Positive vs Negative Reinforcements . . .

Pete and I were at the mall this weekend to buy some proper running shoes.  (I know!  Running?  Me?  What the heck?  I won't say too much, because the minute I do I'll jinx myself and the desire to ever run again will quickly leave me.  Although now that we've sunk money into good shoes for both of us, we have an extra incentive not to flake out.)  *ahem*  Anyway, we were at the mall to buy running shoes when this sign by the food court stopped me in my tracks.

Diabetes? A heart attack could be right around the corner.
(click picture to enlarge)

To be honest, I felt like someone was kicking me when I was down.  My disappointment must have been pretty apparent, because Pete suggested I snap a picture with my iPhone and write a post about it.

I don't know if you can see it in the sign, but the web-site advertised is DiabetesActNow.org.  If I hadn't taken the picture and decided to write this post, I know seeing this sign would never have prompted me to visit the site.  That's a shame, because it is a pretty slick site.  It has two main focuses - information or "simple answers", and tips or "easy actions".  I found the content a bit basic for me, but I can see it being a great tool for the newly diagnosed or for someone who has ignored their diabetes for years but is ready to start over.  At the end of each "easy action" video is a button marked "I'll Try It".  If you click that you can sign up for email reminders and access to your own Easy Action page where you can track your progress.

All in all, I can see the value of this site.  I also appreciate the education this sign is trying to bring, but I can't help wishing such a positive web-site had reached out with a more positive sign.  I understand that some feel scare tactics and the shock factor are great attention-getters.  They may be, but the idea of a heart-attack jumping out at me from behind the next corner is not going to motivate me to visit an advertised site.  I'd rather see an image of a person putting some of their "easy action" tips to use and taking positive steps to prevent heart disease.  Something like that is more apt to put me in information-seeking mode.

What do you think?  Was I just cranky that day and over-reacting to the sign?  Are negative reinforcements worthwhile for the attention they generate?  Or do we need to start demanding more positive reinforcements?  Are you tired of feeling like diabetes ads love to kick us when we're down?