When I was a teenager, Johnny Carson was the star of The Tonight Show. In one of his monologues he made a joke about a coming toilet paper shortage.
At the same time, I was working my way through high school and the beginning of college at a grocery store. Sure enough, the day after his monologue we sold out of toilet paper. We then went weeks unable to keep toilet paper on the shelves. Just because of his monologue – not because their was actually any tp shortage at all.
Fear creates shortage.
A fearful reaction to anything never creates a good result.
When I drive by gas stations and see lines of people and the reaction of some as they worry about gas shortage issues, I am reminded of Johnny and toilet paper.
This too shall pass. Toilet paper shelves will be full again.
3 comments
You must of needed gas this morning???
Posted on September 24, 2008 at 11:48 AM
It is so funny that you mention the TP shortage today. I was just discussing that very issue with a co-worker this morning. He said his mother stocked their basement with literally hundreds of packs of TP and was still trying to give it all away when she passed away just a few years ago. This fits right in with your current series. Living in fear of "running out" will cause you to stockpile and horde what you have, while nothing flows from you.
Posted on September 24, 2008 at 2:28 PM
This is such a great perspective. I forwarded it to all of my coworkers.
Posted on October 1, 2008 at 10:49 AM