This video comments on the culture based need to acquire every frivolous new technological gizmo out there regardless of whether or not it is useful. Sony’s “Stupid Piece of Shit” impedes users’ ability to connect to the Internet through their “WebTV” because of its complex nature. This new media technology that is supposed to free people will end up destroying them as they are unprepared for technological advancements that keep coming out. “Make everyone in the modern home want to tear their eyes out.” Despite this though, this video comments on the insatiable need to attain them. Not having the most advanced gizmos directly reflects on how well people fit into our changing society. “Sony is expecting it to become the next fucking gizmo you absolutely have to fucking own if you don’t want to feel like a toothless hillbilly living in some hillbilly shack somewhere.” Due to individuals’ inability to comprehend how to use the new technology, networking is not possible via the Internet but face-to-face as the video mentions inviting friends over to figure out how to use the “piece of shit.” The way the video is presented as well reiterates this unreliability of new media technology. Although this video is ironically presented online in a new media format, it tries to emulate the well-known convention of television news programs which becomes the most reliable source of information. Media, the term Levy has place on mass media, is the only thing in the video that presents facts in an intelligible manner as opposed to Sony’s “Piece of Shit” interactive help menu. Levy argues that collective intelligence requires a sufficient technical infrastructure but this video challenges this ideal by proposing the notion that perhaps people are not ready for the new technology required.
-Edlyn Kim
I like how the tone of the video is serious in a funny way. I think videos like these do a good job of giving credit to those who don't know how to work new technology in the first place. The older generation doesn't identify with this new technology therefore this spoof ad does well to mirror many peoples emotions regarding new technology. And it's making fun of those who are buying it as if they knew no better. It tries to make fun of those actually buying these things.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite videos, I think it's hilarious how they make it seem like a legitimate news story. I feel as though this clip is a Viral Marketing strategy as well. They insult Sony's new system, but also make it seem like buying it is a necessary for consumers. This way, they are making advertising that doesn't really look like advertising.
ReplyDeleteI like how this video exposes the reality of technology – rather than making our lives easier, technology usually just proves to be a pain in the ass. Most gadgets are overpriced, poorly designed, and designed to break down after a couple of years, necessitating another purchase. However, people still fall for the hype and go out and waste all their money and sanity on the latest gizmo, which will eventually break down and cause more stress. One of the aspects that I find amusing about this video is that it parodies some of the snarkasm of internet culture, showing customers who ridicule products while admitting that they “love bullshit like this.” They act as if they are smarter than the company, but they are still buying the product.
ReplyDeleteWhat this video captures is the snarkastic tone that the creator has towards new technology. The similarities in how new technology is usually promoted as the next best thing and how this is called stupid piece of shit that everyone must have is directed to consumers and their mindless need for the next big thing. But this snark is funny because although we know we do not need this "shit" most people well feel a need to own it, showing our own powerlessness against new technology.
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ReplyDeleteI love this video if only for the fact that it uses the snarkastic tone tone to reveal how useless most technology is. We definitely live in a consumer culture where everyone has to buy the best, newest piece of technology which is not really necessary. I know I have fallen victim to buying useless shit when you're just shopping around. This video clearly demonstrates how new media is advancing to the point where it may be too complicated for the average user.
ReplyDelete~ Jana S.
As stated above this video is a great example of Snark tone. Snark tone is expected to be found in a parody, in this case it is a parody of a typical Sony press conference. The form is crucial here as it is identical film-style to what we'd typically see from this press conference. This allows us to see the comedy in this piece. It also helps that the viewer can relate to the experience to buying a novel technology without truly knowing what it is capable of.
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ReplyDeleteVideos like this are effectively funny because at first glance you assume it is a real news cast. When the news caster drops the first F-Bomb it creates a hilarious shock value that sets the tone for the rest of the clip. This is a perfect example of snarkism on youtube. This is a satire on not only news casts but also the idea of consumerism in the United States.
ReplyDeleteThis video is great. It reflects how people really do not need to buy every new piece of technology that comes out even though it seems expected. However it stresses that people should buy the product because it is important. They did a great job in making it seem as if it were a legitimate story on a real product and based on legitimate research. It just has to make you think though, is everything then on the internet as real and as credible as it seems? In any case it did a fantastic job in making fun of how our society soaks up all technology no matter what its actual function is and yet markets how necessary it is to purchase such an item. It is a great viral marketing tool because it makes you think but emphasizes the necessity of technology itself as well simply by being a viral video.
ReplyDelete- Michelle Erwin
Transmedia storytelling is moving in a positive and new direction. The Onion was originally a print source, and now it has moved forward onto the internet and has recently begun producing webisodes. Furthermore, the satirical aspect of this video demonstrates how online content can use textual poaching to take an idea in pop-culture, and redistribute it for greater meaning. In this case, Sony, criticized for its lack of durability in its products, is shown in a satirical perspective to give the viewer a greater meaning as to what Sony is all about. In continuation, the classic use of a snarky tone doesn't leave much to be desired for. The attitude of this video is obvious, and its clarity is one of the reasons why it went viral.
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