What would you do for a Klondike Bar?
There must be another post in this blog on that! If I took it down, read this one.
People like attention. When attention is sought in socially acceptable ways, it can be rewarding and satisfying. But we are human, so when attention is sought in unacceptable ways, in some cases, all hell can break loose.
In the commercials, people would do humilating things for a Klondike bar, but not dangerous. Attention at any cost, rewards at any cost? Years ago, the consumers' market bought the commercial and the product.
Klondike bars and humans are subject to meltdowns when immediate attention is sought and not given or is found wanting. What does an ice cream bar do while waiting for you to make contact? What do people do?
The television series, Carrie, is trending. Why I ask? Stephen King is a prolific writer, but he is not prolife.
Using new vocabulary, while teaching my second grade students, I encouraged them to expand their horizons.
https://youtube.com/shorts/3DKEKBTeLdA?is=1JidwIquNJVJrVN0
Stephen King gets a lot of attention, but not for great reasons. His characters maim and kill. We read and watch train wrecks for pleasure?
Connect some dots:
How do children seek attention? If they are mimicking Stephen King's characters at home, school or in the community, the attention would be for negative reasons. Experts warn about rewarding for negative behavior. We all have heard, "ignore it", correct? Should we really ignore all negative attention seeking behavior? Ask Colin Gray, he may have time now to answer.
For better or for worse, attention seekers will often do what it takes to make their needs known. Even a complete withdrawl brings attention. Acting out is standard operating procedure.
IRL:
At the train platform yesterday, a woman clearly in some sort of need, went from sitting on the bench to laying on the warm concrete, inches from the tracks. Two of us saw and responded very carefully. I started a chat for emergency assistance to the station and an employee, not on duty, called the security desk. I could tell, as the employee walked by me, since I was concerned, and heard his conversation to make sure it was a call for help. The woman resisted the employees first attempt to help. A CSR came out and she resisted him also. Then the policeman came and she did get up. He offered to call for help, she refused it. I had food to offer but I read the room. She was in no mood. Eventually she walked away from the tracks cursing at the helpers. My train came ( a few seconds later). People can refuse help, but she did get attention. And thankfully, she moved.
Why would someone lay near railroad tracks?
The online live chat asked questions and did follow up. We may have averted a crisis but did not solve other major issues for the woman. Hopefully, if a pattern emerges, the personnel at the station will notice and take more action.
Why do children act out? The problem may be simply resolved. Or as in the scenario above, a deeper dive is warranted.
It is important to read the room. Educational staff do have authority to act. Off duty police have been known to respond in a crisis (rescue and recovery).
What would you do for a Klondike bar?
If life were all about ice cream, it could still be hard.
Marian R. Carlino
October 14, 2026