Hacker News Reader

Comment by baddox | Hacker News Reader

That Game of War ad is obviously unrelated to the game and appeals to "baser" instincts, but does it really deserve a label as harsh as "psychological blackmail"?

View on HN

You're right, perhaps that's not precisely the correct term here.... "Psychological trickery" or just straight up lies maybe. As it's essentially trying to paint a picture of the game in your mind that's just not true.

I would hold them at exactly the same level of sleaziness though.

The purpose of the image is to guide your gaze to the ad. And nothing does it better than a scantly clad beautiful women. It is like the oldest trick of the trade.

Ever wonder why all those billboards feature beautiful women when the product has nothing to do with women? If you try, you can recognize how your gaze is captured by the image of the women (thanks to a strong evolutionary instinct built over million of years to quickly identify potential mates), and how your gaze naturally follows to the name of the brand/caption on the board...If it was only the brand name/caption, then you would never have even looked at it.

That doesn't really morally justify the lies though...

"Hey, FREE SEX!! Nah, just kidding, but buy our stuff".

I am in no way justifying it. Oh. In fact, I hate it to the very last shred. I hate it so much that if I somehow end up looking at such a billboard, I avert my eyes before my gaze end up where they want it to end up which is their (brand name/ caption). So fuck you ad!

Ha, awesome! Personally, if I happen to see the name of the brand I'll avoid buying their products (if reasonably possible).

Reply on news.ycombinator.com