NationStates Jolt Archive


Bloging the Idiot Review: Why I hate People...

Syniks
16-08-2005, 04:07
Is this a blog?

Ok. I’m a USian. I like being a USian. Of all the political systems out there it comes closest to my Libertarian way of thinking. However, I really hate most USians. Why? Because as a breed we are shallow, poorly educated, self absorbed, malcontent nogoodniks. Yes, as a group we can rise to the occasion and overcome tremendous obstacles to achieve noble ends, but IMO the US could use a good culling.

Let’s look at today’s most recent example of bald, inane stupidity.

I was called by a “research” firm to watch a video and answer some questions – the net result of which would be to qualify me for a “prize”. As long as I was not a member of a market research firm, advertising firm, or part of an organized market research/advert/PR department I could participate.

Oh, goody.

Well, though my degree is in those fields, I don’t really work in them… so I get to “participate” and see what kind of psychological games the “professional” marketeers are playing with the minds of the public.

So, today arrives the package, and contained within is a VHS tape and 2 “questionnaires”. The “questionnaires” are simple brand recognition/selection sets from which one is to choose “the product you would like to receive as a prize”.

Obviously, the test is to see if the product placement/advert on the tape is effective across multiple brand/product category distractors. In and of itself I don’t find this too intellectually offensive… however…

The video tape comes with instructions that say “This is a special tape – it erases as it plays. Do NOT rewind.”

Oh, really? What makes it so special? Is it that dorky little high gauss magnet that you have “hidden” under the black tape near capistan #2? The one I took out immediately to keep from dislodging into my VCR? Morons.

Ok. Watch the tape. It is your basic, formula, inane, vapid, senseless, clichéd, racially offensive (bad accents), “Prime Time” situation comedy tripe. 30 minutes of drivel punctuated by commercials. Exactly what the USian public loves (watching network TV should be fatal…) Oh yay. Ha ha. There was exactly ONE semi-funny joke – and it was so uninspiring that I can’t even remember it.

So, back to the Questionaire #2. Product preference again. Oh wait! Look at this! It’s almost exactly the same as the first one in except for the very first “question” which is about (gasp) one of (and the only one of) the products advertised in the “spots” included with the show. Gee, I wonder who paid for this bit of “research”? :rolleyes:

Do they really think the majority of their “testees” are dumb enough to fall for this? Unfortunately, probably so, because they probably are. :( As a student of Psycholinguistics and the means and methods of manipulating population groups through Media, I can see it from a dozen miles away, but IME, most USians can’t. :mad:

Frankly, it sickens me. Stupidity should be terminal. Sheeple (Left and Right) are far too willing to let others think for them.

[raving survivalist mode] That’s largely why I’m (semi)eagerly awaiting WWIII just so we can clear out some of the dead wood. [/raving survivalist mode]

Please. You tell me your “magic VCR tape” will self-erase then assume I won’t try to sabotage the “magic”?

I really hate idiots who assume I am also an idiot… :sniper:

What can be done about this sort of thing? I know "you can never go wrong by overestimating the stupidity of the public", bit that just sounds like a good excuse for forced laobur camps to me...

Is there any reason NOT to try toprotect the species by culling HomoStupidis from our midst?