When did we become such a bunch of pussies?
A Samsung ad criticised for showing a woman running alone at 02:00 has been cleared by the advertising watchdog.
People complained that the smart watch campaign was irresponsible for encouraging unsafe behaviour.
But the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said the ads “did not encourage an unsafe practice and were not irresponsible”.
Well, at least the ASA got it right this time. That people even think this is something to complain about tells us much about where we are going/have gone. The men, women and children who survived the Blitz will be face palming at this example of insipid fragility and stupidity.
Women’s Running magazine editor Esther Newman said the ruling “makes people think there’s nothing to worry about”.
Oh, do fuck off. It’s selling a watch. That’s it. Nothing more.
The ad attracted 27 complaints to the ASA from viewers who mentioned the number of recent high-profile cases where women had been attacked in similar circumstances.
Twenty seven people. That’s what it takes to warrant an investigation that should have lasted all of the two seconds necessary to tell them to fuck off and grow up.
Reacting to the ASA ruling, Jamie Klingler, from the women’s safety group, said they never thought the ad was illegal but was more “distasteful”.
I see lots of ads that I find distasteful, but I don’t go whining to the ASA about it, because I have better things to do and I am an adult. I probably don’t buy the product being advertised if it irritates me enough.
“The ad should not have been made and should have taken into consideration the reality that women face while trying to exercise in this country,” she said.
It’s not for you to decide what ads should be made or not. Don’t like it? Don’t watch and don’t buy the product. Problem solved.
“I would absolutely love to not have a night time curfew with my exercise. But the fact of the matter is, that’s not available to me because of the epidemic of violence against women.”
Which has nothing whatsoever to do with an advert for a watch.
Esther said she “completely understands” the ASA’s ruling that it is not false advertising but the issue of women’s safety remains, which makes “complaints almost laughable”.
“We know there are a lot of concerns out there that a lot of women feel unsafe no matter what time they go for a run,” she said.
Which has nothing whatsoever to do with an advert for a watch.
According to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics, half of all women have felt unsafe at some point walking alone in the dark.
Which has nothing whatsoever to do with an advert for a watch.
Most violence against women will likely be at home. It’s a watch advertisement, and like most advertising, it is designed to tempt you with an aspiring possibility, rather than reality. There is an epidemic of this joyless shite on a daily basis. A constant whine from someone or other.
What about ads that claim that you can buy 100% renewable electricity?
What about ads for electric cars that include images of humans damaging the environment, strongly implying that such cars are environmentally benign? One of these images depicted open cast mining, you know, the kind of mines where the materials for electric car batteries come from.
What about ads for electric cars generally, that totally gloss over how impractical they are?
Shouldn’t the complainers be writing to their MPs, local council, Khanage, etc asking why the streets are unsafe for a woman to be out running at 2 o’clock?
I’m confused. I thought the current narrative was that a Wxmin was the equal or better to any man?
Even if that is not true aren’t we supposed to not blame the victim?
Do what people in our town do, men and women run in groups, day and night. Safer and more social.
I was walking home in the dark a few years back. Heard someone behind me, checked and it was a young gentleman of dark complexion. He said not to worry, he wasn’t going to attack me. Mind you some one who was going to attack you would say that. We ended up walking the same way for a while chatting. Sad world where we think the worst first.
“According to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics, half of all women have felt unsafe at some point walking alone in the dark.”
And did they also ask men the same question. I know I would have said yes. I think it’s almost impossible to live a life without, at some point, encountering a dangerous situation. Or, at least, a situation you perceive as dangerous.