The Anonymous Widower

How About An Electronic Message Badge?

There are certain things that really annoy me as I walk around London  and other places. I usually just want to get about my business in the quickest way possible.

1. Perhaps the biggest annoyance, especially at the Angel is chuggers or charity muggers.  I support various charities, but I won’t support one that uses chuggers. Many incidentally are ones, that C or myself have supported in the past.  I don’t support them now! I can’t be the only person who feels this way and I do wonder whether using chuggers has proved unprofitable for some charities.
2. And then there are shops, like W H Smith,that constantly offer me offers I don’t want. Most seem to be for chocolate based snacks or fast food, that I can’t eat as I’m a coeliac.  Some assistants are so persistent, I only seem to be able to shut them up by being rude.
3. The real annoyance are obese smokers, who block the pavement with their vile habit, thus forcing me into the road.

It strikes me that I coud have an electronic display on my shoulder perhaps controlled by a simple device in my pocket.  It would display an appropriate message. For the three examples I have given, the message might be.

1. I never give any money to anybody who approaches me on the street.
2. I am a coeliac.  Please don’t offer me foods that will make me ill.
3. My son died of a smoking related cancer. Your behaviour disgusts me.

Obviously, you would make sure that the messages were not offensive or preached violence.

But it could be also be used for advertising or information such as.

1. I am an electrician with good references. Contact me on 07xx-xxxxxx.
2. Next week is Victoria Park Carnival.  A free day for all the family.
3. I’m getting off this train at Scunthorpe.  I must be mad.
4. We are sorry your train was delayed.  There was a suicide at Finsbury Park.

The last comment illustrates how the display could be used in crowds to impart information and give answers. I was at Portman Road to see Ipswich Town today, and I feel information badges would be of use in crowd control. Today for instance, there were a lot of messages over the PA, asking supporters in some blocks of the stadium to take a different route out after the match. Stewards badges could have displayed the message.

Obviously as the messages would be under control of the wearer or their employer, either through wi-fi, Bluetooth, SMS or directly, appropriate messages could be displayed quickly as required.

August 27, 2011 - Posted by AnonW | World | Charity, Information