In Response to Doug Kendall

Doug asked; Do you feel as if the two names are too close and there is a trademarking issue? These seems to be a lot that is unknown about trademarking, how can rules and regulations of trademarking be better cleared up to the public or start-up business owners?

I agree that the names are close, but technically they are written and represented differently, which makes this a difficult case. I would have to say that yes, there is a trade-marking issue. When speaking the names aloud, they are obviously identical and in my opinion, it is too close of a resemblance.

I would say that regulations could help if some sort of database was kept so that people could check beforehand to see if a name or slogan has already been taken, sort of like when you make a name on a message forum. I think that this is an easy step that could clear up a lot of confusion and headaches.

Cognitive Dissonance

I thought it would be fitting for me to write about this because I experienced this feeling earlier today. I was on a short break at work and was sitting in the break room. I noticed that I was thirsty and I saw the Pepsi machine across the room and thought to my self that it would be really awesome to have an iced tea right now. So expecting that I would feel instantly refreshed by an ice cold beverage I walked over and bought a can of iced tea for sixty cents. After one sip, my thirst had been quenched and I didn't really have any desire to finish the can. I felt like I could have gone without that can of tea and just saved myself the sixty cents and the change from the dollar I had to break. It's pretty sad that I thought about this purchase of an iced tea this much, but I guess if I had to feel cognitive dissonance about something, regretting a sixty-cent purchase is better than something more expensive.

Have you felt cognitive dissonance about anything lately? Why did you regret the decision?