Old is new again, the true awareness test.

Everyone loves a crazy internet video, especially one that is really funny, remarkable, scary or makes you think differently than before.  Being human means you love to laugh, ohhh and ahhh, be frightened or enlightened.

 Now, I’m sure you have all seen the video of people tossing basketballs around and a voiceover asking you to count the number of passes:  “This is an awareness test”.   It is part of a campaign for Transport for London’s bicyclist awareness program. It seems that countless blog gurus have posted this “new” video as an example of how marketing uses smoke and mirrors, how close are you really paying attention and any number of clichés that can be derived from this clever video.  It is an effective demonstration in that “this is your brain on drugs” sort of way.  However, this *exact test* was passed around several years ago stemming from research at the University of Illinois.  Those persons considering themselves internet savvy and truly connected, surely know that this isn’t the first time they’ve seen this?  Or is it?

But who can keep track of all the crazy things that get passed around on the internet.   Some of the blog gurus are editing their posts to add in “oh, just got a note pointing to the original.”  Which brings me back to being human.  Yes, this new version of the awareness video is slick and effective, definitely more so than the original.  Yes, 2004 was a long time ago.  Yes, it is ok if you didn’t hear about it then.  Yes, it is ok that the original thought/test has not been mentioned.  Or is it?  With eight zillion blogs starting up everyday it is easy to get lost in the constant linking from one news source to the next. I often times find myself with ten tabs open in the blink of an eye.  

What’s the point you ask?  Mostly it boils down to the conversations being had on these blogs.  Comments from people in the know are often just as relevant and aware as the blog post itself.   No one is perfect.  No one has seen *every* wacky internet video. Awareness comes from knowing your surroundings, your readers, your customers and any number of important personal and economic circumstances.  Thanks to those blog gurus who have awareness and have acknowledged their readers who continue to carry on the conversation.