We were watching television last night and a commercial for My Lil' Reminder came on. This has to be one of the stupidest ads I have seen in recent memory. Watch the video on the homepage, it is the same ad that ran on television. Notice how you apparently have to hold the product up in the air and tilt your head at an awkward angle while having an astute look on your face like you are smarter than all of those simpletons who have not yet discovered the wonderful world of My Lil' Reminder.
How is it that infomercials are successful? Are we really a bunch of morons who believe that some little piece of crap product for $9.99 plus $6.99 for shipping and handling is going to make all the difference in our existence? Ever notice how these commercials make even the simplest of tasks seem extremely difficult when not using their product? Ever seen the commercial with the lady struggling to make a pot of pasta the old way? Never fear, with Pasta Pronto you can say goodbye to dangerous splashes and spills. Or how about the Life Alert commercial where the lady in the highwater jeans struggles to reach out for a phone which sadly is nowhere within her reach? Tweezing the old way is apparently darn near impossible, but thanks to LumaTweeze all your tweezing will be thorough and pain-free. Also are we more likely to buy their crappy product if there is a British guy extolling its virtures or Billy Mays is talking loud and moving his hands a lot? Keep in mind I am not against invention or innovation, I just think the marketing of these products is a bit silly.
On the other hand these commercials must be somewhat effective, I remembered enough about the products to Google them. That's another fun subject for another time, but I wonder what new proper noun will become a verb in the near future. Will anyone ever Travis something? If they do, I hope it is a nice thing. Back on point, why have we become a society that knows more about cheap products hawked by Billy Mays than what is going on in our world?
I watched the Glenn Beck Show tonight on Headline News. I highly recommend that others tune in to his radio or television program. He is entertaining while putting issues out for the public's consideration. If you listen to him very long, you will be convinced that the world is going to hell in a handbasket (whatever that phrase means, oh wait), but at least he makes it entertaining. Another show I am high on is the Dave Ramsey Show. I'm a bit of a financial nerd, so this is a natural fit. But really both of these guys speak about more than current events and money, respectively. They both touch on personal responsibility, having a clue what is going on in your world (be it political or financial), and appreciating your family and those closest to you.
By the way, I'm going to be a dad (again). I'm excited. Emma has really been a delight, and I'm sure the next one will be even better now that we are figuring out this parenting thing and maybe won't screw up as much this time around. If that's the case, I better start reading up on fun things to do in Stockholm (the location of the Nobel awards) because as smart as Emma is the next one is likely to be a freakin' genius. Just today, a large yellow vehicle drove by our house and Emma said "bus." The kid is sharp.
To see the products listed above along with hundreds more please direct your browser here.
UPDATE:
Everyone remember how much I love "Damaged Guardrail" signs along the highway? (Refresher: Do those signs actually cause people to delay having an accident until there is a perfectly functional guardrail for them to strike?) Well the other day I saw a sign that read "Damaged Gaurdrail." Sadly the "End Road Work" signs seem to have little or no effect, construction keeps humming along.
How is it that infomercials are successful? Are we really a bunch of morons who believe that some little piece of crap product for $9.99 plus $6.99 for shipping and handling is going to make all the difference in our existence? Ever notice how these commercials make even the simplest of tasks seem extremely difficult when not using their product? Ever seen the commercial with the lady struggling to make a pot of pasta the old way? Never fear, with Pasta Pronto you can say goodbye to dangerous splashes and spills. Or how about the Life Alert commercial where the lady in the highwater jeans struggles to reach out for a phone which sadly is nowhere within her reach? Tweezing the old way is apparently darn near impossible, but thanks to LumaTweeze all your tweezing will be thorough and pain-free. Also are we more likely to buy their crappy product if there is a British guy extolling its virtures or Billy Mays is talking loud and moving his hands a lot? Keep in mind I am not against invention or innovation, I just think the marketing of these products is a bit silly.
On the other hand these commercials must be somewhat effective, I remembered enough about the products to Google them. That's another fun subject for another time, but I wonder what new proper noun will become a verb in the near future. Will anyone ever Travis something? If they do, I hope it is a nice thing. Back on point, why have we become a society that knows more about cheap products hawked by Billy Mays than what is going on in our world?
I watched the Glenn Beck Show tonight on Headline News. I highly recommend that others tune in to his radio or television program. He is entertaining while putting issues out for the public's consideration. If you listen to him very long, you will be convinced that the world is going to hell in a handbasket (whatever that phrase means, oh wait), but at least he makes it entertaining. Another show I am high on is the Dave Ramsey Show. I'm a bit of a financial nerd, so this is a natural fit. But really both of these guys speak about more than current events and money, respectively. They both touch on personal responsibility, having a clue what is going on in your world (be it political or financial), and appreciating your family and those closest to you.
By the way, I'm going to be a dad (again). I'm excited. Emma has really been a delight, and I'm sure the next one will be even better now that we are figuring out this parenting thing and maybe won't screw up as much this time around. If that's the case, I better start reading up on fun things to do in Stockholm (the location of the Nobel awards) because as smart as Emma is the next one is likely to be a freakin' genius. Just today, a large yellow vehicle drove by our house and Emma said "bus." The kid is sharp.
To see the products listed above along with hundreds more please direct your browser here.
UPDATE:
Everyone remember how much I love "Damaged Guardrail" signs along the highway? (Refresher: Do those signs actually cause people to delay having an accident until there is a perfectly functional guardrail for them to strike?) Well the other day I saw a sign that read "Damaged Gaurdrail." Sadly the "End Road Work" signs seem to have little or no effect, construction keeps humming along.
1 comment:
AMEN! (You amaze me!)
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