Have you seen 'The Truman Show'?

[elisi]

"Hi honey. Look at this. It's a 'Chef's-Mate'. Dicer, slicer and peeler in one. Never needs sharpening. Dishwasher safe."

You know the whole 'strike-thru' thing was beginning to bore me. Yes they handled it badly, but child porn is a serious issue, and they've tried to address the problems. It's not ideal, but we are talking about very delicate, complicated stuff here.

But... then I saw this. (Diet Pepsi MAX has created some special stuff just for LJ in the hopes that you'll want to try their new drink that has zero calories, ginseng and extra caffeine. The HELL? My response here)

I mean I knew they'd sold out, but this is just... *boggles* Actually, you know what it is? It's a Trojan horse. And the really galling thing is that they're showing it off saying 'Oh look at the cute horsey!' We all know what's inside. Why is there no mood for 'insulted'? (Yes I know I can write it in the little box beside the mood, it just occurred to me that it should come as standard...)

I have children to get up (as in - force to get dressed), so I'll end with another quote from 'The Truman Show'. If you have never seen this film, then get it - *today*! It is brilliant on multiple levels, and right now? It provides some kickass references. (Yes we bought the script!)

INTERVIEWER: And since the show runs 24 hours a day with no commercial breaks the staggering profits are all generated from product placement.
CHRISTOF: Yes, everything you see on the show is for sale - from the actor's wardrobe, food products, to the very homes they live in--
INTERVIEWER: All products carefully chosen and tested by you for quality and aesthetic value.
CHRISTOF: There's nothing on the show I don't use myself.
INTERVIEWER: And it's all available in the 'Truman Show' catalogue. Operators are standing by.

ETA: And here we were, thinking that their April 1st post was a joke...

Comments

[gillo]

I am really not impressed by product placement and the invitation to spam our flist with adverts like that. As for the free dollar to give virtual gifts with - it made me wonder if they've had a huge slump in revenue from that source. I know I saw a lot of people saying they wouldn't give any more back during Strikethrough, just as they said they wouldn't renew paid accounts. Perhaps it's starting to hurt?

I must admit I've decided not to give flowers and suchlike in that way any more. I have a paid account which doesn't expire for a fair while, but I'm not at all sure I want 6A to have anymore of my money, especially for gimmicks.

Perhaps we should create a button saying "No thanks to product placement" which we can post to make sure we don't get any of these things?

[elisi]

I know I saw a lot of people saying they wouldn't give any more back during Strikethrough, just as they said they wouldn't renew paid accounts. Perhaps it's starting to hurt?
Could be. Hopefully they'll realise that this strategy has only made things worse.

My paid account doesn't expire until May (I think), but I don't know if I can survive without my icons (seriously, they were a major reason I got a LJ in the first place... I am oh so shallow. *hangs head in shame* And no, having up to 300 on IJ is *not* the same).

Perhaps we should create a button saying "No thanks to product placement" which we can post to make sure we don't get any of these things?
But we shouldn't *have* to! *grumbles*