[Note: We welcome you to Being Human, a new weekly feature courtesy of the Leo Burnett/Arc Worldwide Information Resource Center. Being Human collects noteworthy stories that examine who we are, what we do and how we think.]
In the Major Press
The Working Vacation
Some business travelers are using one trip to fulfill multiple needs; 59% have had friends or family join them on a trip so they could spend free time together. The New York Times; 08/31/10
Most People Still Decline To Be Located
Adoption of location-based apps and websites is largely confined to pockets of young, technically adept urbanites; just 4% of Americans have tried these services, and 80% are men. The New York Times; 08/30/10
Sweet Talking Your Computer
People respond to computers and other technologies using the same social rules and expectations that they use when interacting with other people. The Wall Street Journal; 08/28/10
Back-To-Schoolers Put Off Shopping
There’s a growing contingent of frugal folks who delay back-to-school shopping in hopes of landing bargains, or who put it off simply because they don’t have the money. USA Today; 08/27/10
Yoga In America
Some 16 million Americans currently practice yoga, and many feel more comfortable uttering “om” and “namaste” in a sweaty class than they would entering a house of worship. The Economist; 08/20/10
Mom vs. Machine
The majority of moms are very positive about technology’s role in fostering family communication—especially monitoring and staying connected to their kids. Parenting Magazine; 08/06/10
The Creativity Crisis
The consequences are sweeping. One likely culprit is the number of hours kids spend in front of the TV and playing videogames rather than engaging in creative activities. Newsweek 07/19/10
Polled & Surveyed
Consumer Confidence Rises
Confidence among consumers rose to 53.5 in August due to an improvement in their short-term outlook, but overall, consumers remain “apprehensive.” MarketWatch; 08/31/10
Job Stress Is Workers’ Biggest Complaint
The majority of U.S. workers are satisfied with several aspects of their work, including relations with coworkers, flexibility of hours, and the amount of work required of them. Gallup; 08/30/10
Older Adults And Social Media
Social networking use among Internet users ages 50+ has nearly doubled in one year—from 22% in April 2009 to 42% in May 2010. Pew Research; 08/27/10
Americans Believe They’re Eco-Friendly
More than three quarters (76%) of Americans believe they do their part to help the environment, while a quarter (24%) say they do little or nothing at all. Marist Poll 08/13/10
Discussed Online
Labor Day Travel Plans
The number of those traveling this Labor Day weekend will increase 9.9% from 2009, with approximately 34.4 million taking a trip of 50+ miles. Marketing Daily; 08/30/10
Global Trends In Healthy Eating
Americans are the most likely to avoid healthy foods because they believe don’t taste as good. Nearly a quarter actively purchase organic foods. nielsenwire; 08/30/10
Consumers Want To Co-Create
Three in five adults are willing co-creators, particularly interested in the PC, TV, CPG, home entertainment, and home appliance industries. Forrester; 08/20/10
Women Dominate Many Aspects Of Digital
Women spend more time and money on the Net than men, and have a growing share of gaming, gambling, finance, and sports site traffic. comScore Voices; 08/02/10
