to see the humor on this one. Poor people reduced to hauling their stuff/garbage around - or am I missing the obvious amusement factor? Kinda offensive, pal, to turn this into a New Yorker caption contest. Just one person's opinion, of course, as the rest of your readers seem to think this is funny???
ReplyDeleteI think your comment itself makes judgments about this picture that are not accurate. This picture is from Africa and is a common sight there, as people move their possessions or goods for sale (not garbage!) from one place to another and tend to overload the vehicles because that is the best way for them to do so. In fact, they show great versatility and creativity in doing so in a way that keeps the load balanced and enables them to cross deserts and other rough terrain. You jumped to the conclusion that these are poor people. In fact, if you look closely at the goods being carried, it is by no means clear that they are.
ReplyDeleteIn any event, I think the picture can appear humorous to those of us accustomed to a neater, more constrained form of transport, and it can certainly -- as seen in the comments here -- help us reflect in a humorous way on some of the more serious current events we are living through.
Finally, having personally seen and talked to people who have transported goods in this way, I can tell you that they, too, see the humor in the precarious-looking pattern of goods piled upon their vehicles -- while also taking pride in their own creativity and initiative.
Same anon saying thanks for explanation. I wonder if anyone else winced but sounds like you're clear (and cleared at least by this "judge").
ReplyDeleteThe American financial crisis was so bad that immigrants who were here from other countries packed up and started leaving in droves.
ReplyDeleteWe're saving big bucks with this hybrid!
ReplyDeleteBecause of the gas shortage here in GA, we decided to take off and all go to Alabama, they're better in the SEC rankings anyway...
ReplyDelete"I know I sound like a broken record, but I just don't remember having to pack so much before we had the kids."
ReplyDeleteI just wrote a post about this post and compared you to a water buffalo.
ReplyDeleteBut in such a good way!
"With 700 billion dollars we could really pimp out this ride."
ReplyDeleteWasn't sure whether to post the above comment, and I welcome your thoughts. Pimped out can mean "highly ornamented", but it can also have not-so-nice connotations. I allowed the post assuming that the former was the intent. Other thoughts welcome.
ReplyDeleteYes, I meant "highly ornamented" as you put it, or more simply, that 700 billion dollars can buy a lot of bells and whistles. And chrome fenders. And a new paint job. And maybe some great new bumper stickers, like "Friends don't let friends vote republican". Stuff like that.
ReplyDeleteAfter 150 years, Lehman Brothers is finally cleaning out its offices.
ReplyDelete"Hey guys? Before we left, I think I left my wallet in there. Can you loan me $700,000,000,000? I really could go for a Krispie Kreme fix."
ReplyDelete"Did you leave the iron on?"
ReplyDeleteLehman Brothers Loans: This is all the collateral you need.
ReplyDeleteStill looking for a place to hide Bush's bullsh*t
ReplyDelete"I dunno, the truck was pretty empty when I sent it to the Senate. When it came back it was loaded with all this crap."
ReplyDeleteSenate version of the "bailout" plus tax breaks for companies that make wooden arrows for children and millions for U.S. wool producers and auto racetrack owners.
ReplyDeleteI don´t think we need to pimp the car... Its not fast but it has got caracter
ReplyDeleteBail out plan...yet another reason to move to Canada
ReplyDeleteKeep your eyes open; the road paved of gold must be here some place... at least, that's what the scarecrow and that lttle girl said when I stopped for directions...
ReplyDeleteThe economic crisis is finally discovered as GW Bush's secret uber plan for reversing immigration as can be seen from this photo of the border that leads OUT of the USA.
ReplyDeleteHey, don't worry! Obama said to invest for the Long-term- so this scrap will be worth millions someday, you wait.
ReplyDelete