Comments on: Isaac Asimov's face used to shill in sleazy ad http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 06:33:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: marilove http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1653893 marilove Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1653893 Thank you for the response  That makes much, MUCH more sense  and the hilarious part is that I RECOGNIZE that episode, now that you've written it out like that.  ROFL. My bad. Thank you for the response  That makes much, MUCH more sense  and the hilarious part is that I RECOGNIZE that episode, now that you’ve written it out like that.  ROFL. My bad.

]]> By: retchdog http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1653247 retchdog Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1653247 it was a simpsons reference, where it was used facetiously to make more-or-less the point you're making. Lawyer: Robert, if released, would you pose any threat to one Bart Simpson? Sideshow Bob: Bart Simpson? Ha! The spirited little scamp who twice foiled my evil schemes and sent me to this dank, urine-soaked hellhole? Officer: Uh, we object to the term "urine-soaked hellhole" when you could have said, "peepee-soaked heckhole". Sideshow Bob: Cheerfully withdrawn. it was a simpsons reference, where it was used facetiously to make more-or-less the point you’re making.

Lawyer: Robert, if released, would you pose any threat to one Bart Simpson?
Sideshow Bob: Bart Simpson? Ha! The spirited little scamp who twice foiled my evil schemes and sent me to this dank, urine-soaked hellhole?
Officer: Uh, we object to the term “urine-soaked hellhole” when you could have said, “peepee-soaked heckhole”.
Sideshow Bob: Cheerfully withdrawn.

]]> By: Nathan Hornby http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1653062 Nathan Hornby Tue, 12 Feb 2013 08:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1653062 I'm so confused by this comment. I’m so confused by this comment.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1652836 Antinous / Moderator Tue, 12 Feb 2013 03:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1652836 UK news media, including the BBC, habitually quotes US rednecks from the trailer park in the middle of the bayou as saying things like, "Mum and I were feeling a bit peckish, so we were chuffed to bits when we heard that the pub had a fry-up that wasn't too dear." UK news media, including the BBC, habitually quotes US rednecks from the trailer park in the middle of the bayou as saying things like, “Mum and I were feeling a bit peckish, so we were chuffed to bits when we heard that the pub had a fry-up that wasn’t too dear.”

]]> By: Nathan Hornby http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1652832 Nathan Hornby Tue, 12 Feb 2013 02:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1652832 At a simple level they might just have an British and an American dictionary, rather than one English one, as they likely have many other languages too. But to be fair, if I were going to localise those ads, changing 'mom' to 'mum' would be the first thing I'd do. Nothing says this was made for an American like 'mom' :) At a simple level they might just have an British and an American dictionary, rather than one English one, as they likely have many other languages too.

But to be fair, if I were going to localise those ads, changing ‘mom’ to ‘mum’ would be the first thing I’d do. Nothing says this was made for an American like ‘mom’ :)

]]> By: ScottEdelman http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1652784 ScottEdelman Tue, 12 Feb 2013 01:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1652784 FYI -- I never heard back from Huffington Post, but here's what Pimsleur Approach had to say: http://www.scottedelman.com/2013/02/11/pimsleur-approach-addresses-the-isaac-asimov-issue/ Which still doesn't explain how it happened in the first place. FYI — I never heard back from Huffington Post, but here’s what Pimsleur Approach had to say:

http://www.scottedelman.com/2013/02/11/pimsleur-approach-addresses-the-isaac-asimov-issue/

Which still doesn’t explain how it happened in the first place.

]]> By: Philip Storry http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1652062 Philip Storry Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1652062 Yeah, I know the geolocation's been going on for ages - seeing my location in the string is normal for sleazy dating ads, as has been mentioned. I was just surprised to see them going the extra mile and doing translation for colloquial terms. That's new, and a level of effort I hadn't realised would be worthwhile... Yeah, I know the geolocation’s been going on for ages – seeing my location in the string is normal for sleazy dating ads, as has been mentioned.
I was just surprised to see them going the extra mile and doing translation for colloquial terms. That’s new, and a level of effort I hadn’t realised would be worthwhile…

]]> By: C W http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651876 C W Mon, 11 Feb 2013 04:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651876 Anyone who uses "one weird trick" isn't advertising based on the merits of the product. Anyone who uses “one weird trick” isn’t advertising based on the merits of the product.

]]> By: adonai http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651687 adonai Sun, 10 Feb 2013 23:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651687 Actually, as far as Huffington Post goes, that's pretty heavy science. Actually, as far as Huffington Post goes, that’s pretty heavy science.

]]> By: secretdoubleagent http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651677 secretdoubleagent Sun, 10 Feb 2013 23:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651677 I, a Nigerian Prince, have one weird trick to prove the equivalence principle of gravity.  I drop a free Iphone 5 and a cannon ball--oh forget it.  I feel like I've lost you. I, a Nigerian Prince, have one weird trick to prove the equivalence principle of gravity.  I drop a free Iphone 5 and a cannon ball–oh forget it.  I feel like I’ve lost you.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651618 Antinous / Moderator Sun, 10 Feb 2013 21:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651618 Or every headline on HuffPo. <i>"You won't believe what...!" " Did ..... really.....???" "Why ....'s neighbors all..."</i> Or every headline on HuffPo. “You won’t believe what…!” ” Did ….. really…..???” “Why ….’s neighbors all…”

]]> By: Michael Smith http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651566 Michael Smith Sun, 10 Feb 2013 20:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651566 I believe there is a licensing mechanism in place for Albert. Probably should be one for Isaac as well. I believe there is a licensing mechanism in place for Albert. Probably should be one for Isaac as well.

]]> By: James Penrose http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651513 James Penrose Sun, 10 Feb 2013 19:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651513 As long as the checks clear, I doubt they give a flying fig how their stuff is sold.  Few companies care these days just as long as it makes money. As long as the checks clear, I doubt they give a flying fig how their stuff is sold.  Few companies care these days just as long as it makes money.

]]> By: Kyle Bunn http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651494 Kyle Bunn Sun, 10 Feb 2013 18:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651494 As no one else has pointed it out I will just note that Rowena Morrill might also have something to say about this. That image is from one of her portraits of His Eminence. As no one else has pointed it out I will just note that Rowena Morrill might also have something to say about this. That image is from one of her portraits of His Eminence.

]]> By: Jamie DiBattista http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651447 Jamie DiBattista Sun, 10 Feb 2013 17:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651447 "One weird trick" is up there with "Nigerian Prince" And "Free Iphone 5"  as far as phrases that make me instantly disbelieve anything you have to say. “One weird trick” is up there with “Nigerian Prince” And “Free Iphone 5″  as far as phrases that make me instantly disbelieve anything you have to say.

]]> By: L_Mariachi http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651431 L_Mariachi Sun, 10 Feb 2013 17:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651431 Hari Seldon knew you were going to say that. Hari Seldon knew you were going to say that.

]]> By: L_Mariachi http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651430 L_Mariachi Sun, 10 Feb 2013 17:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651430 Good sleuthin'. Pimsleur ought to maybe revisit their reseller agreements. Hell, they could even go for damages based on the hit to their reputation. Good sleuthin’. Pimsleur ought to maybe revisit their reseller agreements. Hell, they could even go for damages based on the hit to their reputation.

]]> By: Walter Dexter http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651423 Walter Dexter Sun, 10 Feb 2013 17:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651423 Pimsleur is part of Simon & Schuster. Not a shady organization. This ad, however... If you click on the ad, first, you go to: http://weekly-updaters.com/language/pimsleur-1b.php?src=pm2&pub=AOL%20Huffington%20Post%20-%20Politics It's one of those sites that uses geolocation to claim that their "news" item happened where they think you are. Either that or there's a lot more going on in Darien, Illinois than I thought! (Not where I live, by the way. They're off by a town.) That in turn ultimately sends you to pimsleurapproach.com which states in its footer that Internet Order, LLC sells Pimsleur products but is not an affiliate of Simon & Schuster, Inc. (the publisher of Pimsleur® products) or of Beverly Pimsleur (the owner of the Pimsleur® trademark, which is licensed exclusively to Simon & Schuster). Any use of the Pimsleur® name or associated marks is solely to identify the products sold by Internet Order, LLC. So the ads aren't being done by Pimsleur. They're being done by some sleazy marketer/salesperson who sells Pimsleur. The mistake they made was angering the geeks by taking one of our saints' images in vain. Pimsleur is part of Simon & Schuster. Not a shady organization.

This ad, however…

If you click on the ad, first, you go to:

http://weekly-updaters.com/language/pimsleur-1b.php?src=pm2&pub=AOL%20Huffington%20Post%20-%20Politics

It’s one of those sites that uses geolocation to claim that their “news” item happened where they think you are. Either that or there’s a lot more going on in Darien, Illinois than I thought! (Not where I live, by the way. They’re off by a town.)

That in turn ultimately sends you to

pimsleurapproach.com

which states in its footer that

Internet Order, LLC sells Pimsleur products but is not an affiliate of Simon & Schuster, Inc. (the publisher of Pimsleur® products) or of Beverly Pimsleur (the owner of the Pimsleur® trademark, which is licensed exclusively to Simon & Schuster). Any use of the Pimsleur® name or associated marks is solely to identify the products sold by Internet Order, LLC.

So the ads aren’t being done by Pimsleur. They’re being done by some sleazy marketer/salesperson who sells Pimsleur.

The mistake they made was angering the geeks by taking one of our saints’ images in vain.

]]> By: dnebdal http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651403 dnebdal Sun, 10 Feb 2013 16:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651403 There's also the ever funny geo-located dating site adds - especially if they're also obviously google-translated to your local language.  "Meeting the regional Girl near your $bumfuck_nowhere and 50 more others!" is even better when you <i>know</i> there aren't even that many people of the right gender and age living in the named area. :) I also just saw a few google play store apps that were obviously machine-translated - made much funnier by the errors: Make up got translated as "made out of", and nails to the spiky iron meaning. "Girl tacks made-out-of", indeed. There’s also the ever funny geo-located dating site adds – especially if they’re also obviously google-translated to your local language.  “Meeting the regional Girl near your $bumfuck_nowhere and 50 more others!” is even better when you know there aren’t even that many people of the right gender and age living in the named area. :)

I also just saw a few google play store apps that were obviously machine-translated – made much funnier by the errors: Make up got translated as “made out of”, and nails to the spiky iron meaning. “Girl tacks made-out-of”, indeed.

]]> By: dnebdal http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651397 dnebdal Sun, 10 Feb 2013 16:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651397 It seems to be modeled on other dodgy ads like the "cosmetic surgeons hate this american housewife because of her one strange tip that makes her look 40 years younger" (or somesuch, I haven't seen one in a while). It seems to be modeled on other dodgy ads like the “cosmetic surgeons hate this american housewife because of her one strange tip that makes her look 40 years younger” (or somesuch, I haven’t seen one in a while).

]]> By: John Ohno http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651395 John Ohno Sun, 10 Feb 2013 16:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651395 Hari Seldon HATES Him!!! Hari Seldon HATES Him!!!

]]> By: naum http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651390 naum Sun, 10 Feb 2013 15:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651390 I don't have a specific reference to cite ATM, but isn't Einstein image likeness used to hawk a whole bunch of various goods and similar theme sundries? I don’t have a specific reference to cite ATM, but isn’t Einstein image likeness used to hawk a whole bunch of various goods and similar theme sundries?

]]> By: Gilbert Wham http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651387 Gilbert Wham Sun, 10 Feb 2013 15:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651387  I've always put that down to my puckish charm and natural good looks. Bummer.  I’ve always put that down to my puckish charm and natural good looks. Bummer.

]]> By: marilove http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651377 marilove Sun, 10 Feb 2013 14:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651377 I've never understood the point of "heck".  We all know what it mean. It means hell. I also don't understand why that's considered a "curse" word by some, even in 2013. I’ve never understood the point of “heck”.  We all know what it mean. It means hell. I also don’t understand why that’s considered a “curse” word by some, even in 2013.

]]> By: Andrew Singleton http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651372 Andrew Singleton Sun, 10 Feb 2013 14:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651372 suddeny adblock usage goes up 60000%. suddeny adblock usage goes up 60000%.

]]> By: oasisob1 http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651358 oasisob1 Sun, 10 Feb 2013 13:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651358 The tipoff that it's a complete fraud is that it's not actually part of the content I'm reading. It's an ad, I ignore it. The tipoff that it’s a complete fraud is that it’s not actually part of the content I’m reading. It’s an ad, I ignore it.

]]> By: oasisob1 http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651357 oasisob1 Sun, 10 Feb 2013 13:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651357 I reckon he would have a popular and award-winning book about the science of learning languages on the shelves within a month. I reckon he would have a popular and award-winning book about the science of learning languages on the shelves within a month.

]]> By: Saltine http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651356 Saltine Sun, 10 Feb 2013 13:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651356 In my experience, right-wing intellectual, home-schooly types are pretty anti-intellectual, but they're still into learning, but just the basics. And autodidacticism really appeals to people with ideologies that value individualism and suspect collectivism and expertise. So, yeah, seeing a connection between anti-intellectualism and Pimsleur "courses" makes sense, especially when you consider that they and the Rosetta Stone stuff are marketed as an end run around those colleges that really just want to waste your time and pick your pocket. "Trust us. Learning a foreign language is easy. And it's cheap! Buy our tapes!"  I do have an ax to grind, I'll confess. Rosetta Stone German seemed to consisted of 98% clicking a picture of a horse and hearing "das Pferd. das Pferd." In my experience, right-wing intellectual, home-schooly types are pretty anti-intellectual, but they’re still into learning, but just the basics. And autodidacticism really appeals to people with ideologies that value individualism and suspect collectivism and expertise. So, yeah, seeing a connection between anti-intellectualism and Pimsleur “courses” makes sense, especially when you consider that they and the Rosetta Stone stuff are marketed as an end run around those colleges that really just want to waste your time and pick your pocket. “Trust us. Learning a foreign language is easy. And it’s cheap! Buy our tapes!” 

I do have an ax to grind, I’ll confess. Rosetta Stone German seemed to consisted of 98% clicking a picture of a horse and hearing “das Pferd. das Pferd.”

]]> By: oasisob1 http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651351 oasisob1 Sun, 10 Feb 2013 13:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651351 Are you kidding? I would click on it hoping to read the true story of how Rasputin lives! Are you kidding? I would click on it hoping to read the true story of how Rasputin lives!

]]> By: Nathan Hornby http://boingboing.net/2013/02/09/isaac-asimovs-face-used-to-s.html#comment-1651350 Nathan Hornby Sun, 10 Feb 2013 13:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212006#comment-1651350 Not meaning to put a dampener on your research, but they've been doing this for years. Many websites do it too; geo-location is an important tool, both for targeting content, and making you feel more at home. It's not all evil - but it would be missing a pretty obvious trick to not serve you vaguely localised content. Did you never get suspicious why there were so many housewives that wanted to date you in your exact area? Not meaning to put a dampener on your research, but they’ve been doing this for years. Many websites do it too; geo-location is an important tool, both for targeting content, and making you feel more at home.

It’s not all evil – but it would be missing a pretty obvious trick to not serve you vaguely localised content.

Did you never get suspicious why there were so many housewives that wanted to date you in your exact area?

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