ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

I think this idea can apply to the early childhood field, especially in meetings where important political decisions are made. The chair should represent a child (or in some cases, the parent). When I was in important meetings I was often accused of not being political. After the meeting, others would come up to me and say, "we believe in what you said, but you cannot say it in this kind of meeting!" Maybe an empty chair for a child or parent might refocus these meetings!

Here's my second statement: I am tired of the automatic dichotomy made between caring and cash. Walt Disney, and hopefully Bezos and others, were and are more than their profit margins. It's probably both, as in most false dichotomies. I shop for Christmas, but it has always been much more than toys!

I give a lot of credit for creativity to Jeff Bezos; he owns my 2nd favorite newspaper now! But the empty chair? Don't Pesach celebrators get credit for the empty cup? Talk about commercialization practices!!!

Excellent point Beth Engelhardt -- ask, don't imagine!

I like the empty chair idea if it's about caring and building a true relationship with the "customer." However, in the Amazon case (or Disney or a slew of others), it's not about relationship building, it's about profit. In fact, it is about manipulating the public into buying their products. Products, in fact, that are often not even healthy or in the best interests of the customer (not to mention how poorly their warehouse workers are treated and underpaid). I prefer to see featured and quoted, teachers, directors, social workers, and others (as you have so often in your magazine)--who are not in it for the big money but make a huge difference in the lives of families. I'm so weary of the media making gods out of corporate executives and technology icons. It may be cliche but the real heroes are around us everyday--and they have fantastic ideas and do amazing things without manipulating their fellow citizens and "customers."