Michael: So … what attracts women? Humor? Brawn? Chocolate? Sex And The City? In the case of the European Union Commission, it’s girly chords showcasing clacking heels, short dresses, a myriad of make-up products and cute shoes. I can hear the squeals of delight now.
I’m not having much of a problem with this commercial. Why? When you compare some of the interactions between men and women — especially the ones which make the male of the species look like a Neanderthal — it’s just a tit for tat thing. You don’t see men raising a ruckus over it.
Tara: When I first saw this commercial, I seriously didn’t know what the heck it was for. Lipstick? Nail polish? Beauty schools? It wasn’t readily apparent. Or maybe as a woman, I was simply distracted by all the “shiny girl toys.” Hrumph.
Michael: See? Exactly what I mean! You were attracted … so what’s the big deal? I’ll tell you what the big deal is: All the feminists beating their war drums over a commercial that will become a throwaway piece of pop culture … if it’s lucky.
Tara: First of all, Michael? I hope you take tons of flak in the comments section from all the feminists out there. I’m not a huge feminist, but I see their point. And their point here being that I’m pretty sure we females could have handled a straight on commercial about women entering the field of science. This piece of crap was just confusing on analysis. It didn’t know what it wanted to be.
Michael: I hear you … but … would it have garnered as much attention if it was straight-forward in its message without all the pretty frills and vapid imagery? No … not in the least.
Tara: Of course it wouldn’t have. Are you saying the advertisers are purposefully trying to talk down to women so that they’ll piss us off and then get massive attention, even if it’s negative? Toward what end? They’re The European Commission! Not Coca Cola. Negative talk about them won’t make them any money.
Michael: No. Not at all. It was a simple miscalculation on the part of the European Commission and their attempt at attraction. Let’s not make a mountain out of a molehill. Look … here’s the deal (because there’s usually “a deal”): If men got as riled up over such breezy advertising as this … well … I don’t know. I don’t really have a point of reference to conclude the thought. Because: This ad is going to waft away with the breeze!
Tara: I’m not making a mountain out of anything. You started all this by rattling my cage about women “squealing in delight” over trinkets and then ragging on the feminists. Geez.
You’re right. Men wouldn’t get riled up over this. Not a matter as inconsequential as being put down for their gender. You all save your anger for professional sports.
Michael: Hey … don’t knock getting riled over sports! It’s our given right! Go Dodgers!
And … Hello! I didn’t put anyone down. I simply stated there will be those — especially feminists — who will wage verbal war over this commercial for naught. Period. Their time would be better spent proving women can (and do) excel at science and other (supposedly) male-dominated industries rather than lighting torches and rounding up the villagers to parade angrily in the streets. In my opinion, women in industry, without raising a ruckus, thumb their noses at such rubbish as the above commercial by not giving voice to it.
Tara: What’s the matter with squawking a bit? These days it seems if you come out and say that anything is offensive or you don’t agree with it? You’re vilified and told to shut up. This annoys me.
Michael: Stupid political correctness.
Clacked by Tara Shrodes
on Jun 29, 2012 @ 16:11 EST5EDT
Wow, that’s some weird IUD commercial you got there guys! :-)
It’s a disgusting POS commercial. Not all women are interested in pretty pink toys–well, mostly not after the age of 4 or 5. Commercial Land deals in stereotypes–the stupid man, the vapid woman, the smartass kid, on and on. Yeah, this one insults my intelligence, because it assumes I have none. I’m only “offended” by the cheap shots, as if “only feminists” are going to be upset. You know, I grew up in the pre-feminism era, so I know what it’s like to fight those battles. You know what else? Political correctness is not a bad thing, and I’m tired of hearing it demeaned as a joke. It’s a good thing to rein in insults and put-downs, especially if it means some Neanderthal has to shut his mouth for a minute or two before spewing something. Not that I think Michael is a Neanderthal, and I know he’s trying to be funny here, but it’s kind of like making zombie jokes to someone who’s just lost a beloved person.
Next time I’ll try to be funny.
Like any of those girls — and I do mean girls — have ever solved a differential equation in their lives…
I think you both are wrong about the aim of this commercial. Obviously, it is trying to get men committed to science by telling them they will meet girls there. Sexy, frothy, attractive girls.
Hit the books, boys, this can all be yours.
. . . . .
Huh.
So …
… it has nothing to do with girls and science per se. And everything to do with getting guys to dig brainy-ness.
Wudduya know …
Now, I see it differently than everyone. I think the commercial is aimed at female tweens and teens to show them that it’s not nerdy to go into a science field. You can look cool and attractive, that chemists make make-up and nail polish, etc. I think the commercial is probably fairly successful to that demographic. It’s OK to like science — you’re not a nerd and you can still look cool and do cool things. And even if you do look nerdy, you can formulate makeup for those who don’t! ;-)
Not everyone in this world is intrinsically motivated to do what they love, unfortunately, and because of what society dictates as attractive and acceptable for women, young girls are particularly vulnerable to insecurity and not following their dreams b/c of what others may think of them. If a little extrinsic motivation like this, one that is going to take the stereotypical female image from all of media and turn it on its head to make science look attractive to promising young girls, then I’m all for it. This ad is meeting society where it’s at (not to say that’s a great place….) and bringing it to a place of making science look cool. It’s pretty well done … sad that it’s needed, but well done just the same.
I totally agree with Debbie’s reasoning. THe commercial is aiming at young girls and this commercial will catch their eye. If it was a straightforward commercial..direct, no frills; most people..adults included would not look at it.