Thursday Thoughts - Vending Machines and Robot Domination

Dear vending machine inventors and clever ad agencies,

Think about what you are doing to the world with your work, please.

It seems the new trend is to engage the customer with the machine,

but exploiting love for junk food at this level seems plain mean.

There's the one in Singapore that gives out a free Coke for a hug,

or the traveling machine that spits out free chips when you cut the rug,

or the beer granting, coin eating, rugby tackle requiring box -

three machines which treat humanity like we're all dumb as rocks.

While there are the many who live life happily ignorant

of the psychological effects for which such advertising is meant,

I, for one, know that you will benefit long after that day

when the long hidden happy memories come into play.

When feeling blue, they may look back upon the joy

they found interacting with your junk food dispensing toy

and reach for that same snack to help soothe their pain

only to experience undesired weight gain.

I know what you'll say. "Watch the videos.  They love it!"

I am familiar with your tactic, but wish you were above it.

At the very least could you post some nutritional info?

The calories burned while earning the treat could also show?

You stand to gain much by getting the people to play your game,

so spread honest facts now before you are the ones they blame

for their vast lack of happiness and plethora of fat cells -

the obvious result of your machine's powerful spells.

May your robots be kind and spread joy in style!

Sincerely,

Rachel Hoyt

of Rhyme Me a Smile

© 2012 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.


Technorati Tags: Junk Food, Vending, Robot, Marketing, Poetry


Read more rhymes by Rachel at her new column, Clickety Clack -
poetic news about Santa Barbarians talking back.