What did you do when the Olympic Torch passed by?

[LadyArowana]

the absence of a winkie dashed that faint hope.

Sir, Sir, Mr Wiggs is being rude, I heard him say winkie.

 

[Lime]

Here we go.
Name-calling just because someone doesn't agree.
What a fine example of sportsmanship and the spirit of fair play.
but of course I forgot.
They died years ago to be replaced by sponsorship, winners and a whole lot of losers.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

the absence of a winkie dashed that faint hope.

Sir, Sir, Mr Wiggs is being rude, I heard him say winkie.

You've just created a new unit of time MiLady.

"Faster than a Penners"!

 

[Flyfisher]

Don't mention the war! . . . . . although it's agood excuse to dig out his old classic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xnNhzgcWTk

 

[biffvernon]

As you know, I think that the Olympics would have been a whole lot better if there had been no corporate sponsorship. Strangely enough, most people I meet seem to have a similar view.

And that doesn't even mention Bhophal.

However, others have. Olympics Linked to Bhopal Disaster by Indian Artist

 

[Flyfisher]

As you know, I think that the Olympics would have been a whole lot better if there had been no corporate sponsorship. Strangely enough, most people I meet seem to have a similar view.

Why 'strangely enough'? Leading questions tend to return predictable answers don't they? It's a bit like asking if people would prefer fewer adverts on the television - well of course they would, but they don't really care enough to do anything about it, do they? They still enjoy watching commercial channels.

So all this 'anti' stuff just tends to irritate people in the end and becomes counter-productive. A bit like the global warming debate really.

 

[LadyArowana]

So all this 'anti' stuff just tends to irritate people in the end and becomes counter-productive.

A very good point FF. I know I am much more inspired by people who have a vegetarian diet and say it is delicious and healthy, than by people who preach about the dreaful effects of cattle ranching/ soy farming for feed etc etc.

In relation to sponsorship I always wonder if it really does make a difference to the choices that people make. I personally can't think of an instance where I have chosen something because of it. Looking through the list of the companies on the Guardian website, I find a mix of some that I use and have done for a long time ( bank- because the account was opened for me by my dad decades ago, water co- similar historic reasons, etc etc ) some that I would never ever ever use based on personal experience/ preference ( eg, a certain parcel deliverey service that I refer to as Oooooops, because they broke a very expensive and irreplaceable piece and were horrible to deal with, Omega, don't like the designs ) and some that I use if they happen to have something I want ( Adidas on sale, John Lewis - elephant cups couldn't resist, Visa- if the place won't take Amex! ). The anomaly would be Heathrow Airport because short of forcing my way into the cockpit and demanding a change of destination it is where my flights land ( and please no suggestions that I carve myself a canoe and paddle to somewhere and join a camel caravan via the Silk Route to Europe ).
My guess is that I am fairly typical and that marketing does create brand awareness but beyond that peoples choices are based on a combination of lethargy ( that bank was the closest ), dissatisfaction ( I'm leaving that bank and going to the next one down the road ) and vague personal preferences ( my friend works at that bank ). So if they are handing over loads of dosh to facilitate some running about, which the people doing it enjoy, and some watching of running about, which others enjoy, then best not to tell them it isn't worth it. Lets just keep it as our little secret and everyone can be happy.

 

[biffvernon]

So all this 'anti' stuff just tends to irritate people in the end and becomes counter-productive. A bit like the global warming debate really.

Oh yes, it's just so irritating when someone points out that Dow Chemicals, an Olympic sponsor, is one of the most evil companies on the planet. And as for global warming, huh, all so irritating.

 

[LadyArowana]

So all this 'anti' stuff just tends to irritate people in the end and becomes counter-productive. A bit like the global warming debate really.

Oh yes, it's just so irritating when someone points out that Dow Chemicals, an Olympic sponsor, is one of the most evil companies on the planet. And as for global warming, huh, all so irritating.

Are you referring to these people http://www.dowwindenergy.com/ ? They seem to make lots and lots of other very useful things too, so thanks for the heads up on that, I had ignored them in my review of the other sponsors as I was unaware of what they did.

 

[Flyfisher]

So all this 'anti' stuff just tends to irritate people in the end and becomes counter-productive. A bit like the global warming debate really.

Oh yes, it's just so irritating when someone points out that Dow Chemicals, an Olympic sponsor, is one of the most evil companies on the planet. And as for global warming, huh, all so irritating.

You may be missing my point Biff, which was nothing to do with the merits of your argument and more about the ineffectiveness of your methods (not only yours, of course).

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Does the production of lots of hot air contribute to Global Warming ? :lol:

 

[LadyArowana]

Does the production of lots of hot air contribute to Global Warming ? :lol:

Beans for breakfast again?

 

[AMc]

What I don't really get about the empty seats debate is why they can't move people from the cheap seats into the more expensive seats - it wouldn't take a miracle of organisation to get them to move back if the "owner" actually showed up late. They could also admit "park" ticket holders and similarly boot them if the need arose as you are obliged to have your ticket with you at all times and the park tickets are as traceable as the event ones.

I'm still browned off that I applied for a variety of events in the draw and got absolutely nothing, nor did my brother which meant we couldn't take our 8 year old who was born 1.5 miles away and is really excited about it all.

In a more recent ticket release email I was excited to see diving tickets had been opened up then dashed that they were £1500 each.

In the end I did manage to book tickets to see the football in Manchester for the "London" Olympics. I'm expecting to find myself sitting in the gods where my seats are looking over banks of empty seats.

IMHO if they'd employed one of the budget airlines to price, sell and allocate seating we'd be seeing full arenas, more money in the pot and bigger cheers for the real stars of the show.

I'm still very impressed that the BBC has 24 free HD or SD channels on satellite, shame I only just found them
http://www.freesat.co.uk/how-to/faqs/olympic-games/

 

[Flyfisher]

IMHO if they'd employed one of the budget airlines to price, sell and allocate seating we'd be seeing full arenas, more money in the pot and bigger cheers for the real stars of the show.

An interesting idea. They'd probably just get everyone to line up at the entrances and then let them fight over the actual seating when they open the doors. :lol:

 

[AMc]

An interesting idea. They'd probably just get everyone to line up at the entrances and then let them fight over the actual seating when they open the doors. :lol:

I've got sharp elbows - I'd have seen the 100m final in the front row

 

[MatthewC]

IMHO if they'd employed one of the budget airlines to price, sell and allocate seating we'd be seeing full arenas, more money in the pot and bigger cheers for the real stars of the show.

An interesting idea. They'd probably just get everyone to line up at the entrances and then let them fight over the actual seating when they open the doors. :lol:

That actually sounds as though it should be a new event

 

[Feltwell]

More amusing today though - who else but Boris could possibly find themselves in this position?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19079733

 

[biffvernon]

There were bubbles:

For those who don't know, we had 55 people all on our new Giant bubble nets on the Field of Play, and another 600 bubble guns in amongst the audience to make up a total of a billion bubbles!

 

[vicky whitworth]

Ambivalent towards the Olympics until now. Thought the opening ceremony was hilarious. Disappointed that the olde worlde cottage at the beginning didn't have upvc windows (Do we want the world to think we live in hovels?) But last night was outstanding. Cried when Mo Farah crossed the line.

 

[Nigel Watts]

What has happened to the stiff upper lip and British reserve? The winning British athletes seem to end up blubbing more than any others. Victoria Pendleton nearly got me going too.