Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: It's not OK to just make stuff up

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  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    I've noticed public radio mentioning studies warning of the ill-heath effects of television on children.

    One particular ad I found clever and helpful in several ways was the persil laundry powder ad, promoting dirt. Twas something along the line, eat dirt, get dirty, play outside in the dirt, (then don't forget Persil) I thought of the benefit to kids, and for future treatment should child maybe meet a homeless person (stereotype here), and the elimination of the cottonwool image that is often shown on other ads. Clever.
    Marketing (ads) is firstly about a target audience. If you get that right, you're dancing (and gaining the rep you are in the game for in the first place). There seems to be this archaic perception that "fear" will stop a problem or make one aware, so that approach is often used for awareness campaigns. "It's not ok" is a shift from "fear" and possibly that is why we relate to it better.I find the ad is also clever because it is meaningful to only those that need it (target audience) but not annoying to those who don't. I'll move along now.....

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso,

    No -- but if you're calling someone a sexist ignoramus, perhaps "softcock" is tonally a wee bit off.

    Yes, I could do without the stuff about the learning deficiencies too I must say.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    the persil laundry powder ad, promoting dirt

    I love that campaign. It's as smart as one of Microsoft's early goals: "a computer on every desk and in every home".

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • mark taslov,

    It's not ok to say she was asking for it,

    unless she was actually asking for you to buy that ticket

    http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2008/200812/20081209/article_383822.htm

    It's not ok to be cruel to your boy

    unless of course he rips off your life savings

    http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posted/archive/2008/11/03/going-postal-jerk-son-steals-fortune-flying-ferraris-and-a-soup-kitchen-for-dogs.aspx

    It's not ok to control your family with threats

    Ice cream sales skyrocket as meat sales slump

    It's not ok to puch a hole in the wall to show your wife who's boss

    unless you're are boss of a renovation company who knows a bit of kung fu, you've just broken the head off the mallet and the guy is coming round in 30 minutes to redo the wiring.

    It's not ok to teach your kids that violence is the way to get what you want.

    David Tua rethinks life and backs out of lifeline boxing match for ethical reasons

    ..or make them feel scared in their own home

    horror video rentals plummet

    It's not ok to blame the drink

    except if it is actually the wine that caused that stain in the new carpet

    ...or use your culture as an excuse for what you know is wrong

    Governor general resigns post, Britain cuts all ties, returns the country to the maori people

    It's not ok that police in this country respond to a family violence incident every seven and a half minutes.

    statistics highlight that to fully cover the problem they should be responding every six minutes and forty seconds

    It's not ok to say it only happens in certain parts of society

    So be careful what you say

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report

  • 3410,

    Don't give up your day job.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

  • mark taslov,

    why not?

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report

  • Chuck Bird,

    “It's not ok to say it only happens in certain parts of society
    So be careful what you say”

    Mark, are you trying say that domestic violence happens at the same rate in higher socio economic homes where both parents are married to each other as it does in a home with a solo mother on a benefit and a live in boyfriend? If so where is your evidence?

    Since Apr 2007 • 55 posts Report

  • mark taslov,

    O, you mean what I just wrote wasn't very good : ( I'm sorry about that, I was just having a go.

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report

  • mark taslov,

    Chuck no, i was just attempting to write that final killer satirical post, that would bring me much acclaim and the impetus to give up my day job.

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report

  • mark taslov,

    Mark, are you trying say that domestic violence happens at the same rate in higher socio economic homes where both parents are married to each other as it does in a home with a solo mother on a benefit and a live in boyfriend?

    according to to the man, it's ok to say something like that

    If so where is your evidence?

    hidden in the penthouses of plush hotels, the parlors of renaissance palaces, and the women's toilets at ascot.

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report

  • Steve Parks,

    “It's not ok to say it only happens in certain parts of society
    So be careful what you say”

    Mark, are you trying say that domestic violence happens at the same rate in higher socio economic homes...>\

    No. He's quoting the ad, and the ad isn't saying anything about the rate of domestic violence in that part anyway. It's saying it isn't okay to brush off domestic violence as something that only happens in some "other" part of society.

    Anyway, I thought you said you weren't responding here anymore?

    Wellington • Since May 2007 • 1165 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    And thanks Steve for injecting some actual evidence into the "discussion" at Chuck's other home.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Chuck Bird,

    "It's saying it isn't okay to brush off domestic violence as something that only happens in some "other" part of society."

    Steve, that is exactly what you and Russell have been trying to do.

    Since Apr 2007 • 55 posts Report

  • mark taslov,

    brush off domestic violence as something that only happens in some "other" part of society?

    or say it isn't okay to brush off domestic violence as something that only happens in some "other" part of society?

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Now Kyle, I don't really want to drag you over coals for this, because I'm certain it happens everyday, but I did find it very interesting in light of your parents' respective professions. What witnessed crimes would you ordinarily not hesitate reporting to the police?

    1. Well, as I said a couple of times, I didn't witness anything apart from a crying child. I was told by another person what happened.

    2. I'm not sure what my parents' professions have to do with it. People whose parents do different jobs should feel less obligation to report crimes? Children of plumbers only have to report crimes which carry a jail sentence of more than three years?

    Kyle, if one of my children smacked one of their children when they deserved it in public I doubt if you would say anything. If you did you think twice before you meddled again. They would unlikely do anythink physical but they would let you know verbally to mind your own bloody business.

    I'm not sure if people getting physically or verbally aggressive is a good reason not to say something when you witness a child being hit. If anything, it sounds likely that it's a good reason to say something. If that's their attitude to other adults, it doesn't sound too good for the kids.

    All the same, if you could get your children to wear t-shirts that read "I believe it's OK to smack my children", that will make it easier to spot them and prepare my wee speech in advance.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Cool inventions - now there's something it's ok to make up.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Also, the law doesn't allow you to smack children 'when they deserve it'. Smacking children because you're pissed off with them takes us back to one of the statements in the advert which Russell appears in.

    If you're angry, go punch a punching bag, not another person.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • mark taslov,

    Sorry Kyle, I mentioned your parent's profession, because I was wondering if you're father had and had passed on any kind of sentiment about unreported crime and or citizens taking the law into their own hands.

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report

  • Islander,

    steven c - that's the neatest piece of Youpageness I've seen.

    When there are anger issues - to use the jargon- in my whanau, we tell people -kids/whomever- to go kick waves. And we mean it. But - beating sand with a rock or stick/hitting pillows/or really digging a shitload of earth will work as well. We're humans/hominims. We come from a primate ancestory. We NEED to be physical - a lot of us, well, actually nearly all of us - when we are angry, and we also need to vent our anger by sound.

    Yelling at cowered waves works for me (I get really angry about death and injustice and there's been plenty of that around, the last decade...)

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    The most likely way a middle aged woman would be infected would be by a closet bisexual partner often her husband. I think classing a closet bisexual who would put his wife at risk as dirty and filthy would be quite appropriate.

    Chuck: Putting anyone at risk of infection with any STD is far from admirable behaviour, but turning that into an occasion for your homophobia is so far beside the point its not really funny. I suspect unlike you, I've known people who've suffered terribly, and died, from HIV-AIDS so I'm not interested in buying into the bullshit arguments around deserving and undeserving victims, or gaming stats like you're trying to work out a system for winning at a casino. Pretty tacky when people's health, well-being and even their lives are at stake.

    I've also known (heterosexual) women who've suffered horrendous long-term health effects thanks to undiagnosed STD infections from so-called 'normal' men. Well, I call them dirty bastards, but whatever vicarious moral satisfaction I get from the name-calling doesn't really help. Does it?

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Chuck Bird,

    Craig, my main complaint is with the AIDS Foundation. They successfully lobbied to have screening stopped for immigrants. AIDS was predominately a homosexual disease in New Zealand until immigration was allowed. I have tried unsuccessfully to find out a reason for this lobbying. The only reason I can think of is they want to gain public support. If it can be shown heterosexuals are at risk this will help their case.

    “whatever vicarious moral satisfaction I get from the name-calling doesn't really help”

    On an individual basis you are correct. Anyone in a committed relationship particularly marriage who has high risk sex and infects their partner in my view is scum. High risk sex is homosexual sex. If my view was widely held public opinion this would have an effect like with drunk drivers.

    There is unlike to be an agreement any time soon if homosexuals are born that way. There is some evidence that there may be a predisposition that way. However, I cannot accept that people must have sex with men and women to lead a fulfilled life. This puts others at risk.

    I have no problem with homosexuals like you who are open and what to do their own thing. I do have problem with the militant homosexuals at the AIDS Foundation who put out misinformation for their own purposes.

    BTW – Have you read what Michael Coote has to say about the AIDS Foundation?

    Since Apr 2007 • 55 posts Report

  • Chuck Bird,

    "or say it isn't okay to brush off domestic violence as something that only happens in some "other" part of society?"

    This whole debate started because Russell was trying to minimise the amount and extent of domestic violence initiated by women against men.

    Since Apr 2007 • 55 posts Report

  • jon_knox,

    Chuck, If you meant that because homosexual sex between men is more risky because of a higher rate of HIV infection among men who participate in homosexual sex in NZ, then you should have indicated that.

    I'm assuming that the stats in NZ back this up, because I couldn't actually find them when I had a look.

    High risk sex surely is pentrative sex where one participant has HIV and the other(s) do not.

    Are there stats collected regarded knowing if the source of infection was infected, when transmission occurred, or is there simply the assumption that people don't know they're having sex with someone carrying HIV, or wouldn't fess up to being so stupid even if they were "chasing the dragon"?

    Belgium • Since Nov 2006 • 464 posts Report

  • Yamis,

    I try to avoid doing this sort of thing where possible but...

    Chuck, are you referring to say, something like this from RB?

    No one is denying that women commit violence in relationships or families. It happens. I've seen it. But the fact sheet notes that that six times as many men in New Zealand are apprehended for family violence offences as women and that 92% of protection orders are sought by women. And that a string of findings from the 2001 New Zealand National Survey of Crime Victims bore out the perception that women face a greater risk of partner violence from men, that women were more likely than men to suffer repeat violence in relationships, were injured more severely, and were more likely to fear their partners.

    While I can't claim to know exactly what was going on in his head when he typed his post I took it as being quite a different argument altogether.

    But I fail to see how defending a worthy advertising campaign from some 'casually thought out criticism' bares much resemblance to what you claim he was trying to do.

    My 37 cents.

    Since Nov 2006 • 903 posts Report

  • Yamis,

    And briefly...

    what does "initiate" mean?

    To me in this instance it would mean struck the first real blow, or threw the first toaster that connected with the face. NOT said the first swearword.

    I don't think I'd rate myself longterm if my wife shoved me and I then beat seven shades of shit out of her because she started it.

    Since Nov 2006 • 903 posts Report

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