I really wish I checked back to the Media and Education forum sooner. I would have liked to get in on this one from the ground up.

Anyway, I'll start by saying "melty" ...really Taco Bell?

Commercials put nonsensical and taboo scenarios in our face every few minutes for a few minutes (apx. 9 out of 30). I can think of a few scenarios that specifically play towards idiocy:

1. No one would ever dare to grab food out of a stranger's hand - even doing it to a friend or relative would be cause for shock. It's animal and basal to lunge for food. Yet time and time again I see commercials for a new product, drink or fast food chain selling food with this gluttonous and ultimately antisocial behavior. It plays into a mindset of greed and I would have to bet it's no wonder that we're so obese in the US when commercials like these are constantly prompting us to be covetous of our food.

2. The idiot is cause for comparison. Many times, the idiot character in a commercial is the person who is mocked. This character is the person we do not want to be, and in order not to be this person, we have to buy the product being sold. I'm not trying to rehash advertising critiques, because there are many threads on here and many books and websites devoted to the different ploys used in advertising. However, I got to say this one bothers me. Most of the time it shows people who would never do things like that.

3. Informercials. It's not that hard to lift furniture, cleaning your effing strainer is not life-ending and your spice cabinet is cluttered because your fat American ass eats out too much and eating in means microwaving a frozen meal. Do yourself a favor, throw away the 5-year old oregano (you were never going to make the Veal tetrazzini anyway) and skip on the newest version of the lazy-susan. Fushigi...yeah, it's amazing. The reflection is what makes it look like it's not moving you idiot. And I'm sure those stupid plastic bracelets are going to make you have the gym body the guy selling it has...it's not a placebo or anything.

And, while I'm on the subject of useless products sold on informercials, let me give a little more advice:
-you were never going to cut PVC pipe with that knife
-Sumo wrestlers are never going to sit on your sofa
-Cracking an egg is only difficult if you are incapable of simple daily tasks
-Yeah, doing a sit-up is difficult when you haven't done one in 10 years, the neck strain will go away...

In fact, most of the products they showcase are used in more ridiculous ways in which the viewer will never use them, even though it's the most amazing aspect presented by the infomercial.

Originally posted by Sphota
Fushigi...yeah, it's amazing. The reflection is what makes it look like it's not moving you idiot.

I actually have one (I got it really cheap through ebay) but I came across it while doing some research on contact juggling. I know, I have to much spare time.
You should watch the disappointing video's on youtube about it. I still can't believe that so many people actually thought that it would float.

On the other hand, I'm still waiting for the magical scrubbers that will clean my bathroom/kitchen for me....