What Are the Advantages and/or Drawbacks of Subscribing to Discussion Lists?

“I learn a lot about publishing houses, editors, etc., and we’re like one big happy family,” says Dotti Enderle, who belongs to several lists - the biggest being the Children’s Writers List.

“Unfortunately, because we do spend a lot of time with banter, it takes away from my writing time. But I couldn’t live without this list. If anyone has any type of publishing question, someone there can answer it. The members are quick to share notes from conferences. We cheer when someone gets published, and we console when someone gets that really tough rejection. If I could only be on one email list, there’s no doubt which one I’d choose.”

“Anyway, I’m no longer a debut author but I refuse to give up my list,” Coen says. “It’s been the best thing to happen to me fiction career-wise besides being published. And to top it all off, these women are the most supportive people I have ever been around, and that’s not easy to say among fellow writers. Other lists that I have belonged to you had a lot of back-stabbing, jealousy-type issues, but not here. On some of my lowest days, my Tobeez buddies have really picked me up. I’ve made some of the best friends through this group of remarkable women.”

“What I’ve found to be rather curious in reality is that there is a surprisng number of list subscribers who deeply resent promotional posts by other subscribers, some to the point of calling them spam,” Tibbetts says. “As a result lots of posts are generated arguing and complaining about the propriety of promotional posts. In the end, what’s more aggravating, deleting one promo post that doesn’t interest you or eight to ten posts bickering over it? Seems like a no brainer to me. I don’t understand why someone would subscribe to a list and then complain about promo content related to the subject matter. In my mind, part of the purpose of subscribing is to learn what’s new and what others are doing online–a means of sharing. If that involves promo posts, then so be it. Perhaps it’s incumbent on the list moderators to clarify for their subscribers whether promo posts are acceptable. Obviously everyone agrees that a promo post about a new weight loss program on a publish list is inappropriate. But as for promo posts related to the list topic, there’s currently a good deal of ambiguity, even controversy.”

“I primarily write nonfiction and historical fiction for young adults and only occasionally write mysteries, but I’ve been a member of The Short Mystery Fiction Society email list for nearly two years,” says Tabatha Yeatts, who is a published author. “Not only do I enjoy hearing about great new mysteries, I feel the tips I receive from the list help my writing, as well as giving me ideas. I particularly like this list because it has a warm, supportive feel and is generally able to stay on-topic without seeming like it’s “all business.” My experience with other writing lists has shown me that I have trouble with a large amount of messages, that ones that are continually off-topic — although they may be interesting — are not what I’m looking for, and that jealousy can ruin a list. The Wordweave Creative Writing Workshops are also very supportive and helpful.”

“I have had varied experiences on lists. Some are great, vibrant communities with committed people who do lots of great work and have tons of good advice,” says Gwendolynn Gawlick, who provides Publicity Services. “When I join a list I look for people who will be able to contribute to my knowledge as well as look for help that I can provide. I’ve been on one or two lists that I unsubscribed because the other list members would continually ask inane questions without doing any of the work or research themselves. Then, they would flame each other and spend a week complaining about some imagined slight. That’s a waste of time for EVERYONE. I’ve been able to connect with some great people on lists, and, as an aside, HIGHLY recommend getting the digest version wherever possible! :)”

“I have joined a few lists to exchange experience and learn from others,” says Teresa Cottam, a writer from the UK. “One of the problems for me is people taking umbrage at what you write without understanding what you mean (I’m from the UK so maybe this is a cultural thing). But I think it can be offputting when someone starts accusing you of all sorts of things you didn’t say in a very hectic tone. I can hold my own in arguments, but some of my female friends have avoided Internet discussions because they don’t like e-mail aggression.”

“Another problem is that you often get hundreds of e-mails about subjects that you don’t have any interest in,” Cottam says. “But I still have to sift and delete and then I worry I’m missing something so I end up reading a bit… it’s a real waste of time. I also have to adapt myself to the lists, because a lot of them are US-based and circumstances etc are very different in the UK/Europe. Sometimes you feel a little isolated, because although you are on the Internet and it is supposed to be a worldwide experience, we are expected to adapt ourselves to the US experience. This makes a lot of non-US participants believe that the US and US writers are fairly parochial. US lists don’t talk much about life etc outside the US and sometimes I don’t really understand everything that is said because it is something that depends on an understanding of US things.”

“On the positive side though I have learnt a lot from US lists simply because people do things differently and the writing/editing experience is somewhat different,” Cottam added. “For example, in the UK a lot of the publishing industry looks down their noses at you when they find out you work in technical publishing - it’s been really great to find people who are making money out of it and are proud! I feel as though I’m part of a wider community of technical editors/writers. I’m now trying to persuade my boss to send me on one of these conferences in the US that all the lists talk about. Well, I can but dream.”

© Danielle Hollister (2004) is the Publisher of the Free Ezine for Writers featuring news, reviews, and continuously updated links to the best resources for writers online like - freelancing & jobs, markets & publishers, literary agents, classes & contests, and more… Read it online at - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art157.asp

Among the biggest of the United States third-party companies offering club membership programs is a business called Trilegiant. So, guided by Nathaniel Lipman, its President and CEO, the business leverages its experience and reputation to interface with several service and retail names, retail, travel, dental, entertainment, and customer guarantee services, in order to make sure you have a better time buying.

It would be fair to say that Trilegiant has more than enough experience. Opening its doors for the first time over thirty five years ago, Trilegiant began in the state of Connecticut and now operates 8 facilities spread across an even half dozen states with a three thousand strong staff on hand to solve any questions. More than 25 million members distributed throughout America employ Trilegiant’s initiatives as of now.

Be sure you hop over to this splendid webpage for Nathaniel Lipman pointers

The reputation of this company comes from risk-free packages, making it easy for clients to cut corners and purchase valuable products and services. Projects such as Buyers Advantage offer customers easy access to cheap long term warranties, return guarantees, and repair cost insurance so they can be sure acquisitions are protected. Alternative schemes like HealthSaver offer quality healthcare that won’t break the bank, and that only mentions a pair of the excellent programs that the company offers. It is those frequent occasions when their attention turns to the home community that Trilegiant and Lipman’s dream shines. One-off programs coming from inside the firm even by small collections of the workforce can regularly generate donations of thirty thousand dollars in a scant 5 days — certainly an accomplishment worth taking note of. The company researches into areas of importance to the public. Did you know that in 2005 alone there were roughly six million four hundred and twenty thousand documented road accidents in the United States of America alone? Trilegiant does — and it worries them. This number does not include all of the fender benders which go unrecorded or any of the incidents of “road rage” that happen every year. To help prevent clients and their families from being included in these figures, a car club by the name of Autovantage started to distribute yearly “road rage” data nearly three years ago. Here, Autovantage reveals important and helpful tips designed to raise public awareness concerning these serious matters. And so there you have it; Trilegiant, a fantastic exemplar of a business which comprehends how important the state of its community truly is. Offering services innovated to enhance customers’ retail experiences and a real embracing of the community’s causes they demonstrate just where their interests lie. In summary, they are the perfect example of a customer assistance oriented business.

The company Trilegiant counts itself among the best known third party North American service providers overseeing club membership services. In partnership with several names, a significant proportion major companies in shopping, health, entertainment, consumer protection services in addition to others - Trilegiant sets out to improve your buying experience.

This firm isn’t new, remember. Operating out of the town of Norwalk in Connecticut, the business started trading in the early seventies and its growth since has reached schemes in a full six states, 8 locations, and just over 3000 well trained employees. Today, they provide services to over twenty five million customers distributed throughout America. The business made its name for its risk free packages which make it easy for consumers to make savings, access high quality services, as well as making your shopping smoother. Examining one example, the Buyers Advantage scheme offers cheaper insurance on extended warranties, guaranteed returns, and repair costs, thus ensuring their confidence as regards their purchase. Other projects such as HealthSaver provide quality healthcare on a decent budget, and that only covers a pair of the great programs that the company oversees.

It is those times when the company gives back to the neighborhood that Trilegiant and Nathaniel Lipman’s dream can shine. Individual events organized inside the company even by small groups of workmates can generate charitable donations of $30.000 in around 5 days - certainly a result worth paying attention to.

Every bit as essential to Trilegiant is educating members. Had you read that in 2005 there were roughly 6,420,000 recorded automobile accidents just in the United States? The company does - and they’ve given it some thought. The real figure is significantly higher - we can’t measure the undocumented collisions, and “accidents” don’t include incidents of “road rage”. As a way to help prevent motor users from becoming part of these numbers, a car discount club called Autovantage commenced publishing its yearly “road rage” data two years ago. In these surveys, they reveal essential and carefully compiled summaries compiled to raise your awareness about these important topics.

Lipman’s Trilegiant is a perfect example of a firm which comprehends the significance of its subscribers and community. Nathaniel Lipman’s staff members marry devotion to charitable goals and their efforts to educate the populace with their projects aimed at improving the general public’s buying experiences. They’re every bit what you’d desire from a customer subscription based company.

Please hop over to this terrific reliable source for Henry Kravis products…

Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was founded by Henry Kravis and his business partner George Roberts in the 1970’s with support from the First Chicago Corporation. But recently they have established a novel project that centers not solely on how lucrative a company is, but likewise on how environmentally aware each of the companies in their portfolio currently are. Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co’s Henry Kravis and the non-profit Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) joined forces a year ago, intending to make green business practices a widely accepted principle. They was forged to campaign against critical environmental matters, for instance toxic emissions, hazardous chemical use, overblown water consumption, and toxic waste.

To follow through with these goals, they utilize eco-efficiency which uses techniques like increasing the durability of products, fuel economy, and reducing the waste of resources. Although the project was an enormous success, no-one realized how incredible the effects were until Ken Mehlman, the executive responsible for the program, carried out the first annual review. Capping all expectations, Ken learned that the Green Portfolio Project not only enhanced environmental responsibility, but also increased the profitability of each business organization as well. At the time of writing, Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co and Ken Mehlman have virtually all of their companies engaged in the program. Still, when you consider that the group has a 2009 business portfolio with a value of 86,000,000,000 dollars, you can be sure this was no easy see what an enormous feat this is. KKR with the Environmental Defense Fund along with Ken Mehlman are further extending the Green Portfolio project. For instance, Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co got together with the EDF’s Climate Corps Program which instructs MBA interns how to encourage financially sound, green principles. Moreover, Ken Mehlman has been in close collaboration with Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co to develop analytic tools that business organizations can employ to quantify and oversee a number of resources. These products allow employees to measure their progress and identify any practices which may need some work. Henry Kravis, the KKC, and the Environmental Defense Fund have encouraged all sorts of businesses to go green. Their developments have made decreasing their ecological impact less problematic for organizations in every sector and demonstrated that running a profitable business need not entail the hefty price of damaging the environment.

Are they really free? Are they actually helpful?

Why do writers subscribe to these lists?

Why do people start lists for writers?

While there’s no definite answers to any of those questions, I can share some opinions of other writers, who have participated in discussion lists, and links to websites with more information so you can make your own decision!

First let’s start with the basics. An email discussion list is not the same as an ezine, an email newsletter or an announcement list.

A discussion list is different because it allows you as a subscriber to post your own messages, as well as read and reply to messages from other subscribers. The ability to interact with other people is the defining feature of email discussion lists.

Many such lists exist - some with as few as 5 subscribers and others with more than 500 subscribers. The number of posts each day varies just as much depending upon the list.

For example, Childrens-Writers List which is dedicated to the discussion of writing (and illustrating) for children, including such topics as creativity, work styles and techniques, marketing and promotion, dealing with rejection, etc. - has more than 500 members and had more than 1,200 postings last month.

While the Romance Writers Support Group, which was created to discuss romance writing and offer encouragement and advice to romance writers, had less than 100 messages posted between its 34 members in the year 2000.

This is one of the reasons that most email discussion list hosts offer subscribers the option to receive individual emails or a daily digest of all messages. Some hosts also allow subscribers to read the list only on the web (by logging into the list archives at the host site, subscribers can choose how often they read the postings).

You never know what you may learn from others, who share your interests and goals. By communicating with other writers via discussion lists, you can potentially find support, advice, ideas and new resources.

Just as list size and posting frequency varies, the content and quality of messages are equally diverse depending upon the other participants and list owners. But the only way you’ll find out if discussion lists can be beneficial to you, is by giving them a shot! You have nothing to lose - most are free! And you’re usually not required to post messages or respond to others’ messages, if you choose not to.

You can just sign up, read postings at your leisure and then decide whether you want to contribute or cancel your subscription!

Selecting a discussion list that will deliver what you want is obviously a subjective process. However, you may want to read some opinions of other writers, who have participated in various lists.

So why do writers subscribe to discussion lists?

“Subscribing to a writers list is the same as shopping for new shoes,” says “Shydove.” “It takes trial and error, but then you find the right group, the ‘write’ answers of which you can pick and choose at will.”

“I chose a diverse group of writers in A Writing Parent as I am a stay at home grandmother.” Shydove added. “New to online writing, and still seeking my muse and genre, there are varied questions I ask that someone is ready to answer. They have been more than willing to share their experience with me.”

“I generally subscribe because I want to be kept in touch but will not remember to visit as a favourite as mine are so many,” says Jennifer Francis, who is currently subscribed to a few lists. “I am a member of two or three good ones covering public relations, sponsorship and sometimes the others present interesting articles and/or links. But convenience is the main issue for me to be kept in touch. I think it is an efficient way of being informed of a variety of thing that would take days of scanning newspapers, magazines and the fabulous opportunity of getting another take from likeminded people around the world.”

“I’m a debut historical romance author, or at least I was when I joined the Tobeez email loop,” says Cheré Coen, Online features editor for The Advocate Online. “Tobeez stands for To Be Published. The group began when a few newly published romance authors began chatting online and realized there were many things new authors needed to know and that other new authors could benefit from such a network. This list has been my saving grace. I have learned so many things that only come from going to conferences, chapter meetings of the Romance Writers of America (which I’m a member) and from doing a lot of reading in industry magazines, none of which I have much time or money for. We exchange information about promotions, booksignings, contract negotiations, agents, editors, press kits, personal fears and good reviews, among much more. The list contains members from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and most of the United States, and because of this we are also able to share information on research for upcoming novels.”

“I’m subscribed to a half dozen lists related to books, writing, and publishing,” says Peggy Tibbetts, Author of Carly’s Ghost and Rumors of War. “Booklocker’s online promotion kit and “Secrets of Our Success” both recommend discussion lists as a good way to promote online to a broad audience. What I’ve found to be rather curious in reality is that there is a surprisng number of list subscribers who deeply resent promotional posts by other subscribers, some to the point of calling them spam. As a result lots of posts are generated arguing and complaining about the propriety of promotional posts. In the end, what’s more aggravating, deleting one promo post that doesn’t interest you or eight to ten posts bickering over it? Seems like a no brainer to me. I don’t understand why someone would subscribe to a list and then complain about promo content related to the subject matter. In my mind, part of the purpose of subscribing is to learn what’s new and what others are doing online–a means of sharing. If that involves promo posts, then so be it. Perhaps it’s incumbent on the list moderators to clarify for their subscribers whether promo posts are acceptable. Obviously everyone agrees that a promo post about a new weight loss program on a publish list is inappropriate. But as for promo posts related to the list topic, there’s currently a good deal of ambiguity, even controversy.”

“I began an “Intranet” site rather than a listserv, as I felt that this would enable people to chime in on their own accord, rather than filling an inbox …” says Julie Selman, Seattle Writergrrl, Webgrrl, Techwr-L’er, Woman of the Woods… “My husband is an active member of a listserv that has been a real community for him for years. These people share the same passion, and they are very, very involved. They will be meeting in the spring for the first time at a conference that they are setting up. I know that he and I will be looking forward to it. Drawbacks that we have both seen is that we feel guilty if we have not read all of the listserv — and we both subscribe to listservs in digest form. Cross postings do happen, especially if you belong to several listservs for the same community. Managing them is more time than either of us usually have. People on some of the lists are not aware of the “etiquette” of cut and paste — or don’t know how to sign up or get off, or how the communication works — or about propriety … some things you just don’t post to an entire list! Lurkers are an issue — how do you know what you are posting won’t get back at you in some way? Who is listening, anyway? On the more positive side, it is a constant source for information and contacts in areas that interest us. They can be deleted, and often the archives can be visited on some associated web site. Like the early days of bulletin boards, I would imagine that these lists will evolve, and some of the issues will “fall away.”

© Danielle Hollister (2004) is the Publisher of the Free Ezine for Writers featuring news, reviews, and continuously updated links to the best resources for writers online like - freelancing & jobs, markets & publishers, literary agents, classes & contests, and more… Read it online at - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art157.asp

Facebook has reached the 350 million-user mark now. The social networking site that is a hugely popular way to interact with friends, relatives, colleagues and even strangers was started five years ago by Mark Zuckerberg. The hugely popular site has now become an indispensable part of social life for millions of people across the world.

The social networking site is now used by about of the total number of broadband users worldwide. Reports from GigaOM show a slight drop in the new user signup rate though. The latest 50m users signed up in over 77 days, as against 62 days taken by the previous 50m sign up. Even as this slowdown is evident in the sign up figures, the site has reported positive cash flows for the first time in September.

Given these developments, Zuckerberg and his team is paying some serious attention to making Facebook a successful business venture and focus on future growth. According to reports from Computer Weekly, Facebook stocks rose by 42 per cent in the July to November phase. Shares on private exchanges were going for $21, taking the value of common shares to about $9.5bn. Some stocks may be sold over the next one or one and a half year period.

In his open letter announcing Facebook’s 350m user mark, Zuckerberg also revealed some new features and privacy control settings that will be implemented across the site soon. These will allow users to control their content better in the sense that each individual piece of content can be given different privacy settings. In addition, privacy control settings will be made much simpler and easier to use.

Whether you are concerned about internet safety or just the safety of your download limits getting the broadband deal that is right for you can be a juggling act. If you choose your broadband provider through Broadband Genie, you will be given all the information you need about each supplier on their easy to use comparison table to help you choose the best broadband for you.

Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was founded in the 1970’s and initially their main business was in highly leveraged transactions. But just last year they have set up a novel green proposal which focuses not solely on profitability, but also on the environmental impact of the companies they invest in.

Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co’s Henry Kravis and the non-profit environmental advocacy group Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) joined forces a year ago, with the goal of making environmentally friendly business practices an acknowledged idea. These companies was forged to oppose fundamental environmental issues, including water pollution, soil contamination, inordinate water consumption, and toxic waste.

To accomplish these goals, they employ eco-efficiency; this involves concepts like improving fuel economy through vehicle fleet maintenance, optimizing data centers for efficiency, and reducing the dispersion of toxic chemicals. Although the project was a tremendous success, managment just didn’t understand how far reaching the results actually were until Ken Mehlman, the executive in charge of the Green Portfolio Project, carried out the first annual review. Only then did Ken Mehlman discover that using eco-efficiency wasn’t solely helping to preserve the local environment, but in addition it was saving firms a significant sum of money. These days, Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co and Ken Mehlman have nearly all of their firms participating in eco-efficiency techniques. When you think about the fact that this portfolio of businesses is worth $86 billion, you can see what an enormous accomplishment this is. The original Green Portfolio project has evolved far beyond its initial remit and today encompasses new opportunities. The Climate Corps Program administered by the Environmental Defense Fund is an example of this, it advances eco-efficient techniques to students studying for an MBA. Of Late, Ken Mehlman has collaborated closely with Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co to create metrics and other applicable products that companies can employ to quantify and oversee assorted resources. These metrics allow employees to measure their progress and discover any problem areas. Henry Kravis, the KKR, and the Environmental Defense Fund are genuine visionaries in the business world. In summary, these systems have made green business techniques not only viable, but commercially desirable, and their novel ideas are setting a new standard in today’s world.

We all know that giving your time as a volunteer lets you strengthen the bonds of your community and at the same go assist the needy. Of course, freeing up the time to volunteer is liable to to consume some of that very same free time. Obviously, if you volunteer as part of a group effort with friends or co-workers, it’s likely to be more enjoyable. This is a call, then, for other companies to follow the lead of far-sighted firms like Connecticut’s Adaptive Marketing LLC. As well as programs like Passport to Fun (MVQ*PASSPRT2FUN) created for the benefit of consumers, Adaptive Marketing organizes local volunteer activity so that its employees have more time to reach out to the community. If you were asked for examples of company-backed volunteer work, you’d most likely talk in terms of blood drives, maybe a Christmas call for donations, nothing more, but this is simply no longer true. The employees of Adaptive Marketing have been provided with opportunities to get involved in community initiatives. Once all the information — date, location, time, specifics, etc — had been clearly posted it has become very simple for employees to settle the specific amount of time they could give and what they’d be doing as they did so.

Giving volunteers their say in which drives the company sponsors is important. Staff members from Adaptive Marketing, the company that offers the membership program Passport to Fun (MVQ*PASSPRT2FUN), can select from a great many events. You’ll soon see your staff helping out young adults, community projects in culture, green initiatives etc. The result is that Adaptive Marketing volunteers have the opportunity to use their time as efficiently as possible and enjoy joining in the process. Usually a company-supported volunteer initiative — fundraising with a homeless shelter, for example, or assisting at a local school — is either done on a regular schedule or as a one-off event. No matter how little time you have, there’s going to be some program to suit, which makes time no block against volunteering. Turning their profit-making skills to the benefit of the community around them is a practice with a long pedigree at many commercial enterprises. Adaptive Marketing supports volunteer programs in part to spread goodwill through the local community as a result of the efforts of its staff members. Something that volunteer work is sure to do is provide your staff with a reason to feel good, which creates a motivated company.

Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was founded by Henry Kravis and his partner George Roberts in the mid-seventies with the assistance of the First Chicago Corporation. But going on, aiming to make the companies in their portfolio greener and more profitable to boot, they have set up an extraordinary green enterprise that has completely transformed the method by which business concerns and environmental activists function.

When Henry Kravis from KKR and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) merged in 2008 environmental issues all of a sudden turned into a mainstream concern. The coalition was forged to help resolve some fundamental environmental matters, for example depletion of the ozone layer, toxic chemical use, enormous consumption of water resources, and hazardous chemicals. Eco-efficiency (a term initially used by the WBCSD) is the method employed to achieve these objectives, applying techniques such as increasing the durability of products, reducing the dispersion of toxic chemicals and using clean energy. Irrespective of the fact that the project was an enormous success, no-one understood how far reaching the consequences truly were until Ken Mehlman, the executive responsible for the project, reviewed the numbers for the first 12 months.

For more information, you are advised to inspect our comprehensive site for Henry Kravis advice.

Ken Mehlman who practiced environmental law for Akin Gump Stauss Hauer & Feld, has also served as Chief of Staff for Texas 12th Congressional District Representative Kay Granger, was appointed to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council in 2007 and currently serves as a member of the executive leadership cabinet of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Foundation, the Council on Foreign Relations Climate Change Task Force, and the board of directors at the National Endowment for Democracy, discovered that eco-efficiency was not solely lessening environmental impact, but it was also helping to save a colossal range of businesses a great deal of money, making the program virtually an immediate success. Up to now, KKR and Ken Mehlman have virtually every associated company involved in eco-efficiency. If you think about the fact that the group is valued at virtually $100 billion dollars, you can imagine what an enormous achievement this really is. The Green Portfolio project has developed far beyond its basic purpose and nowadays includes new opportunities. To illustrate, Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co got together with the Environmental Defense Fund’s Climate Corps Program an organization that teaches students studying for a Master’s degree in Business Administration how to introduce cost-effective, environmentally friendly practices.

KKR and Ken Mehlman have been creating metrics which quantify and manage resources. Systems like these can assess an organization’s environmental impact and identify any underlying problems. The business world has been changed by the environmentally centered work of Henry Kravis, the KKC, and the Environmental Defense Fund. These fresh ideas have made reducing their ecological impact less complicated for business organizations in any industry and shown the world that running a profitable business need not entail the hefty price of negatively impacting our planet.

Pass into your nearest city early in the daybreak and you’ll see a number of applied sweepers on the roads tidying up the mess left from all the shenanigans of last night. It’s a typical early morning scene, especially the beeping noise! We don’t actually give rubbish a second thought as we feel keeping the streets unlittered is not our problem.

Yet, there is a sometimes imperceptible yet substantial impact litter plays on human psychology. Individuals are more likely to think an area is lacking law and order if litter is lying around, and therefore felons see litter as a potential indication for a chance of a break-in, a mugging, or car-theft. The same signal creates some fear in other individuals who are concerned they may be walking through a more risky area and are concerned about possibly being assaulted.

There’s also the impact on the aesthetic attraction of an area. Litter strewn around can make an area seem unkempt even if it’s only been trashed by party revellers from the night before. This can hurt the reputation of a location if individuals are only within the location for this specific short period of time and only view it in its littered state.

There’s no purpose to drop rubbish if there are empty litter bins within the area. If there are no rubbish bins, or the rubbish bins that are there are stuffed, this is a problem to take up with the local council. Trashing an area has a damaging impact on everybody.