Is this Buck advertisement irresponsible?

P

Pergatory

Joined
Aug 15, 2000
Messages
465
Here's the Ad: (as appears in page 16 of Blade magazine, April 2001)

1) You and Bob are hiking when you notice an approaching storm.

A) You build a lean-to out of pine branches.

B) You make Bob build the lean-to.

A Buck knife gives you choices.
.......(end)

While I think most of us are mature enough to know this is presented in a joking manner, I don't think the current political environment allows for anyone to make a joke of this nature. Anyway, aren't there other ways to make good-humored ads?


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"Never let your morals get in the way of doing what's right" -Hari Seldon, Foundation, -Aasimov

[This message has been edited by Pergatory (edited 03-12-2001).]
 
I got a good chuckle out of that. Any politician who has a problem with that ad wouldn't get my vote.
 
I thought the Strider gave you the option of doing it yourself, whereas before you would have HAD to make Bob build the lean-to.
biggrin.gif


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The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog. - Ambrose Bierce
Most dog owners are at length able to teach themselves to obey their dog. - Robert Morley

iktomi
 
I'm not sure I understand what's "politically incorrect" about the ad.
Could you explain what you think is wrong?


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Buck Collectors Club Member # 572
Dedicated ELU
Knifeknut(just ask my wife)
Sebenzanista
 
I don't see the problem. Since when does "the current political environment" "allow", or "not allow", us to do anything?

When did we become serfs or subjects?

Last I heard this was still a (mostly) free country where a company or agency could advertize or present itself anyway it wanted. Why should the so-called "political correctness" of any ad copy be a factor in it's presentation?

The only thing that would, (or should), be a factor is if the ad would persuade people to buy the product. Period.

Get a life and quit worrying about if someone, somewhere, "out there" might be offended by a humorous advertizement.

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Dennis Wright
Wright Knife & Sporting Goods
La Mesa, CA
1-800-400-1980
wrightknife@ixpres.com
("Have a knife day!")
 
I loved the ad. Who gives a damn if the politicians don't like it? These politicians are SUPPOSED to be public servants, not our rulers, as Dennis stated.

Dave
 
What's wrong with the ad?

It is extremely suggestive that carrying a knife allows you to force others to do your bidding, i.e. "I'll cut you to pieces if you don't build my lean-to, Bob"

I thought it was obvious.

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"Never let your morals get in the way of doing what's right" -Hari Seldon, Foundation, -Aasimov
 
Geez guys I didn't get that you were threatening Bob with your Strider out of that ad. I figured that since you were the one that had a Strider, you could build the shelter yourself. Or since it is your knife and that is your contribution, Bob could contribute by doing the work since he did not have the foresight to bring a Strider! If you were threatening Bob to build a shelter with your Strider and then you handed it to him to build it that wouldn't make any sense! Lighten up!
biggrin.gif
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Tactical:
If you were threatening Bob to build a shelter with your Strider and then you handed it to him to build it that wouldn't make any sense!</font>
Click to expand...

Good point. I see now why you're called "Tactical."
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The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog. - Ambrose Bierce
Most dog owners are at length able to teach themselves to obey their dog. - Robert Morley

iktomi
 
Well. I think that's YOUR interpretation only Perg, knowing the Buck folks to be quite against threats and agressive behavior in general. I hope I'm not hiking with you when there is a shelter that needs to be built!
wink.gif


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Buck Collectors Club Member # 572
Dedicated ELU
Knifeknut(just ask my wife)
Sebenzanista
 
I'm not slamming Buck in any way. However, my first thought when I saw the ad was that of a threatening tone. If most of you think I'm paranoid, it could be true, I wouldn't deny it
smile.gif
.
After hearing all of your responses, though, maybe you're right. However, I'm surprised no one at Buck noticed my perceived interpretation of the advertisement, and changed it.
Thanks for the discussion


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"Never let your morals get in the way of doing what's right" -Hari Seldon, Foundation, -Aasimov
 
I read the ad the same way Perg. did.

It reads:

"You make Bob build the lean-to"
"A Buck knife gives you choices"
"...To chose the right Buck tactical knive, visit..."

The ad implies that you used your tactical buck knife to coerce Bob into building a lean-to. The use of the word "make" is very unambigous. If Buck intended the add to read otherwise then they should take immediate steps to publish a correction.

N2S
 
Is this Bladeforums or politically correct?
rolleyes.gif
You can "make" people do things without threatening them! Do you honestly think a company as responsible as Buck would intentionally imply a threatening tone? If you hang on every word in a stand-up comic's routine you will be offended and not laugh. People are entitled to interpret things as they see fit. I don't however think that anyone should be able to censor ads or media based on just their own interpretations.
P.S. not2sharp, This post is just my OPINION and I am a COMPLETE IDIOT! DON'T TAKE OFFENSE! INSTEAD TAKE CARE!
biggrin.gif
And thank you in return for the discussion, Pergatory!
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[This message has been edited by Tactical (edited 03-15-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Tactical (edited 03-15-2001).]
 
Tactical,

We are anything but politically correct.
smile.gif


Perhaps, I misread the ad, But, I'm biased in our favor, and rest assured that many others less incline to our hobby may also misread the ad.

I have nothing but respect for Buck Knives, and I realize that the ad is very much tongue in cheek.

The question should be:
Is this the ad you would want to see reprinted in the New York Times with a nice spin as the caption?

N2S
 
Perg,

I have to admit that i did not "get it", when i first read the ad. I do know it was meant to be humorous though. I would also venture to say that since "politically correct" is rarely anywhere close to morally right, that concept was never even considered when the ad was written.
Just my opinion.

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Joe Houser
Director of Consumer relations
Buck Collectors club Administrator and member #123
 
The way I read it, Bob was a dummy for being unprepared and you give him the knife and say, "YOU build the shelter, maybe next time you'll be properly equipped!" while you sit back and eat an apple. Then when it rains, you have Bob sit closest to the opening.
wink.gif

Anyway, I meant no harm Perg, just teasing you, please don't stop coming here.

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Buck Collectors Club Member # 572
Dedicated ELU
Knifeknut(just ask my wife)
Sebenzanista
 
Brian,
no offense taken, at all.
I've been here a long time, anyway.
thanks for your concern though.


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"Never let your morals get in the way of doing what's right" -Hari Seldon, Foundation, -Aasimov
 
Great, glad you feel that way. I have to admire the quote you've used, the Asimov Foundation series; first read that back in '66 , love'd it then, still think it's a masterpiece of writing of ANY genre.
Have you read "Deepsix", by Jack McDivett?
This guy writes really well too.
wink.gif


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Buck Collectors Club Member # 572
Dedicated ELU
Knifeknut(just ask my wife)
Sebenzanista

[This message has been edited by Brian Lavin (edited 03-16-2001).]
 
"Irresponsible" is a lot different than "insensitive." "Irresponsible" would imply that Buck is a poor corporate citizen, would imply that somehow Buck would be liable if someone forced someone else to do something at knife point as a result of this ad. That seems a far stretch - the "twinkie defense" taken even further out - "Buck Knives, Inc. made me do it." Individuals are responsible for individual actions. Not "society", "them," "the system," "the media," and certainly not BKI.

my .02,
the pup
 
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