Chapter 9, # 46.

This was my response to a question on a take-home essay test for one of my communication classes.  If you can't tell, I had a bit of fun with it.

In his famous song “Ice Ice Baby,” rap artist Vanilla Ice tells his audience: “If you got a problem, yo, I'll solve it. Check out the hook while my DJ revolves it.” I'm not sure what that second sentence means, but in order to make the first claim, Mr. Ice surely must have mastered the steps in the Problem-Solving Agenda, which are: 1) Define and delineate the problem; 2) Analyze the problem; 3) Identify alternative solutions; 4) Evaluate proposed solutions; 5) Choose the best solution.

Let's suppose that Mr. Ice is called upon to solve a problem in the produce department of a grocery store. “Vanilla,” the manager says, “we just don't know how to best organize our vegetables.” Mr. Ice then would (1) check everyone else's understanding by defining and delineating the problem, making sure all members of the group viewed the same issue as the problem. Then Mr. Ice might (2) analyze the problem by leading the produce department in a discussion about the importance of foodstuff organization, who will be affected and various limitations of size, counter-space and refrigeration. Next, discussion would continue with (3) members of the group brainstorming to identify possible solutions such as organization by color, size, scientific classification, storage capacity, popularity, number of syllables, etc. These solutions would be recorded and and then (4) evaluated based on appeal and feasibility. Perhaps placing pumpkins parallel to prunes would put-off potential patrons, but bananas by blueberries might bring big buyers. Upon evaluation of the proposed solutions, the (5) best solution is then chosen, with everyone lending their support in the carrying out of the decision

While the scenario may be fictitious and even a little ridiculous, the process remains true. In following the Problem-Solving Agenda, groups can creatively, effectively and efficiently resolve whatever problems may arise. If these steps are taken, not only will important issues be taken care of, but the group will become more cohesive through the process. Maybe that's the “hook” Vanilla told us to check out.

Lives changed by blueberry donuts

For anyone who rides the bus, has ridden the bus or ever will ride the bus (or any form of public or group transportation), you know/will know that it's typically a pretty silent experience.  It's almost as if people fear to interact with eachother nowadays.  No one talks to anyone else, unless they know them, and if anyone catches you looking at them, even if it's just a glance, you both look away immediately as if the other person has a disease that can be spread through eye contact.  The seats on a bus can be exactly half full with every other seat available, and yet there will still be people standing because they don't want to sit by anyone they don't know.  I think that might be why all the lifeboats from the Titanic were only half full; I can just imagine these people standing knee deep in water on the deck of the sinking ship cursing themselves for choosing hypothermia over social awkwardness.  But anyway, back to my story.
Last week, coming home from school, the bus was moderately full, full enough that about every other seat was taken (yes, people were standing).  I chose to sit down next to a kid I had seen on the bus several times before, whom I really enjoyed watching.  (Yes, I watch people.)  This kid, in some aspects, reminded me of me.  He had what seemed like a direct connection between his brain and his face (ok, looking back at that sentence it sounds really dumb.  And obvious.  Of course he has a connection between his brain and his face!  That's how people move their faces!  But that's not what I meant.  Let me explain...).  He would do what I know for a fact what I do when I need something to amuse myself: I think, and that will show on my face.  I look around, I furrow my brow, I chuckle at something funny to myself, I'll even sometimes shake or nod my head to emphasize a point in the private discussion happening within my mind.  And he does the same thing, so it's really fun to watch.  But anyway, back to my story.
I sit down next to this kid and introduce myself, we get to talking and having a grand ol' time.  Today, basically the same scenario occurred.  Get on the bus, mostly full, seat next to Mike (the kid) is open, so I sit down.  I had just been to Wal-Mart with my friend Laura and purchased an 8-count box of blueberry cake donuts for only $1.50, which was $1 off the original price, so naturally I offer one to Mike, who accepts.  Then, another girl I had conversed with in the past whom I hadn't noticed was on the bus asked if she could have one.  Certainly!  This leads me to explain the phenomenal value of the box of donuts, which starts a bus-wide discussion on the merits of blueberry donuts.  One girl (K...ylie?  I think) even calculated that it came out to $.18 a donut, which lead to another conversation about typical donut pricing, etc.  By the time I got off the bus, everyone was talking to everyone else, having a positive social experience on a bus ride instead of individual silent brooding sessions.
Every interaction we have with other people has an impact on our lives.  A smile from a stranger can make someone's day, kind words in passing could brighten a spirit, a small act of service can have a large impact.  Today on the bus, people communicated with eachother because of a tiny social stimulus.  In short, lives were changed by blueberry donuts.