A weekly roundup of talking points, sans effort

 

Thought for the week

“The investigations process proposed in the Ipso plans is so lengthy, and provides so many opportunities for the publisher to object, that there is very little chance a fine will ever be imposed… …It is a long way away from the system Leveson recommended.” Professor Martin Moore, director of the Media Standards Trust, discussing the new press watchdog suggested by the UK’s biggest newspaper groups.

Weekly high

Coffee giant Douwe Egberts decided to place a vending machine in a South African airport recently, designed to refresh and revive weary travellers. Lacking in any coin slot, cappuccinos and the like are dispensed when the gadget’s facial recognition software notices a traveller has yawned. Rather novel to say the least, it’s gestures like this that win customers. Take a look.

Weekly low

Cash is tight at the moment. Understanding this, McDonalds set out to help its U.S. staff budget better by handing out a ‘Practical Money Skills’ pack. Therein people found a ‘sample budget’, based on below average expenses, compared with the earnings of minimum wage employees (some $1,105 per month). Unfortunately, though, the only thing this taught its crew members was that they can no longer afford to work for the fast food chain without getting a second job. How’s that for crushing spirits?

 

Things that might happen in the next week…

Kate Middleton may finally give birth to that Royal Baby everyone has been going on about for a while now. Meanwhile, the heatwave in the UK is set to continue until Thursday at least, with temperatures threatening to reach 35 degrees, before thunder storms disrupt the sunshine. And, unfortunately, the far right English Defence League will demonstrate in Birmingham City Centre on Saturday, July 20th, sparking fears amongst residents and police that the march could end in violence.

Just in case you missed it…

Channel 4 is launching a brand new social media themed TV show, Don’t Blame Facebook, on Monday 22nd July. Featuring eleven people who have ‘underestimated the power of social’, the idea is to retell amusing and embarrassing stories about communicative mishaps in the online world.
If there is a success story, blunder, or news event you’d like to see included email helloATsmokinggun.co.uk or tweet using #blaggersblog. Happy Friday!