I was half tempted not to write this article. Not because I don’tlike my column, not because of some threat against the newspaper, but because I wanted an iPod. I mean, hey, I took the time to write this, didn’tI? That surely deserves an iPod… It seems like rewards are necessary motivation for anything we do anymore.
I behave correctly, I could win an iPod. I complete a survey, I could win an iPod. I sign up for this, that, or the other thing, I could win an iPod.
What’s with all the iPoddiness?
By Karissa Kilgore,
Staff Writer
I was half tempted not to write this article. Not because I don’tlike my column, not because of some threat against the newspaper, but because I wanted an iPod. I mean, hey, I took the time to write this, didn’tI? That surely deserves an iPod… It seems like rewards are necessary motivation for anything we do anymore.
I behave correctly, I could win an iPod. I complete a survey, I could win an iPod. I sign up for this, that, or the other thing, I could win an iPod.
What’s with all the iPoddiness?
It seems unnecessary to reward people for every little thing they do, especially when the things that they�re doing aren’textraordinary.
It makes me think of a third grade classroom when the teacher brings in candy to reward the students for answering multiplication tables.
One times seven is seven-have a tootsie roll. Fourteen times five is 70 – have a lollipop. One hundred eighty-seven times 32 is 5984 – have an iPod.
Maybe when we�re at such an impressionable age the reward or incentive seems appropriate.
Anymore, though, I wonder why it’s necessary.
I�m not going to tell anyone they shouldn’thave some sort of reward that’s raffled off – that’s none of my business. But having something as an incentive for everything? That’s a bit much.
It just so happens that lately everyone is giving out iPods. I know that they�re hot commodities.
They�re nice to have (while I question the use of them to isolate one’s self from the rest of humanity), but why must we use them as incentives for students that are old enough to vote, drive, and take out loans, among other things? Those are big factors in life. They don’tinvolve direct rewards, usually, yet we still partake in them.
I can see it now: Election Day 2006. Register to vote and win an iPod! Vote, and you�re automatically qualified to win the latest iPod! If your candidate wins, you have an extra chance to win a speaker system for the iPod!
Wouldn’tthat just ruin the idea of voting?
It’s the same idea with giving something away for any old reason. Are we that apathetic that we need some constant incentive to participate in society? I honestly hadn’tthought it was that bad…but with the epidemic of iPod giveaways I�ve seen lately, our generation must be as easily motivated as a pair of dirty socks.
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