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Plan B ad - Offensive?


Rilig

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Lol, even urban dictionary's entries are all right. xD

And I've tried, but I can't find it TOO horribly offensive, imo, just like if someone stereotypes a cheerleader or goth, or gay guy, or British person, or nerd, or straight guy, or woman, or black person, or white person, or vegetarian, or anything... and I can't help but NOT be offended by them... Everyone does things like that... and I can't be upset if someone thinks something is one way when it's really not. People aren't omnipotent. I mean... I could think that sending a letter politely saying how that ad doesn't really accurately describe asexuality and giving them info about it would be alright, though I can see some mild humor in it, but unless they're like... more blatantly saying something about how asexuality is wrong, you're an idiot if you think you are an ace, everything about it is stupid, or you're just a bunch of ridiculous people that just want something to complain about... I really couldn't care. xD;; -shrugs- It may be uncouth, and it may not be based on truth [/AveQref], but it seems pretty harmless to me.. -shrugs again-

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I feel like the creator of AVEN should send them a message... does anyone know who he is, can email him & ask him to send an email on behalf of AVEN?

Although the problem is that you realize, the company won't do anything... they're not going to acknowledge the existence of asexuals. they'll just laugh and shrug it off. be prepared for that. To modern culture we're simply people who can't get laid.

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You seem a tad a-poplectic.

I'm sure we're all a-pologetic and hope nobody takes it a-miss. But unlike the writer of the ad at least we're not a-holes.

129165187334369262.jpg

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... does anyone know who he is?

The creator of AVEN? Why that'd be this guy.

********** Warning, English lesson ahead! **********

The reason you may be inclined to feel hesitant to be offended is that asexuality isn't a particularly well-established special-interest group and there's a huge social stigma against being offended towards anything in case you are perceived as - shock, horror! - lacking a 'sense of humour'. Which, naturally, we asexuals don't have because we're a-everything. Oh, vomitting bloody hell.

Something to note here is the weight that certain words seem to have on the mind. When someone says something is offensive, the message people get from it is that that person has seen/heard something and actively taken offense to it:

Oh my god! Your hair is Orange!
What?! You can't say that! That's offensive!

The first statement contains nothing negative that could lead to it being considered a jibe as person 2 so for them to actively take offense to the offhand comment would be frowned upon. However:

Haha, eff off ginger!

That right there is not just an offhand comment. It's a derogatory remark directed to a person - an insult.

When something is accused of being insulting, it falls on the shoulders of the person who made the original statement. It's their problem if they insulted you rather than yours for taking offense.

I don't take offense to this ad, it is downright insulting. Remember that in your letters.

********** End Lesson, remember homework. **********

... nobody could market something by slamming homosexuality now.

Oh?

Just remember what ghandi said: "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."

I think we're inbetween stages 2 and 3. Yay progress!

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The thing is about goths, cheerleaders, British people, nerds, gay dudes, etc, is that people actually know what they are and that they aren't all bad/weird/crazy. Even homophobes are aware of the fight that gays are putting forth, that homosexuality is being shown as an orientation and not a disease, etc. Most people seem to think asexuality is the same as medically lacking a sex drive or something people choose, not a legitimate orientation. They don't choose to ignore facts and theories like homophobes do. They just don't know anything about asexuality so they assume or go by the crap they see on ads like this. This ad just supports their ignorance. An ad showing mean goths, extremely metro gay guys, bitchy cheerleaders, British people with bad teeth, etc, is just playing on stereotypes that are quite obviously untrue. I don't know anyone who seriously thinks wearing black=you beat people up, being a cheer girl=you're a bitch, you're British=you have dreadful teeth. The media shows things other than the stereotypes. But with asexuality, there's almost nothing that most people know of, so anything supporting ignorant stereotypes and false definitions of asexuality can be damaging to asexual visibility and can really be negative, and when paired with the "OMGosh, this is so awful" attitude of the ad, is offensive to me.

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LoserArtJunkie

Just remember what ghandi said: "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."

I think we're inbetween stages 2 and 3. Yay progress!

I like your optimism! I also like your English lesson! I ALSO like cake! Here, everyone have lots of cake for all the bruised feelings and raised hackles this silly ad has caused: :cake::cake::cake::cake::cake::cake::cake::cake::cake::cake::cake::cake::cake::cake::cake::cake::cake::cake::cake::cake::cake:

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Perhaps I'm bristling too easily, but given the posted image it seems like asexuality, a-socialism, and a-everything(as they call it) are all intertwined in the ad as if they are nearly the same. Regardless of whether this is justified or not, the thought that someone could casually vow to become a member of an entirely different sexuality just because their BC screwed up or they didn't prepare properly disgusts me, especially in this context because she sees it as an easy way out due to her irresponsibility. I wouldn't care so much if asexuality was a well established sexuality that many people were properly educated about, but unfortunately for some this could be one of their first times seeing the term and instantly a bias is formed. I don't have much time tonight but I may send a few thoughts their way in a few days.

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The thing is about goths, cheerleaders, British people, nerds, gay dudes, etc, is that people actually know what they are and that they aren't all bad/weird/crazy. Even homophobes are aware of the fight that gays are putting forth, that homosexuality is being shown as an orientation and not a disease, etc. Most people seem to think asexuality is the same as medically lacking a sex drive or something people choose, not a legitimate orientation. They don't choose to ignore facts and theories like homophobes do. They just don't know anything about asexuality so they assume or go by the crap they see on ads like this. This ad just supports their ignorance. An ad showing mean goths, extremely metro gay guys, bitchy cheerleaders, British people with bad teeth, etc, is just playing on stereotypes that are quite obviously untrue. I don't know anyone who seriously thinks wearing black=you beat people up, being a cheer girl=you're a bitch, you're British=you have dreadful teeth. The media shows things other than the stereotypes. But with asexuality, there's almost nothing that most people know of, so anything supporting ignorant stereotypes and false definitions of asexuality can be damaging to asexual visibility and can really be negative, and when paired with the "OMGosh, this is so awful" attitude of the ad, is offensive to me.

-nod- I see. That's true. Touche. :}

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I can see how the ad would be offensive to Asexuals. I'm not Asexual but I am in support of the orientation to some extent so..in a way the ad kind of rubbed me the wrong way but I didn't get too upset about it

I'm not sure what to say..except that maybe the creators of this ad probably knew they were going to ruffle people's feathers..so they're probably expecting a reaction out of the people who see it

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The a-everything is funny. So if someone asks me if I want to see a film about mutant spiders and I say "Sorry I'm a-spiders", they'll understand perfectly right? The fact they had to put a dash there kinda shows it doesn't make a lot of sense. Plus why does being social = risk of having sex? Should people be a-TV because sex is on TV?

And yeah the fact ASEXUAL is the main focus of the ad. Just, huh? They definitely should of put celibacy.

I don't think the ad is saying its a primary birth control or suggesting its fine to have unprotected sex so long as you have their product. It seemed in the advert to be saying its use is for emergencies due to accidents (e.g. in the ad the man seemed certain he'd used a condom but in the heat of the moment was mistaken or didn't put it on properly). These are called "morning after pills" and are common. My main concern though is they should also stress the fact that women should visit a doctor or sexual health clinic too ASAP if they had unprotected sex regardless of their product due to STDs and other factors (EDIT: Oh they say about STDs etc. on the Youtube channel page, still think it should be a disclaimer on the actual TV/print ads though too).

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Reading it, I wasn't offended; but when I saw how they emphasized the things in the ad, and even made it gray and purple, it did get offensive. Also, I noticed, if they were just tacking "a-" on everything, why doesn't it say "a-sexual" in smaller letters?

Imagine if this was someone's first time hearing of asexuality. As isitso said, a bias is instantly drawn. It has a negative connotation. Asexual= Anti-social people who "can't get laid". This isn't completely true, but it's hard to get a first impression out of your head. My first impression of gay men were flamboyant, girly men who dressed in loud outfits. I've long since learned otherwise, but that image is still what pops up in my mind.

Not only that, but that (picture) ad breeds nothing but reckless women and men. "Hey girls, go ahead and have unprotected sex, just use Plan B! You'll be fine." "Hey guys, you don't need a condom, just get her Plan B."

I actually know people like this. If it was supposed to be used like that, it would be called "Plan A". If I'm not mistaken, it's SUPPOSED to be a backup in case your contraceptive fails, hence the name. The youtube channel and its disclaimer is fine, but the (picture) Ad mentions NOTHING.

There is a such thing as responsibility. If you're careless enough to throw caution to the wind, not worry about STDs/STIs, and use Plan B as a "Plan A", all the time without other forms of protection. You. Should. Not. Have. Sex. That's just dangerous.

Sorry for the rant, but this is on my list of irksome things. :angry:

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I only thought the ad was stupid, until I actually watched the video. The way the girl said "I'll become this... asexual" was very annoying. She really highlighted the word 'asexual' in a loathing way. :(

About annoying ads, THIS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFOJXpavKL8&feature=related

It caused two reactions in me:

"I'll buy that and show that it's not a mens' thing!!"

and

"I'll never buy a product whose commercial is so SEXIST!"

I don't know if I'm overreacting, but I hate that commercial. They used to have it on the front page of Gaia Online, and I just can't stand it, because of how it says "This is a MENS' thing!" It could just as well say "Women are weak and stay at home while MEN do MANLY things"... :angry:

...Hoh. It's weird how all mentions of the supposed differences between sexes make me alert and ready to fight... I'm fine with my gender. I like being a woman, I think women actually get more room to be like they want, because men are expected to be brave and strong and to not cry. But still every time a teacher asks "could some of you boys come lift this (for example) table", I'll be there real fast, because it somehow hits me, like someone pressed some button on me, and I'm ready to fight... <_<

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Yeeeeeeesh I hope that is corrected. But I'm sure where they meant like "celibate" they put "asexual" just to create a catchy slogan ad. :/ No cake for them.

As long as the term "asexual" doesn't start being offensively misused to mean "stupid" or something just as derogatory, like the word "gay" (unfortunately....), I won't get too upset.

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As long as the term "asexual" doesn't start being offensively misused to mean "stupid" or something just as derogatory, like the word "gay" (unfortunately....), I won't get too upset.

The way they used it, it felt like it was a bad thing and a choice. They used to think homosexuality was a choice, too, but it's obviously not. And I don't like how if you're 'asexual' you can't have a social life.

Oh well.

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Yeeeeeeesh I hope that is corrected. But I'm sure where they meant like "celibate" they put "asexual" just to create a catchy slogan ad. :/ No cake for them.

As long as the term "asexual" doesn't start being offensively misused to mean "stupid" or something just as derogatory, like the word "gay" (unfortunately....), I won't get too upset.

So far, 'ace' is already slang for the equivalent of 'awesome,' 'great' or 'cool'. ;D Whoever came up with it was ahead of the game. xDD!

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Lol, even urban dictionary's entries are all right. xD

Haha so true :lol:

I don't feel offended personally due to the ignorance of that ad :rolleyes:

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umm guys.. I didn't see the original link, just read the description of it. But I wanted to play it now & the video is something totally different.. did the company take it down/change it?

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umm guys.. I didn't see the original link, just read the description of it. But I wanted to play it now & the video is something totally different.. did the company take it down/change it?

The one I was originally talking about wasn't a video. It was a plain old, standard ad next to a video. Plan B does have a matching video ad.

They have 2 ads, though. The one called 'Sexy Lingerie' is the asexual one. http://www.youtube.com/getarealplan

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And they would have to use those colors too, wouldn't they. :rolleyes:

If I had any more spare time that I don't have I would send them a complaint. As it is, it's very offensive. I can think of so many better and more creative ads that don't offend anyone but they had to go with this crap.

It looks like a post-secret about asexuality. The wording is bad enough but really, those colors?

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I can understand the not wanting to be asexual part as they got it confused with celibacy, though I don't really like the association with having no lives etc.

I find the fact that they're pedalling an emergency contraceptive as a proper plan pretty awful, though.

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LoserArtJunkie

:/

On the bright side, through a quick google search, there is at least one non-asexual person out there who also finds this offensive so... yay? They should be given cake for being an ally.

That's awesome! This person gets serious cake. :cake:

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sinisterporpoise

The bitter cumrudgeon that is lurking somewhere inside of me feels compelled to point out that that English lesson had nothing to do with English.

The optimist that reality hasn't killed yet feels that it's better not to attibute to malice what can be better explained by incompetence.

I've sent an e-mail to their media contact to ask what the thinking behind this ad was.

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LoserArtJunkie

I've sent an e-mail to their media contact to ask what the thinking behind this ad was.

Ooh, how did you contact them? All I could do was send a message to their YouTube account. It'd be great if you could post the email address so we could all contact them.

EDIT: This might have been a little extreme, but I also just flagged their Sexy Lingerie video as being offensive to a group based on sexual orientation. I had just watched it for the first time and I found it pretty insulting.

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sinisterporpoise

I've sent an e-mail to their media contact to ask what the thinking behind this ad was.

Ooh, how did you contact them? All I could do was send a message to their YouTube account. It'd be great if you could post the email address so we could all contact them.

EDIT: This might have been a little extreme, but I also just flagged their Sexy Lingerie video as being offensive to a group based on sexual orientation. I had just watched it for the first time and I found it pretty insulting.

I did a web search for the company's name, clicked on the the contact us button, and found the e-mail address of their media representative. I don't usually think of myself as such, but I am a member of the media. The contact us page has the phone numbers and snail-mail addresses for members of the company.

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