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as chosen by Zippy McDuff, The Invisible Intern™.
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Paraffin:
Not Good
Dear
Coury,
I
happened upon your web site while doing a GOOGLE search on one of my clients,
Jenni Originals (VegeSoy Candles). I handle PR for the candle company
and have done so since they launched in September 2000.
I
liked your site and found it a refreshing change from the usual drek that
crowds the Internet. However, the negative connotation surrounding Jenni
Originals' placement on your BOTTOM
5 LIST is not warranted.
You
state: "Reality Check: Humankind continues to use paraffin candles as
it has for millennia, apparently unscathed."
Not
entirely accurate.
First
of all, you should be aware that sales for Jenni Originals VegeSoy Candles
have quadrupled since last year and will surpass $1 million by the end
of the 2002. That's a pretty hefty jump in sales. But that doesn't even
take into account the increase in sales for other NON-paraffin brands
like Ergo, Ooh La La, Soy Environment and at least a dozen others. Non-paraffin
candles now make up almost 30% of all candle sales in the United States
and soy-based candles have only been around for two years. Imagine what
could happen in ten!
Further,
the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Consumer Safety
Standards has issued press releases stating that paraffin candles contain
particulants, which can be harmful to people when burned in closed
quarters. Burning multiple wicks in your home is WORSE than breathing
the polluted air in major cities like Los Angeles and New York. At least
for me, the most important benefit of a soy-based candle is that they
are 100% cruelty-free. Did you know that a large portion of traditional
paraffin candles contain animal fats to create that uneven, rustic look?
I join millions of others that find it disgusting and despicable to burn
animal fat when there is an alternative like soy available.
A
sane, thinking, caring person would much rather burn a soy-based candle.
You're right: Humankind often screws up and takes the cheap, non-thinking
way out. Hell, if I had a dime for every idiot I met on the streets of
Los Angeles I'd be an extremely wealthy woman. Still, there is no way
you can say that paraffin candle users walk away UNSCATHED as stated in
your list. They may be too stupid to know they're breathing FUEL and they
may not see the problems associated with it right away or EVEN KNOW that
the paraffin contributed to their health problems.... But there are simply
too many published studies that prove paraffin stinks. The EPA states
the truth in three different published studies and press releases. Reports
on the dangers of paraffin have been seen on/in CNN, MSNBC, NY Times,
LA Times, USA Today... If idiots choose to ignore the warnings and burn
fuel in their homes, around their children and pets, I suppose that's
up to them. But it is a bit naive of you to print that people are burning
paraffin candles and are apparently unscathed by the experience. "Apparently"
is the operative word. Nonetheless, the numbers speak for themselves.
Soy is becoming the candle of choice for intelligent consumers (and that,
again is about 30%).
You
listed an environmentally conscious product with only good to bring to
the world alongside FLAK JACKETS, EYEGLASS LEASHES, TEE SHIRTS AND SPARKLY
BANDANAS. I think if you re-think your list just a little bit, you might
see that Jenni Originals deserved better than to be included next to these
nonsensical products. This candlemaker is not only one of the finest people
I've ever known, she is a businesswoman who is wholly devoted to a green
environment and philanthropic efforts associated with saving the environment
and children. She is currently in the process of building a "green" factory
in Phoenix, Arizona so that her business contributes to the health of
our planet. Perhaps you could see fit to remove her from your list.
I'm
at your convenience to answer any questions.
Lea
Yardum
Perception PR
Lea@PerceptionPR.com
Apparently,
this is a trend that has escaped my notice. I apologize then for the flip
comment (re: "unscathed"), which I was really directing toward Entertainment
Weekly rather than just Jenni Originals. The column was intended as
a criticism of magazines that imbue celebrities with the power of prognostication
when it comes to consumer trends; perhaps in this case they were correct.
–Ed.
One
Country's Camp is Another Country's Foodstuffs
yeah
morons, with your pizza_hut_stuffed asses...
U
find those pictures
shitty? - get yourself a better scaner, u jerk
Luge
Luge
luge@mail.ru
Yes,
the scans are indeed crappy, as I explained in the intro, but they still
do not diminish the inherent weirdness (to Western eyes) of the food products
pictured. No slight was intended–just amazement.
–Ed.
Vinyl
Hunters Unite
Hi,
Just
wanted to drop you a line and tell you how much I enjoyed your "From
Another World." I loved your description of searching out vinyl booty
amid the sea of Sing Along with Mitch and .38 Special records.
Imagine my delight when I saw that one of your examples was Music for
the Sensational Sixties by Don Elliot. I picked up this gem along
with Exotic Percussion: Exotic Sounds of Milt Raskin at an estate
sale. They gave them to me for nothing, the fools. I also picked up a
Les Baxter/Bas Shiva record still in the original wrapping at a flea market
in Detroit. It was nestled in a milk crate among countless '80s New Wave
junk. I asked the guy at the booth how much he wanted for it. "Uh, I dunno…
a buck?" was his reply. You can still find this stuff cheap… most
people just don't know what they've got. That being the case, however,
the vinyl is often scratched or warped beyond playability. Anyway, again,
great article… thanks!
Aaron
(e-mail address withheld)
The
"From Another World" piece was also featured at Retro
Planet.
—Ed.
PopCult
From Across the Pond
Nice
review of Reign
of Fire there. I just thought that I'd drop a line to say that
over here in Blightey we thought the same as you.
We
did, however, laugh at the biggest plot hole. (Apart from the dragons,
general lack of people, and of course that bloody ridiculous accent. Christian
Bale had no excuse, being English and all.) The plane crashed in Manchester.
They are heading for London. The castle is in Durham. That's west of Manchester
and the wrong way if you want to make London. Still, at least Matthew
McConaughey did fry. Bring on the Road to Perdition and I'll take
my flame-thrower with extra chili please
Keep
up the good work.
Best
regards,
Andy
judgemonkey@hotmail.com
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