When I first started this blog 3 years ago, we did a post on responsible environmental choices in the paper industry and promotion of “green” thinking with clients. I thought it was a great story, but wouldn’t you know it… a comment showed up in my inbox questioning what gave Scout the right to preach.

At the time my answer was slightly different than it is now. Both my answers, then and today, I still think are correct. Back then I said that as designers we influence society with our work and educating about the choices, particularly in paper, had to fall upon us as influencers. Designers have always put a face to current culture. Besides, I try not to preach.. just share options.

My answer today is still this but more. We all have a voice now with the social media boom and tools like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Linked In with blogs allowing this. If you have access to a computer then you can share your story or opinion and connect.

In the past, there was a time when a single cry could not be heard above the noise of others. A complaint could easily be dismissed without much thought of repercussions. On the flip side, an amazing experience might be shared with a close circle of friends and hope it gets passed on from there. It was the job of media and advertising to guide the masses on which businesses and brands should be successful. The thing with advertising is, that while controlled by the company, it also was controlled by money – to some degree the press could also be controlled in this way. What is amazing is that this formula has changed dramatically over the past few years with the accessibility of the internet.

So in honour of giving everyone a voice if they waned to share, my son Jaero, wanted to let the world know his opinions on jam. We set out last week and bought 3 great County jams and through in the GT brand in the mix. Here are his comments:

1. The Marshmallow Room – Black Current and Peach Jam – “This is real good Dad, it would be good on toast, chunky bits are delicious…”
2. Rose Grape Jelly – The Waring House Gourmet – “This is good but probably too fancy for peanut butter sandwiches – pretty colour too”
3. Black Raspberry Jam – Pat’s Jams – “OOooh good, even the little seeds are good, it tastes like the raspberries from our garden, Safryn do you want to try the jam?” (offering to his little sister)
4. Pure Strawberry Jam – GT – “This is good too, like what I would expect on toast.”

There you go…