Its been several months since the original Cupcake Paradigm post came out, and I have formalized some additional information.
Yes- Yes, the position of a cupcake can be used to induce a bad decision.
The names of the (psuedo) innocent have been changed for this story.
A month after the original cupcake paradigm was released, I began to formulate a plan. I wanted to see how psychologically powerful the draw of cupcake position was.
So- I hatched a plan. I searched far and wide for commercial cupcakes with foil wrappers that actually conduct electricity. Store clerks were indeed confused as to why I was testing their cupcakes with an ohmeter, but it was critical that the foils resistance was low.
Finally, at a local King Supers, I located a tray of 16 pink cupcakes with foil wrappers. The foil conducted electricity adequately and I was ready.
I acquired a DC transformer from a discarded mobile phone charger, a 9v battery connector and a spool of wire from a local Radio Shack.
I was ready to launch my plan. I connected the battery and wires to the transformers, and touched the outgoing contacts- the electrical shock was sufficient to make me jump, and think twice about the ethics of my experiment. I decided, however, that science- and humor must go on.
I bifurcated the foil wrapper, carefully separating it vertically. I then attached the contacts to the wires, and promised a lunch in exchange for a friend testing it (the lunch was delicious).
I strategically placed the shocking wires and unit in such a way that anyone could clearly see that the cupcake was electrified.
I placed the electric cupcake in the number one position and went to watch.
45 minutes later, Chuck came in and attempted to acquire that cupcake. He seemed oddly surprised that the cupcake shocked him, and tried again. Finally, he settled on the number five position cupcake.
20 minutes passed and another came to the tray. He observed the wires for a moment, and tried for the cupcake. He was shocked and recoiled his hand. Then he tried again. And again. And again. Charley tried no less than seven times before walking away disgruntled.
Each of the six people that approached the tray observed the wires and still tried for the electric cupcake. Most of them tried twice for reasons unknown before settling on another cupcake. Only one person walked away.
What can we learn from this? I think that the second installment of the Cupcake Paradigm teaches us that the position and possible aggressive nature of a cupcake makes it overwhelmingly desirable.
It is obvious that weather by the position, or curiosity, the electric cupcake fared amazingly compared to its non-electric counterparts.
The other lesson I learned is that I am no longer permitted to bring cupcakes home. Ever.
Yes- Yes, the position of a cupcake can be used to induce a bad decision.
The names of the (psuedo) innocent have been changed for this story.
A month after the original cupcake paradigm was released, I began to formulate a plan. I wanted to see how psychologically powerful the draw of cupcake position was.
So- I hatched a plan. I searched far and wide for commercial cupcakes with foil wrappers that actually conduct electricity. Store clerks were indeed confused as to why I was testing their cupcakes with an ohmeter, but it was critical that the foils resistance was low.
Finally, at a local King Supers, I located a tray of 16 pink cupcakes with foil wrappers. The foil conducted electricity adequately and I was ready.
I acquired a DC transformer from a discarded mobile phone charger, a 9v battery connector and a spool of wire from a local Radio Shack.
I was ready to launch my plan. I connected the battery and wires to the transformers, and touched the outgoing contacts- the electrical shock was sufficient to make me jump, and think twice about the ethics of my experiment. I decided, however, that science- and humor must go on.
I bifurcated the foil wrapper, carefully separating it vertically. I then attached the contacts to the wires, and promised a lunch in exchange for a friend testing it (the lunch was delicious).
I strategically placed the shocking wires and unit in such a way that anyone could clearly see that the cupcake was electrified.
I placed the electric cupcake in the number one position and went to watch.
45 minutes later, Chuck came in and attempted to acquire that cupcake. He seemed oddly surprised that the cupcake shocked him, and tried again. Finally, he settled on the number five position cupcake.
20 minutes passed and another came to the tray. He observed the wires for a moment, and tried for the cupcake. He was shocked and recoiled his hand. Then he tried again. And again. And again. Charley tried no less than seven times before walking away disgruntled.
Each of the six people that approached the tray observed the wires and still tried for the electric cupcake. Most of them tried twice for reasons unknown before settling on another cupcake. Only one person walked away.
What can we learn from this? I think that the second installment of the Cupcake Paradigm teaches us that the position and possible aggressive nature of a cupcake makes it overwhelmingly desirable.
It is obvious that weather by the position, or curiosity, the electric cupcake fared amazingly compared to its non-electric counterparts.
The other lesson I learned is that I am no longer permitted to bring cupcakes home. Ever.