Ahh … Enlightenment
If you thought enlightenment could only come from hard work, charitable giving, simple living, introspection and meditation, but didn’t want to bother with the hassle of it all–well, Visa has you covered now. Just check out the Enlightenment Card. It offers all the enlightenment you need, but in a handy-dandy, slick as slime plastic card.
After all, according to the credit card company, it’s not money that’s evil; rather, it’s how money’s used that determines its effect, and Visa is there for you to help you use that money. How generous of them.
Visa explains: “The Enlightenment Card was founded on the idea that money is energy and if used with positive and integrative intention, can have the power to affect change in our lives and the world. Everyone uses a credit card, so why not have one where people can earn points towards positive products and services that enhances their overall “conscious” life path? Some of the categories of rewards you can earn points toward are yoga classes and merchandise, organic products, retreats + workshops, exotic travels, books + DVD’s, personal care, spa treatments, and more.”
Of course, not everyone uses a credit card–namely yours truly. We’ve been credit card free for several years, and we don’t particularly feel as though we’re suffering some great loss particularly on our overall “conscious” life path. Don’t tell the folks at Visa, though.
I guess it’s becoming clearer and clearer that idea of intentional living is becoming chic and more mainstream, and the big companies are trying to cash in. Tricky, Tricky. I wonder how well this marketing scheme will work? Will people really fall for the Enlightenment Card?
At any rate, if the folks at Visa aren’t even able to appropriately use affect/effect in their website’s verbiage maybe they’re really not putting as much effort into marketing the card afterall.
January 18th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
That is just sick! I wonder how it would fly if they put crosses on their cards and called it the “Salvation Card”.
You always find the most interesting things, thanks for sharing.
January 18th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Oooh … the Salvation Card! I can see it now: “Visa has your ticket to heaven!”
The enlightenment card is pretty slimy. Yuck!
January 19th, 2007 at 1:02 am
Very strange.
I envision card-holders gaining sudden enlightenment when the initial rate jumps to 15.99%.
January 19th, 2007 at 1:33 am
That’s nuts.
In this case, though, affect IS correct!
–Shana in Missouri
January 19th, 2007 at 3:14 am
Wil - I can see it now. Enlightenment Card holders will open the first bill, gasping: “Wait! I just got roped! I guess all those free yoga classes weren’t free after all.”
Shana - Curious.
I’m under the impression that “effect” is a better choice than “affect.” It seems to me that “effect (bring about) change” works better and makes more sense given the context than “affect (influence) change.”
Of course, all that grammar talk is coming from the girl who’s too lazy to fix incorrect versions of “they’re” and “their” in her blog entries.
January 19th, 2007 at 6:14 am
Its all about the almighty dollar huh? Why don’t we just call it the “spend until you die card”?