..errr
Full Version: Ok seriously...
..errr
wow... umm.....
hmmm... quite...
yes its quite,,, ermmmm, yes
I've read all about this ad. Haven't actually seen it until now, and now that I have. I think Sony should be fined heavily. Just who the fuck do they think they are? Bastards.
What the hell? Talk about trying to rub people the wrong way, Is their some other message here that I am missing?
To be fair, this may be a simple mistake. This is afterall the same company who made a "Serect" on the new controller.
http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/top/omg-plays...real-180260.php
http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/top/omg-plays...real-180260.php
hmm... That's Sony for you. This isn't the first stink their PSP advertising has raised. I remember the PSP graffiti stink.
Sony is just too scheming and arrogant. That's why I can't stand them.
Sony is just too scheming and arrogant. That's why I can't stand them.
Fn racists!
QUOTE(TristanAnderson @ Jul 7 2006, 17:14) 
To be fair, this may be a simple mistake. This is afterall the same company who made a "Serect" on the new controller.
http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/top/omg-plays...real-180260.php
i find it difficult to call that a simple mistake.
I just don't....wow.
http://ctrlaltdel-online.com/ - It was aimed at a different market, where there have been no complaints. CAD has a good article, and a funny Nintendo DS parody:
http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/images/news/ds_ad.jpg
http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/images/news/ds_ad.jpg
yeah people are far too quick to point the finger and yell 'RACIST!!OMGLOLBBQ'
the fact is most western cultures are no way near as racist as the US/UK is currently so afraid of showing themselves to be. i don't get the whole hypocritical approach to race and nationalism - the overt attempts at pseudoequality really piss me off.
not everybody is equal - but try telling that to haringey council - they'd rather employ a retarded black person over a qualified white person because they need to meet their 'equality' quota. that's not equality - that's just prejudism skewed completely over to the other side of the spectrum.
the fact is most western cultures are no way near as racist as the US/UK is currently so afraid of showing themselves to be. i don't get the whole hypocritical approach to race and nationalism - the overt attempts at pseudoequality really piss me off.
not everybody is equal - but try telling that to haringey council - they'd rather employ a retarded black person over a qualified white person because they need to meet their 'equality' quota. that's not equality - that's just prejudism skewed completely over to the other side of the spectrum.
Spelling in a foreign language is hard, especially when it's an unusual word like "select". 
black and white are "mercy" and "severity" in Japanese culture,.. as well as Chinese culture. They are meaningful colors, not references to skin pigmentation.
If the people pictured in the billboard were offended, clearly the gig was still worth the cash.
suck it up.
teh Japneez 4 teh r4c1s7!!1!ONE! sigh.
On another note, the billboard is very well done.
The whole monotone neutral background is matched to the natural sillhouette tone of the darker model.
It creates three images of startling beauty.
1. One of the White haired woman holding a head. (sacred image of Amaterasu (The Sun) holding the head of her brother Tsuki (The Moon), which is why the winter is cold, though the sun still shines, according to the Kojiki Kintaro.)
2. One of the PSP black, which has become part of the background of our lives, in contrast to the new, and dynamic white color, which represents the aggressive energy of change. Thus, the "sit like a tiger, roll over like a dragon" translated most recently as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
(i.e Hard and Soft style martial arts.)
3. The undeniable clash of fashion represents the two most prominent factions of buddhism in Japan. The conservative dress and posture of the black symbolizes Soto, which says the path to enlightenment is "within the void of inaction" as the Zen, becoming nothing, so it is without limitation compared to the prominent revealing path of Rinzai, which promotes sudden enlightment (hence, "soon") and encourages those who are enlightened to openly declare themselves, evident in the exposed navel, which is the origin of self. Through reconcilation of these two through confrontation Sony is basically announcing the PSP has come to completion. Using both of these methods is the third way, called Obaku, which is now finding a larger audience in Japan, which had a tendency to extremes.
Gorgeous add with elegant beauty and a depth that is found all over the Orient. and lost on most who have not spent at least months there.
Seriously, some people in Japan will buy both, for that underlying metaphor of completion and perfection.
----------------
If the people pictured in the billboard were offended, clearly the gig was still worth the cash.
suck it up.
teh Japneez 4 teh r4c1s7!!1!ONE! sigh.
On another note, the billboard is very well done.
The whole monotone neutral background is matched to the natural sillhouette tone of the darker model.
It creates three images of startling beauty.
1. One of the White haired woman holding a head. (sacred image of Amaterasu (The Sun) holding the head of her brother Tsuki (The Moon), which is why the winter is cold, though the sun still shines, according to the Kojiki Kintaro.)
2. One of the PSP black, which has become part of the background of our lives, in contrast to the new, and dynamic white color, which represents the aggressive energy of change. Thus, the "sit like a tiger, roll over like a dragon" translated most recently as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
(i.e Hard and Soft style martial arts.)
3. The undeniable clash of fashion represents the two most prominent factions of buddhism in Japan. The conservative dress and posture of the black symbolizes Soto, which says the path to enlightenment is "within the void of inaction" as the Zen, becoming nothing, so it is without limitation compared to the prominent revealing path of Rinzai, which promotes sudden enlightment (hence, "soon") and encourages those who are enlightened to openly declare themselves, evident in the exposed navel, which is the origin of self. Through reconcilation of these two through confrontation Sony is basically announcing the PSP has come to completion. Using both of these methods is the third way, called Obaku, which is now finding a larger audience in Japan, which had a tendency to extremes.
Gorgeous add with elegant beauty and a depth that is found all over the Orient. and lost on most who have not spent at least months there.
Seriously, some people in Japan will buy both, for that underlying metaphor of completion and perfection.
----------------
wow man this is definetely not good for sony -- they didnt notice this as they were producing it LOL...
well i guess this mistake shows what the PS3 might be like
well i guess this mistake shows what the PS3 might be like
raum you are very wise.
Quite an in depth explanation, makes sense considering the symbolic nature of oriental culture.
Quite an in depth explanation, makes sense considering the symbolic nature of oriental culture.
domo arigato Gozaimashite
(Thank you very much for what you have spoken.)
(Thank you very much for what you have spoken.)
QUOTE(raum @ Jul 11 2006, 14:58)
domo arigato Gozaimashite
(Thank you very much for what you have spoken.)
No no no.. You've got it all wrong.. it's Domo Arigato MR. ROBOTO!!!!
I keeeeed!
QUOTE(virtualraider @ Jul 11 2006, 14:39)
raum you are very wise.
Indeed he is ... However ... The American people are not. So if "A picture Paints a Thousand Words" ... "We the People", will pick out the ones with four letters in them...
QUOTE(Phonics Monkey @ Jul 12 2006, 10:21)
QUOTE(virtualraider @ Jul 11 2006, 14:39)
raum you are very wise.
Indeed he is ... However ... The American people are not. So if "A picture Paints a Thousand Words" ... "We the People", will pick out the ones with four letters in them...
geat statement, but I'd not limit it to America. alot of people in Japan will not get it either...
its very artsy.
In any case it is sure to be a marketing hit. Any ad which leads to such speculation or discussion is most definitely a huge success.
QUOTE(bd55 @ Jul 12 2006, 09:31)
In any case it is sure to be a marketing hit. Any ad which leads to such speculation or discussion is most definitely a huge success.
Despite what the saying says, there IS such a thing as bad press. Sony pulled these ads this morning and offered a pseudo-apology.
I see absolutely NOTHING wrong with this ad.
How can people aim that at racism? Please tell me, I'd like to know......
How can people aim that at racism? Please tell me, I'd like to know......
How is there nothing wrong with this? The advert is at best, full of subliminal (not very "sub" though) messaging
It portrays a white person and a black person, with the slogon "white is back". As if the fact that "white" returning is something to be celebrated, as far as I know, white had never left.
The white person obviously has power over the black person. In its self, not racist. its only racist when you take note of the fact that if the advert was a picture of two white people, it would not make sence. The ad is somewhat obviouly saying that white is better than black. Refering to the color of a games console, but portrayed by humans. VERY racist me thinks
It portrays a white person and a black person, with the slogon "white is back". As if the fact that "white" returning is something to be celebrated, as far as I know, white had never left.
The white person obviously has power over the black person. In its self, not racist. its only racist when you take note of the fact that if the advert was a picture of two white people, it would not make sence. The ad is somewhat obviouly saying that white is better than black. Refering to the color of a games console, but portrayed by humans. VERY racist me thinks
dude, you make no sense. the advert was about opposing and contrasting colours. other images in this campaign showed the black woman in a dominating pose over the white woman. it works well because black and white are completely dissimilar and the contrast between them sets up a lot of visual tension. translating that into a rivalry between two people is a great thing to do, as long as it's done in a sensitive way. and in my opinion, it was - the series includes the two actors in various states of conflict, with EACH of them portrayed in a dominant position in the series. oh hell, just read raums post again. basically, if you think it's racist, you should take a look at yourself because you have some prejudice there. deal with it.
i think you do multiculturalism a disservice to point and shout RACIST LOL at every single bloody picture that shows some people of differing ethnicities who aren't either in a goddamned bennetton advert, or smiling and handing each other flowers.
(yeah, this topic angers me. self-righteous people piss me off. irony here, sony is probably my least favourite company right now. yet i'm sticking up for their advertising campaign. whoo, go me!)
i think you do multiculturalism a disservice to point and shout RACIST LOL at every single bloody picture that shows some people of differing ethnicities who aren't either in a goddamned bennetton advert, or smiling and handing each other flowers.
(yeah, this topic angers me. self-righteous people piss me off. irony here, sony is probably my least favourite company right now. yet i'm sticking up for their advertising campaign. whoo, go me!)
So would this advert have had the same impact if it showed two chess bits?
Can we Lay off the personal criticism?
I don't know what I said to make you feel that I "have some prejudice" that I need to deal with. I stated an oppinion which I think many people would agree with. Having an oppinion dose not make someone prejudiced.
The very concept of racism can by its nature, differ according to different people's perception of what racism is. But my personal beleife is that putting up a huge poster of a white person holding a black person by the neck, with the caption "White is back" is racist, or at the very least, immoral
QUOTE
if you think it's racist, you should take a look at yourself because you have some prejudice there. deal with it.
Can we Lay off the personal criticism?
I don't know what I said to make you feel that I "have some prejudice" that I need to deal with. I stated an oppinion which I think many people would agree with. Having an oppinion dose not make someone prejudiced.
The very concept of racism can by its nature, differ according to different people's perception of what racism is. But my personal beleife is that putting up a huge poster of a white person holding a black person by the neck, with the caption "White is back" is racist, or at the very least, immoral
QUOTE(TristanAnderson @ Jul 13 2006, 19:20)
So would this advert have had the same impact if it showed two chess bits?
QUOTE
if you think it's racist, you should take a look at yourself because you have some prejudice there. deal with it.
Can we Lay off the personal criticism?
I don't know what I said to make you feel that I "have some prejudice" that I need to deal with. I stated an oppinion which I think many people would agree with. Having an oppinion dose not make someone prejudiced.
The very concept of racism can by its nature, differ according to different people's perception of what racism is. But my personal beleife is that putting up a huge poster of a white person holding a black person by the neck, with the caption "White is back" is racist, or at the very least, immoral
To you it may be. To the majority of the intended audience, it is not. As Raum stated VERY clearly, it has an entirely different meaning in the culture and area it was displayed.
Tristan says:
It says "White is Coming."
Not in Japan, because the pose is classic Kurosawa, which has been on the rise since Tarintino paid homage to him in the Kill Bill Movies.
besides. look at the rest of the ads, including the one where the black model is on top of the black one.
People just like to see hot women attacking one another.
http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/04/ad-criti...charged-psp-ad/
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Don't be offended by what isn't there.
QUOTE
It portrays a white person and a black person, with the slogon "white is back". As if the fact that "white" returning is something to be celebrated, as far as I know, white had never left.
It says "White is Coming."
QUOTE
So would this advert have had the same impact if it showed two chess bits?
Not in Japan, because the pose is classic Kurosawa, which has been on the rise since Tarintino paid homage to him in the Kill Bill Movies.
besides. look at the rest of the ads, including the one where the black model is on top of the black one.
People just like to see hot women attacking one another.
http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/04/ad-criti...charged-psp-ad/
------
Don't be offended by what isn't there.
QUOTE(raum @ Jul 14 2006, 08:42)
Tristan says:
QUOTE
It portrays a white person and a black person, with the slogon "white is back". As if the fact that "white" returning is something to be celebrated, as far as I know, white had never left.
It says "White is Coming."
more specifically, it says "playstation portable white is coming"
Man, they cuda just used two white people, one in black, one in white, but would that have been as near affective in putting across their message? I dont think many people are gonna walk away with the idea of holding a black person by the neck from this ad, more buying the new sleak PSP white. If it was the formers, Sony just wasted money.
Side note: who wants a white PSP? Surely thats gonna get dirty quick!
Side note: who wants a white PSP? Surely thats gonna get dirty quick!
I don't see anything wrong with it.
Nowhere in the ad does it say 'white is better'. No where does it say "black sucks"
Its just saying a new color playstation is coming. Simple as that.
Have you noticed that only people who are worried about being called racist worry about the offensiveness about this?
I know I'm not racist. I am friends with black people, white people, chinese people, jewish, muslim, russian, french, etc.
I have a diverse group of friends.
Would be be as outraged if they changed something else in the PSP and advertised it that way?
PSP in Chinese is coming? and showed a chinese guy instead of a black guy?
In the USA, white people are extremely sensitive over being called racist.
Nowhere in the ad does it say 'white is better'. No where does it say "black sucks"
Its just saying a new color playstation is coming. Simple as that.
Have you noticed that only people who are worried about being called racist worry about the offensiveness about this?
I know I'm not racist. I am friends with black people, white people, chinese people, jewish, muslim, russian, french, etc.
I have a diverse group of friends.
Would be be as outraged if they changed something else in the PSP and advertised it that way?
PSP in Chinese is coming? and showed a chinese guy instead of a black guy?
In the USA, white people are extremely sensitive over being called racist.
QUOTE(dkreifus @ Jul 14 2006, 17:59)
Have you noticed that only people who are worried about being called racist worry about the offensiveness about this?
What on earth leads you to think that I'm worried about being called racist? I'm sure I can think of worse things to be called than racist.
I didn't mean you. I mean in general.
I know someone already posted the link to CAD, but I'll quote his explanation of the ad...he sums up my opinion of it better than I could...plus it's late and I'm too lazy to paraphrase.
Source: Ctrl+Alt+Del
QUOTE
Now at first glance, this stands to be a pretty offensive advertisement. That was my first reaction, definitely. However it's important to keep in mind that this advertisement isn't running in the US. It's a campaign over in Europe (Holland, if I recall correctly?) only. Why is that? Maybe because here in America we have such a history of racial tension, a history of slavery, an issue that divided our country in two in the face of war. So maybe it seems like a pretty harsh image to us, because we're extra sensitive to that sort of thing, perhaps out of shame, due to that part of our nation's history. (I'm not saying racism doesn't exist elsewhere around the world, but I'm not from elsewhere around the world, so I can't vouch for the feelings of different cultures.)
But the advertisement wasn't meant for us (America). It's probably not a mistake that Sony isn't running that particular campaign in the US. They may have felt it was more likely to be misinterpreted here. So I'm not sure I can condemn them as insensitive just because we Americans are so particularly prone to get our hackles up over things like this. It would sort of be like getting offended that a billboard in Japan is in Japanese, and I can't understand it.
It's just skin. Different colors, sure. And Sony has stated that their goal behind the advertisement was to focus on the contrasting colors (two other images from the campaign). So in that regard, using colors, what's the big deal about using a person with black skin and a person with white skin? It's just color.
It would be nice if we lived in a world where anyone looked at that billboard and all they saw was two people.
But, in America especially, you look at that billboard, and you see a white person in an assumed position of dominance over a black person, and immediately alarms go off in your head. Everything we learned in history class about the 1800's comes flooding into our minds, along with a healthy dose of guilt, and we apply our own demons to the image. We attach 150 years of racial tension to the image, and condemn it for our history, not because of any message it's actually delivering.
Which really is just two people representing two handheld video game consoles.
But the advertisement wasn't meant for us (America). It's probably not a mistake that Sony isn't running that particular campaign in the US. They may have felt it was more likely to be misinterpreted here. So I'm not sure I can condemn them as insensitive just because we Americans are so particularly prone to get our hackles up over things like this. It would sort of be like getting offended that a billboard in Japan is in Japanese, and I can't understand it.
It's just skin. Different colors, sure. And Sony has stated that their goal behind the advertisement was to focus on the contrasting colors (two other images from the campaign). So in that regard, using colors, what's the big deal about using a person with black skin and a person with white skin? It's just color.
It would be nice if we lived in a world where anyone looked at that billboard and all they saw was two people.
But, in America especially, you look at that billboard, and you see a white person in an assumed position of dominance over a black person, and immediately alarms go off in your head. Everything we learned in history class about the 1800's comes flooding into our minds, along with a healthy dose of guilt, and we apply our own demons to the image. We attach 150 years of racial tension to the image, and condemn it for our history, not because of any message it's actually delivering.
Which really is just two people representing two handheld video game consoles.
Source: Ctrl+Alt+Del
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