Peter's Principle & Murphy's Law, but what about Dr. Miles' Rule?

Does everyone know the Dr. Miles rule?

Oh sure, mention the Peter Principle or Murphy's Law and anyone can throw in an anecdote or two regarding these universal maxims. But what about the Dr. Miles Rule?

OK, for those non-legal beagles (in otherwords, for most of us) Dr. Miles was the manufacturer who, 96 years ago, sought to fix retail prices (of its patent medicines). The result was an antitrust ruling that was intended to promote competition by barring manufacturers from telling retailers the lowest prices at which they can sell products. In otherwords, Dr. Miles helped shape the 20th-century marketplace by giving rise to the manufacturer's suggested retail price, or MSRP.

So what?

Well, in late March US Supreme Court Justices were split on whether or not to overturn the 96-year-old antitrust ruling -- a decision that could once again shape the marketplace.

The rule has come under increasing attack in recent years, with critics charging that the century-old ruling was too rigid to take into account current market factors - including the perceived problem of "free-rider" discount retailers, who piggyback on the advertising, promotion and informed sales force of other merchants selling the same product.

Again, so what?

When we try to live a principled life -- a Responsible Life based on principles of honesty, integrity, respect and commitment -- then we need to be aware of the constantly changing state of life and culture. While the Dr. Miles Rule may have been an essential way to contribute and help capitalism grow*, it may now be a tool that hinders this system from adapting to the current market.

Like business, we must be constantly vigilant about what rules or policies now impede our growth process, rather than aid our growth. Take for example a common rule: no dating in the office environment. This is a simple rule that is highly beneficial and, for the most part, easy to follow. However, what if you meet, befriend and develop a close friendship with a special person in the office. I am not talking a surge of lust that lasts for months (or maybe even years -- depending on how prone to fantasy you are;) but the kind of relationship that takes into consideration hobbies, values, interests and personality traits. The kind of friendship you can live without, but choose to nurture and grow. Should your rule apply? Or should you throw caution to the wind and take a chance?

The fact is rules are created in an effort to protect and nurture one aspect of life we value over another. In the office rule -- mentioned above -- the rule not to date in the office environs is prefaced on the decision to put professional status and growth above personal growth, in that environment. The same applies for all other rules, including the legally known Dr. Miles Rule in antitrust law. We are all aware that the marketplace is changing and evolving and as a result we need to examine whether or not the rules our forefathers created are still applicable and necessary.

This process of query, analysis and revision helps us as individuals and as a society grow and evolve.


*NOTE: This blog does not endorse or criticize North America's choice to support capitalism. The blog simply acknowledges that the current economic and legal decisions are made based on the philosophy that this economic system is the initial and only choice of Western Neo-Liberal Democracies.

Reduce the Juice

A friend might scoff at these remarks I am about to make. Why? Because I could be considered a power-hog.

I run a desktop, radio and fan while working. In the kitchen classical plays on the dial (so my plants and cat get at least some attention, even if not from me). I continually run a single light bulb (artificial light to keep my plants alive) and am notorious for leaving a room with the lights still on.

But, I am learning.

The fact is climate change (and the growing problems associated with this global dilemma) are becoming more and more of a personal cause for many Canadians that it is becoming fashionable to admit, and then retrain, our old ways of operating.

In the Community of Shelburne, in southern Ontario, a team of high school students took the issue to the streets. This group of conscientious kids went door-to-door with an energy conservation education program that aimed to:

*Raises awareness of energy use in relation to climate change
*Encouraged people to reduce electricity use by 5%
*Created a model program for energy education for rural communities

The 327 Shelburne homeowners were given a brief survey and then asked to pledge a reduction in their electricity usage through nine specific actions (ranging from replacing an old appliance with an Energy Star appliance to hanging clothes outside to dry). Almost 80% of the homeowners took the pledge.

In another, distinctly different community, a program called the Brahms Energy Saving Team (BEST), hired and trained six tenants from an ethno-racially diverse tenant building that housed over 800 people. These six tenants were trained as community education and outreach workers (or Animators).

These Animators helped design and deliver an energy education program that engaged their fellow tenants in their primary language (working in the four most commonly spoken languages – English, Farsi, Somali, and Tamil) and in culturally appropriate ways.

Animators spoke individually with tenants in the buildings to raise awareness and distributed multilingual education materials that focused on simple things tenants can do to save energy. Tenants also received complementary compact fluorescent light bulbs and powerbars.

Toronto Community Housing supported the project by installing new appliances, including 400 new energy efficient fridges and stoves in apartments with older appliances and refurbishing all of the in-suite radiators.

These two programs highlight just some of the many ways that we, as individuals, can act and make a significant contribution in cutting our impact on this Earth.

For me, personally, the change has begun. The radio companion only plays when I am physically not in my office or home. The plants only get the artificial sun on gray days or for a 12-hour segment of time -- and ONLY with an energy efficient flourescent. The computer is turned to standby and all printers and accessories are shut off until needed. And I know "close the light" whenever I leave a room. It may not seem like much, but niether did the increasing individual consumption and use that spiralled from zero to abuse in the last 100 years.

For more information on how you can get involved go to:
Energy Reduction Tips

Where did she go?

Is that the question foremost in your mind?

OK. Is it perhaps the initial query you have after logging on to RK's Responsible Living blog?

No doubt you may have noticed that the blog has been neglected as of late. Not to worry, however, as the blog will be back with a bigger bang for the buck on Monday April 16, 2007.

Until then...examine the news, query the source, and always, always read at least three sources.

Romana