Manipulating Consumers (An examination of how marketing analysts control everything you do and buy and how we're all a bunch of fucking sheep) (2309 hits)
Category: Science & EnvironmentalLabels: ETS_Sociopolitical_Commentary ETS_Essays
Rating: 0.9 on 101 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (View user info) at 2005-12-29 14:47:28 EST
Ok, let's see how long this rant goes before I get angry and start screaming at innocent people...
In a year that saw record profits for the major oil companies, who, due to the Katrina disaster, were able to test the edge of the market and the resiliency of the typical US commuter by raising prices at the pump by sometimes more than 100%, what analysts have found has not only allowed them to keep prices up after the disaster, but it has created a climate of acceptance within the US that these prices will never again be as low as pre-Katrina levels.
For the last couple months, the price of gasoline at the pump has hovered around $2.08 per gallon at the local station down the street from my apartment here in Evansville, IN, which, while a good $0.30 per gallon higher than pre-Katrina levels, is still considered good by comparison to the $3.50 prices we saw shortly following the disaster.
What analysts found is that while the price of gasoline was raised a considerable amount and the reserves were minimally impacted - (any perceived shortage was more theoretical than actual) - consumption remained steady. What do you expect in a country with an underdeveloped public transit system? The results were predictable. People still had to get to work from the suburbs. People still had to eat. People still had to drive. So people still bought gasoline like it was going out of style, filling their behemouth trucks and SUVs.
As a bi-product of this rise in gas costs, Americans on the whole tended, instead of curbing their driving habits, to offset their costs by spending less in other areas such as entertainment. This doesn't bode well for an economy that is three fourths based on consumer spending. So it was back to the Think Tank...
How do you reverse this trend in order to get more people out opening their pocket books with confidence, thereby maximizing growth across the entire economy? Simple. You look at your numbers and determine where to set gas prices. Gasoline prices are a major key in consumer confidence, particularly now.
With the Christmas holiday coming up, the effects of high energy prices could have been devastating to the economy, so a nice BAND-AID fix was in order. Analysts need to find a price their research said appeared to be relatively low to the common consumer and at the same time maintained a good profit margain for the oil companies. A little closed-door, quid pro quo meeting between the CEOs of these oil companies with Washington economists later, and VOILA! You have what all the papers are calling a 'stable and growing economy'. This translates to consumer confidence just in time for the holidays! IMAGINE THAT! What a coincidence!
"Wow, honey! With all this extra money we're saving on gas in this new stable economy, I think we might be able to afford that Chevy Suburban or Dodge Pickup after all, even though the resale value is about to plummet through the fucking basement on SUVs!"
What a surprise when one day after Christmas the price of gasoline at that little station down the street jumped up $0.10 per gallon! What a surprise it will be when after the New Year, gas prices take another upturn to offset the oil companies' loss of profits over the holidays, while the good folks in Washington look the other way on any charges of gouging, and while the American consumer is stuck with a Visa and Mastercard bill that is getting more and more difficult to pay! Won't that be a riot!
Sound a bit familiar? Does '1929' ring any bells?
"Why do Americans drive all those gigantic, gass-guzzling vehicles of Satan, even in the grip of an energy and global warming crisis?" I hear some of you conveniently ask... Well, the answer to that is but another example of how consumers are constantly manipulated by advertising and other forms of mind control.
Analysts in the automotive industry have long determined the American consumer market was not ready for a flood of alternative hybrids or other high efficiency models. "NO," their research said, "American consumers aren't ready for those. They won't sell." So, essentially, they didn't even try. Besides, why give a shit when you can just stick to what's working now? You've already created a desire for this EXXTREME, OFFROAD, rock'n'roll-lifestyle image, so why even bother spending the money to retool your factories? Why spend money on Research and Development? Ride the wave until it breaks, and then simply pick up your Detroit, Michigan factories and move them to Mexico.
Thanks General Motors Corporation! You're a real American Revolution in the making, let me tell ya! Nice fucking slogan, by the way! Did you think of that all by yourself, or did hire an outside marketing consultant for that one? PS: fuck you.
So far, we've examined how, as consumers, we're all basically just a bunch of numbers in some economist's mathematical model, and how pretty much everything we do is in some way related to a decision some corporate suit with a well-organized brief case has made. But, there are other more subtle ways to manipulate consumers, and it's all based on research, much of which was developed around the time the government was experimenting with psychedelic drugs such as LSD 25 in the 50s and 60s for the purposes of Cold War espionage.
Some of these you've probably heard of, like how McDonald's uses the color yellow and bright, florescent lighting in its dining area to subliminally encourage people to eat swiftly and leave. Or how about the way hotels carpet their halls with borders along the edges to as to promote a more homely, warm, comfortable feel, and also to discourage people from touching the walls too much. How about at the grocery store check-out line, where they shove all the magazines and candy so that while mommy and little Johnny are waiting for the dumbass in front of them to hurry up and pay and get out of the way, they'll both be forced to feast their consumer eyes on all the impulse-buying options.
Many of these things we now take for granted as integral parts of our world are only now standard because of research into the human brain and how to manipulate it.
What, don't believe me???
...
...
...
How about now?
User Reviews
Submitted by RamJetMax (user info) at 2006-01-03 17:09:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
"doesn't bode well for an economy that is three fourths based on consumer spending."
Actually, it is two thirds, not three fourths.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-01-03 14:13:02 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
This isn't even about me, asshole.
I never said I was uncontrollably drawn to buy whatever anyone told me to buy, and nothing is certain. Everyone reacts to subliminal stimuli differently. It's not a game of certainties, it's a game of numbers and probabilities, and if you think that there is no such thing as mind control in advertising, you're fucking stupid.
Actually it's YOU, not me, who are the blind one.
You need to take your head out of your ass and look around you. People are sheep. Telling me to "take responsibility" is one thing. Taking responsibility for oneself is one thing. But try telling 7 BILLION people to take responsibility and not to be duped by the manipulations of corporations and politicians and anyone else trying to snake a buck out of their pocket.
Good luck.
Oh, yea, that's right. You don't believe it exists, so you're not even gonna TRY.
The greatest lie the devil ever perpetrated on humankind was convincing them that he did not exist.
If you think that when little children see all these celebrities on TV on their little red carpet, in their Bentleys or their Caddys, wearing Abercrombie or Ralph Loren or Tommy, that they're NOT BEING INDOCTRINATED BY A PRECISE CORPORATE CONSUMERIST MACHINE, then you, sir, are a fucking blind man.
Submitted by Iago (user info) at 2006-01-03 13:54:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-01-03 09:36:50 (#)
Ranking: 0
Lago, or whatever your fucking name is, this isn't about America as much as it's about commerce in general. And, yes, when you've got a whole field of study and research dedicated to duping consumers and instilling subliminal messages into advertising, that's mind control.
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TAKE FUCKING RESPONSIBILTY FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS.
'duping consumers' = I have no doubt this happens that a few companies do this, but its not 'mind control'
'instilling subliminal messages into advertising' = Bullshit. This dosent happen maybe it did in the 60 or whatever, but it dosent happen anymore.
Companies do not exert 'mind control' to get consumers to buy thier shit, its just plain advertising. I mean, christ, its not like youve got Charles Xavier manipulating people to buy more coke.
Like i said before, grow a sack, pussy. Its not corporations making you desire to have a mars-bar. its because your a weak-willed fat fuck. Corporations havent made you fat, you have buy eating too much of thier shit. Take some responsibility, and dont blame your shitty life on other factors. Its all your fault in the end.
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2006-01-03 10:06:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This is still going?
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-01-03 09:36:50 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Lago, or whatever your fucking name is, this isn't about America as much as it's about commerce in general. And, yes, when you've got a whole field of study and research dedicated to duping consumers and instilling subliminal messages into advertising, that's mind control.
It doesn't just happen in America.
Whatever you THINK it is that I'm typifying here, that's your problem, not mine.
Subtastic: Congratulations, you don't seem to understand a fucking thing I just said.
Submitted by subtastic (user info) at 2006-01-03 00:54:08 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Two things:
1. I don't like spending money on shit i can't keep either, but gas is one of the cheapest mass consumed fluids on the market. A can of Coke is a buck - that works out to like $11 per gallon.
2. Oil companies' profits are skyrocketing because they have finally learned the place based marketing value of the channel. In the last 5 years they've maximized the opportunity to sell you peripherals. Gas stations are like grocery stores now. If you really want to vent your anger, STOP BUYING GAS STATION PERIPHERALS. Buy your smokes, coffee, gum, McDonalds, chips, magazines, lottery tickets, etc. somewhere else.
Submitted by Iago (user info) at 2006-01-02 18:46:58 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
Advertising isn't mind control. Neither are flashy colours or having sweets and magazines at the checkout. Just good marketing sense. Christ, if you think its mind control you either are the lamest person ive ever met, or one of those morons that blame McDonalds for making them overweight - somehow due to the bright flashy lights forcing you to buy cheeseburgers.
Christ dude, grow a sack. Bugs are attracted to bright lights; not rational human beings. If you dont want something, dont buy it, just because your american god, the television, tells you to buy something dosent mean you have to.
You pretty much sum up everything that i hate about americans. Youve got a a real mix of crackpot conspiracy theories, ignorance and worst of all a denial of responsibity or accountabitity, which seems coded for in american DNA.
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-01-01 08:17:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
to condense:
Americans are stupid.
The End.
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2005-12-30 18:45:08 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by DavyJones (user info) at 2005-12-30 17:26:39 (#)
Ranking: 0
You are so clueless it's funny. I smiled, but I can't in good conscience give this a positive. I guess a 0 will do.
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Well, thankfully, the explanation for your comment and your intelligent rebuttal set us all straight.
Submitted by BranDo (user info) at 2005-12-30 18:01:49 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Believing you're not all fucked up doesn't do the trick for me or anybody else on this planet. What I really meant is that you shouldn't try to change people by writing but try being a living example!
That's what the post was all about, us being pushed by what we see so please put effort in changing the view. Having the kind of government you've got I believe that's the only chance you have in achieving awareness. I do support your point of view but I question the impact/effect. Oi!
Submitted by DavyJones (user info) at 2005-12-30 17:26:39 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
You are so clueless it's funny. I smiled, but I can't in good conscience give this a positive. I guess a 0 will do.
Submitted by ScottPeterson (user info) at 2005-12-30 14:24:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
No, bitch and -1 are now deleted.
Submitted by firefly (user info) at 2005-12-30 14:23:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by DCWoody (user info) at 2005-12-30 14:15:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
linkwhore
http://www.ubersite.com/m/77462
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-30 14:04:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by DCWoody (user info) at 2005-12-30 13:24:30 (#)
Ranking: 1
Hey...did you get that thing of my NGFE post?
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Don't know what you mean.
ScottPeterson: I wasn't talking to you.
Submitted by ScottPeterson (user info) at 2005-12-30 13:47:38 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-30 09:25:13 (#)
Ranking: 0
Did any of you guys who think that I'm merely bitching about gas prices in this post even read the fucking thing?
*******
No, your incessant whinning is so scatter-gun like, we just cherry pick what we want.
Kinda like what you do with our reviews, bitch.
Submitted by Drone_of_Industry (user info) at 2005-12-30 13:47:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
how long did dinosaurs live, like 200 million years? Are we humans even on the millionth year yet?
Man, we gotta clean up our act.
Submitted by Adamdidit2u (user info) at 2005-12-30 13:36:49 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Still the charmer I see...
Submitted by DCWoody (user info) at 2005-12-30 13:27:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
BTW, there is no conspiracy...things get fucked up all on their own.
Scary isn't it?
Submitted by DCWoody (user info) at 2005-12-30 13:24:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Hey...did you get that thing of my NGFE post?
Submitted by Drone_of_Industry (user info) at 2005-12-30 13:17:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
The powers that be will proceed to push and push, but there will be a point that we will all turn to each other and say, "This is stupid, isn't it?"
"Yeh, it is. I'm sick of this shit. Aren't you?"
"Yeh! Let's bring this mutherfucker down!"
"YEH! LET'S FUCK SHIT UP! AAAH!"
We're not stupid. There are just so many of us that are needed to ban together. A little rational pep talk can turn the mind of alot of folks.
keep on edumacating.
Submitted by Drone_of_Industry (user info) at 2005-12-30 12:47:15 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
hehe I remember I drew dicks and boobs and cigarettes on everybody in my DAREbook.
Officer Roget told us that one time he arrested this guy who was talking to a little man that he could see in his ashtray. In 4th grade, I was thinking,"Cool, I want to see a little man in my ashtray!"
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2005-12-30 11:34:15 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
enabler. turn the fucker in and let him get ass raped in prison for a while. if he's smart he'll learn fast from that and then he'll lay off the crack cuz someone didn't lay off his.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-30 11:21:50 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Our D.A.R.E. program was taught by an officer who had a facial deformity. He was a nice guy.
We all had to write a short essay explaining what we would do if we found out a friend was using drugs. He had a little contest with a prize for the best one. I got the prize.
I said something to the effect that I'd simply talk to them...not turn them into any authorities, because that would not only be a betrayal of my friendship, but that wouldn't help the person at all unless he wanted to change.
I guess that was pretty progressive for a 5th grader.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2005-12-30 10:03:57 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
i remember dare, and officer bob in 5th grade. since they'd given us "THE talk" in 4th grade we all knew that calling him OB was calling him a tampon. then we laughed.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-30 10:00:10 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
IDT: I remember the day the firemen came to teach us about "stop, drop, and roll". I also remember how itchy I got from rolling around on the fucking grass. I should have SUED! :P
I hate the feeling of thousands of microscopic cuts in your skin caused by grass. It's one of the things I don't miss about childhood.
I think one of these days I might just go out and roll around in the grass for ol' time's sake...and to make sure I'm still alive.
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2005-12-30 09:58:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by kissmyarse (user info) at 2005-12-29 14:57:57 (#)
Ranking: 0
Plagerizer
-------------------------------
If you're going to level that accusation, at least spell it right you dolt.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2005-12-30 09:27:15 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
i thought elementary school was stop drop and roll. i remember nothing about "reading."
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-30 09:25:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Did any of you guys who think that I'm merely bitching about gas prices in this post even read the fucking thing?
Here, I have a few suggestions so that you might be able to understand:
1: Stop.
2: Breathe.
3: Remember what you learned in elementary school.
4: READ THE POST.
This is not even CLOSE to bitching about gas prices.
Submitted by SilvrWolf (user info) at 2005-12-30 09:21:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Good stuff.
I have a lot of thoughts on what you said here but no time to voice them right now. I have to prune the orchard trees and reassemble a brush hog (thank you very much, Howse Implement company. Your CHINESE ball bearings are teh suk!). I'm starting to wonder about taking title of this farm.
I'll try to get back to this later.
Submitted by ilikeyoghurt (user info) at 2005-12-30 06:07:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Here in England we pay roughly $5.90 per gallon.
Our government doesn't even pretend everything is cool so we'll buy more stuff, they tell us everything is fucked and we carry on regardless.
Quit your whining.
Submitted by ScottPeterson (user info) at 2005-12-30 05:12:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I think quite a bit of damage is due to the profits in the bbl futures and options.
This segment of the free market and it's relation to oil prices, seems to be always
overlooked by most people.
I believe this is where billions of dollars of profits, the true creme, is raked off.
The system that's in place, and the people that participate in it, never seem get put
under the microscope by any agency.
Submitted by crazyaardvark (user info) at 2005-12-30 04:32:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I paid $1.16 Aus per litre yesterday, which is the equivalent of $3.19 per gallon US (yes, I converted it all) and that is considered a "good" price.
$2.08 per gallon is the equivalent of 75.5 Aussie cents a litre. We haven't paid prices like that for more than 5 years.
Stop your bitching yank.
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2005-12-30 03:48:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
GOOD JOB BRADLEY
yay midwest
represeeeeeeeeeeent
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2005-12-30 00:50:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
and you said train to major city originally, and then that your city doesn't have one, so assumption following, you don't live in a major city.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2005-12-30 00:50:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-30 00:01:42 (#)
Ranking: 0
Don't EVER let go or lose sight of what's right. And don't EVER stop talking about it with the people you love most, because out of everyone on this planet, they are the ones who will understand.
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awww you love us... or is there someone you talk to more about this?
Submitted by shitfuck (user info) at 2005-12-30 00:41:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
"As a bi-product of this rise in gas costs, Americans on the whole tended, instead of curbing their driving habits, to offset their costs by spending less in other areas such as entertainment. This doesn't bode well for an economy that is three fourths based on consumer spending. So it was back to the Think Tank... "
Wrong. Americans choose debt over giving up entertainment. That's the bigger problem.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-30 00:01:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2005-12-29 21:25:07 (#)
Ranking: 2
The oil companies would never ever allow hybrids. They have the deepest pockets so they get the final say.
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Munkeypants...you're right. They don't want 'em. But we've got 'em.
They dont run the world.
The world is ours.
This world belongs to all of us...
Rich...
Poor...
weak...
strong...
The Great God looks down upon all equally.
THE TRUTH WILL SET US FREE.
There is a fucking way.
I REFUSE to sit back on my hands while everything beatutiful on this floating ball is raped beyond recognition.
THEY HAVE NO RIGHT!
...and they don't have truth on their side.
Don't EVER let go or lose sight of what's right. And don't EVER stop talking about it with the people you love most, because out of everyone on this planet, they are the ones who will understand.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 23:56:10 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by BranDo (user info) at 2005-12-29 22:22:36 (#)
Ranking: -1
In the land of the free....
Try using your head and take contol of what is left of your life before they get to you.
Don't ask what the corporations did for you but what you can do for the corporations.
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Whoever's alter this is, let me level with you...
I'm not nearly as fucked up as I might seem on this stupid forum. I have more control over myself now than I ever have, and all I'm trying to do is get people talking about this shit.
I'm sick of looking around me, peering through the conversation, and doing nothing. Saying nothing.
It pisses me off that men of artificial power think they are such big shits just because they were in the Skulls.
I would rather peer them in the eye and pull the trigger than give them one more fucking minute of peace and respite.
The offenders will DIE...
But only because there were people around who cared enough to notice when they shot themselves in the foot.
Submitted by BranDo (user info) at 2005-12-29 22:22:36 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
In the land of the free....
Try using your head and take contol of what is left of your life before they get to you.
Don't ask what the corporations did for you but what you can do for the corporations.
Submitted by Deconstruction (user info) at 2005-12-29 21:41:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Teephphah (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:05:35 (#)
Ranking: 0
needs more communism.
_____________________________
excellent rant ets
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2005-12-29 21:25:07 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
The oil companies would never ever allow hybrids. They have the deepest pockets so they get the final say.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 19:16:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Oh, and there's Freecell in there too!
That should keep you busy for a while.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 19:15:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2005-12-29 19:07:31 (#)
Ranking: -2
I don't think it would be in your best interest to get into a "grammar" or "vocabulary" competition with me, EmoBoy.
Just stick to the whining and "shooting blanks"...OK, Corky?
I'm gonna go play some cards...you just sit here all night and "defend your post".
----------------------
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Oh, dude...
You're killing me.
You know, you don't have to go anywhere to play cards, Shlongy.
Start > All Programs > Games > Solitaire
You're welcome.
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2005-12-29 19:07:31 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
I don't think it would be in your best interest to get into a "grammar" or "vocabulary" competition with me, EmoBoy.
Just stick to the whining and "shooting blanks"...OK, Corky?
I'm gonna go play some cards...you just sit here all night and "defend your post".
Submitted by skrapmetal (user info) at 2005-12-29 19:03:21 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
You are right. But you need to know that all of this, I mean ALL of this, is Apollo's fault.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 19:03:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2005-12-29 19:00:00 (#)
Ranking: -2
I jack off, but it ain't to that, Crybaby.
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I cannot stand in the presence of this review, for I am not worthy. You are a true wordsmith, Shlongy.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 19:01:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by thorpe (user info) at 2005-12-29 18:51:21 (#)
Ranking: 2
Every analysis of why the free market is so successful relies on the assumption that companies can only maximise profit by responding successfully to changes in demand. What they don't take into account is how companies can create demand through tricks like these.
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EXACTLY! Thank you, Thorpe, for actually having something to say relating to the post. I was hoping for more of that kind of discussion, but I guess this is the wrong crowd or the wrong day.
I think it's especially interesting how record labels and the mainstream radio, in particular, use these precepts, sometimes to their own detriment.
For instance, in the act of promotion and maximizing profits, they will create a load of cookie cutter bands and simply flood the radio with a lot of crap because their past numbers have told them this is the way to go. But what they're missing is that in the act of over exposing these bands, and marginalising the music scene, they are shooting themselves in the foot by not venturing to seek out the true innovators, or people with the promise of long-term success. Hence you get a thousand one-hit wonders who don't make it beyond their sophmore album and are forgotten after a couple years.
Sure, they got the quick buck by flooding the market and creating artificial demand, but they've missed out on the potential revenues of a lifetime of royalties from potentially life-long artists.
It's bad business, but they don't think with reason, they think with numbers over the past year.
Simply put, they are drones...just like the acts they promote.
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2005-12-29 19:00:00 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
I jack off, but it ain't to that, Crybaby.
Submitted by thorpe (user info) at 2005-12-29 18:51:21 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Every analysis of why the free market is so successful relies on the assumption that companies can only maximise profit by responding successfully to changes in demand. What they don't take into account is how companies can create demand through tricks like these.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 18:44:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2005-12-29 18:40:36 (#)
Ranking: -2
You can't stop crying in ANY post, can you, Sparky?
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Just like you can't stop jacking off to the sound of your own keyboard clicking.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 18:43:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I'm sure you were.
Just looking over your interview, there is enough ammunition there for about 6 months of meaningless, unrelated retorts, but I'll keep the safety on...
For now.
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2005-12-29 18:40:36 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
You can't stop crying in ANY post, can you, Sparky?
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2005-12-29 18:25:32 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
hey, I was just kidding. No reason to be so mean, gosh.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 18:00:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2005-12-29 17:27:13 (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 17:01:02 (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2005-12-29 16:59:06 (#)
Ranking: 0
I should have known better when the title bored me.
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You also should have known you wouldn't have the intelligence to comprehend one of my posts.
Let me give you a word of advice: you've never liked anything I've done, so it stands to reason you never will. Give up, I suck.
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you're right, I'm not smart enough to comprehend one of your posts. you are smarter than me and better looking and more talented but wait...aren't you the 28 year old that lives in your parents house and pretty much just bitches about stuff on the internet all day?
where as I am the 30 year old that has lived on his own since he was 18, is fairly successful in business and has a beautiful wife and daughter.
but lets not make comparisons.
I think that I have in the past rated some of your posts positively and besides I gave you a fucking 0 worth reading you simple shit.
Its not your posts that I don't like, its just you man.
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1: This is the last time I'm going to say this on this website: I don't live with my parents. They live in Kentucky; I live in Indiana. I go there on weekends to record music and do laundry. It's really none of your fucking business where I live, but since you wanna make such a big fuckig deal out of it, there you go.
2: I don't go around here boasting about smarts or looks or talent. I've never told someone "I'm smarter than you" or "I'm better looking than you" or "I'm more talented than you" on this site unless I was obviously being facetious. I'm sorry that some people can't seem to tell the difference, and I'm sorry that you've labeled me without even knowing me, but after all, this is the internet. I guess that's just what people do.
3: As for your family...congratulations, you know how to get a woman pregnant. I guess I commend you. What the fuck does that have to do with anything?
4: I'm sorry you, like a few other klingons on this website seem to have some sort of chip on your shoulder when it comes to me, and I'm sorry you feel the need to express that at every turn. I suppose you think by showing me up, you're looking like a big man to anyone who happens by. Enjoy that. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you've got a serious inferiority complex that needs to be seen to.
5: Fuck you. You don't fucking know me and you spend more time on this fucking site than I do, so you can take your judgments and shove them up your ass...or better yet, shove them up your wife's ass and maybe she'll spit out about 6 more rugrats by the time you're 40.
That goes for any of the rest of you who've got a fucking problem too.
There...now you've got a REASON to hate me.
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2005-12-29 17:27:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 17:01:02 (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2005-12-29 16:59:06 (#)
Ranking: 0
I should have known better when the title bored me.
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You also should have known you wouldn't have the intelligence to comprehend one of my posts.
Let me give you a word of advice: you've never liked anything I've done, so it stands to reason you never will. Give up, I suck.
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you're right, I'm not smart enough to comprehend one of your posts. you are smarter than me and better looking and more talented but wait...aren't you the 28 year old that lives in your parents house and pretty much just bitches about stuff on the internet all day?
where as I am the 30 year old that has lived on his own since he was 18, is fairly successful in business and has a beautiful wife and daughter.
but lets not make comparisons.
I think that I have in the past rated some of your posts positively and besides I gave you a fucking 0 worth reading you simple shit.
Its not your posts that I don't like, its just you man.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-12-29 17:08:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:49:24 (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:39:40 (#)
Ranking: -1
Where's the part where you blame George Bush for all of this?
You must have accidentally forgotten that part.
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Get over it, asshole. Why don't you go kiss TigerLilly's ass some more; I think you missed a spot.
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haha, whiny as ever...that's our ETS!!!!
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 17:01:02 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2005-12-29 16:59:06 (#)
Ranking: 0
I should have known better when the title bored me.
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You also should have known you wouldn't have the intelligence to comprehend one of my posts.
Let me give you a word of advice: you've never liked anything I've done, so it stands to reason you never will. Give up, I suck.
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2005-12-29 16:59:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I should have known better when the title bored me.
Submitted by jgreening (user info) at 2005-12-29 16:43:19 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
In Denver, gas only went up to $3.09, and now it's back down at $2.09, and there was no change for the holidays.
And before Katrina, we were $2.19.
What's funny, though, is you go 20 miles up into the mountains, gas is $2.49.
Yikes.
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2005-12-29 16:28:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 16:22:03 (#)
Ranking: 0
Ever feel like you're talking to a brick wall?
How about sheetrock?
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Quite often.
That's part of the reason I felt I needed to let go of some of my obsession with the worlds problems. Dealing with my own first has made me a considerably happier person.
I guess someone needs to work on world peace, it just isn't going to be me right now...
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 16:22:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Ever feel like you're talking to a brick wall?
How about sheetrock?
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2005-12-29 16:20:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Will some Uber woman go fuck ETS? I think it would solve a lot of his problems. I used to be almost this obsessed. Copious amounts of fucking help to ease the mental hamsters from running about quite so much.
I'm just saying...
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 16:04:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:55:04 (#)
Ranking: 0
because you're not in a major city.
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Many medium to large cities in this country don't have adequate public transportation. Many train systems have been treated as more of a novelty than a necessity, like a tourist attraction, or nostalgic holdover from some bygone era.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:55:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
because you're not in a major city.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:51:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:47:45 (#)
Ranking: 0
if amtrak didn't have the habit of cancelling my damn tickets the day before i go on the ride and then upselling me a business class seat and forcing me to go through their whole shitty cs system maybe i'd take the train more. when's the last time you took a passenger train?
and did you mean commuter train or actual passenger train? commuter trains, i agree, are few and far between. however, i can basically get to any major city from gcs on a passenger train.
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Last, and ONLY time I've ever been on a passenger train was in England. Never ridden one in America. They don't exist where I live.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:49:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:39:40 (#)
Ranking: -1
Where's the part where you blame George Bush for all of this?
You must have accidentally forgotten that part.
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Get over it, asshole. Why don't you go kiss TigerLilly's ass some more; I think you missed a spot.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:47:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
if amtrak didn't have the habit of cancelling my damn tickets the day before i go on the ride and then upselling me a business class seat and forcing me to go through their whole shitty cs system maybe i'd take the train more. when's the last time you took a passenger train?
and did you mean commuter train or actual passenger train? commuter trains, i agree, are few and far between. however, i can basically get to any major city from gcs on a passenger train.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:39:40 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
Where's the part where you blame George Bush for all of this?
You must have accidentally forgotten that part.
Submitted by sheckynecky (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:37:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by fudgepacker (user info) at 2005-12-29 14:48:52 (#)
Ranking: 0
you're no better than any of us, so shut up
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i love how when somebody tries to point out something that is true, and happens everywhere all the time, people get defensive and equate it to "you think you are better than me". Newsflash, information is out there for everybody, it doesn't require being a snobby genius to stay informed. If people weren't so defensive and sensitive maybe information would travel more easily.
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:34:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No insult intended. Just stating the obvious.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:32:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:27:33 (#)
Ranking: 2
China is just performing the jobs and services that we, as Americans, have found ourselves too good for in the past 50 years. We've lost our work ethic, and became a bunch of opinionated sissies.
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I agree with that wholeheartedly, while at the same time realizing it was probably meant as a direct personal insult.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:31:01 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Oh, I didn't mean that higher prices didn't effect anything. Quite the contrary! I think it gave us all a much-needed eye opener.
What I meant was that consumption of fuel didn't decrease as sharply as one might have expected in that scenario. There weren't enough alternatives for commuters across the country to have a huge impact.
We've built this country ass-backwards. Most of our infrastructure was built after the time of the automobile in the early part of the last century. As a result, all our cities are built for driving. Nothing is really close together enough to walk unless it's a large metropolis, and there are virtually ZERO passenger railroads between major cities.
When was the last time you took a passenger train from one city to another?
We've fucked up even further by tearing up half the train tracks we've laid because we thought we'd never need them.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:30:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
i hate the word prideful... what ever happened to proud?
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:27:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
China is just performing the jobs and services that we, as Americans, have found ourselves too good for in the past 50 years. We've lost our work ethic, and became a bunch of opinionated sissies.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:23:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
well if it makes you feel better gas prices actually affected automobile sales in california. normally they rise by a small percentage every year to match population growth blah blah blah, but this year they actually fell. so it did affect something....
you over thinked again.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:19:50 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:13:56 (#)
Ranking: 2
So it's not okay for one faction of the government to say that stable low fuel prices are a sign of a strong economy, but it's perfectly alright for the other faction to say that the formerly high prices are a sign of impending doom?
What's the difference? Both sides are manipulating your perceptions. It appears that you have been seduced by the same marketing that you are criticizing here.
BAAAAAAAAA!
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The difference here, Bob, is that the 'stable economy' happens to be a facade hiding the truth that our country is losing economical ground to China, and will soon no longer be a superpower.
We, as Americans, are raised to be so prideful of our country, it's an easier pill to swallow to simply ignore the obvious.
I'm not saying we should panic because of gasoline prices. (Actually higher prices is a good thing because it will force us to explore alternative energy FINALLY.) I'm not even saying we should panic because the government is obviously manipulating them and us. I'm just saying that we have to be ever-mindful of anyone who tries to feed us anything but the truth. They are always either trying to sell us something, or take something from us.
Submitted by MistressFist (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:19:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Suv's suck.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:15:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:10:45 (#)
Ranking: 2
I noticed that gas prices went down only while the price gouging hearings were going on, then right back up they went. It makes me think that we should regulate the industry like we do with insurance, cable, and utilities.
I'm started to get really pissed off about product placement in movies and television. I don't think there is a whole lot to be done to put the genie back in the bottle now and quite frankly, I'm one of those people with DVR shooting past commercials so they have to do something to pump up their advertising but it still pisses me off.
It also pisses me off when I'm watching a ball game and there is so much extraneous crap on the screen that I can't see the actual game. I need a popup blocker for my television.
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My God... You're like the female version of me! This is the kind of shit I fucking hate.
Music videos are the worst! Have you tried to view a music video lately on VH1 or MTV, well, besides the fact that they don't exist? You can't see a fucking thing because of all the shit on the screen. you've got scrolling bars with comments like "So and so Rules!" and you've got pictures popping up of people outside in the street giving shout outs to whothefuckever... Then you've got the MTV logo in the bottom of the screen. Then, as if that wasn't bad enough, they cut the video, not even playing it in its entirety, so we can hear some jackass talk about their upcoming album.
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:13:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
So it's not okay for one faction of the government to say that stable low fuel prices are a sign of a strong economy, but it's perfectly alright for the other faction to say that the formerly high prices are a sign of impending doom?
What's the difference? Both sides are manipulating your perceptions. It appears that you have been seduced by the same marketing that you are criticizing here.
BAAAAAAAAA!
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:10:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I noticed that gas prices went down only while the price gouging hearings were going on, then right back up they went. It makes me think that we should regulate the industry like we do with insurance, cable, and utilities.
I'm started to get really pissed off about product placement in movies and television. I don't think there is a whole lot to be done to put the genie back in the bottle now and quite frankly, I'm one of those people with DVR shooting past commercials so they have to do something to pump up their advertising but it still pisses me off.
It also pisses me off when I'm watching a ball game and there is so much extraneous crap on the screen that I can't see the actual game. I need a popup blocker for my television.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:09:02 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by c1ndy (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:03:50 (#)
Ranking: 2
That's what a good teacher would do. I just tell them to shut up and write it down because I am an adult and they are chavs.
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HAHAHAHAHA!
CRACK THAT WHIP!
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:06:15 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:02:17 (#)
Ranking: 1
with the exception of the gas prices, who gives a fuck?
good for mcdonalds for researching their colors and shit...good for cvs for putting candy bars in the faces of little kids...i don't understand how you can blame a single corporation for trying to maximize their profit.
that is in a completley different category than the whole consumer confidence / stable growing economy / gas prices shit. shouldn't have been in the same post.
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Tim, this is more of a commentary on the limitations and vulnerability of the human brain than anything else. Hence the inclusion of the other random info at the end.
The point is, our brains are under constant bombardment in this materialistic, consumerist society we've built for ourselves, and that has robbed us of a piece of our soul, I think.
Submitted by Teephphah (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:05:35 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
needs more communism.
Submitted by FilthyAssistant (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:04:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by el_em_en_oh (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:00:28 (#)
Ranking: 1
And I wish those fucking limey bastards would STFU about how expensive their "petrol" is every time we even make mention of how much ours costs.)
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Show some respect for the motherland dude - if it wasn't for "fucking limey bastards" you'd be doing a raindance outside your wigwam right now.
....wait...
Damn.
Submitted by c1ndy (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:03:50 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 14:57:24 (#)
Ranking: 0
C1ndy: Colors are just one of the very basic components of our state of mind. If someone doesn't believe you when you tell them that, simply put them in a room painted completely obright yellow for an hour and ask them how they feel. Then take them to another room painted in a more subtle, darker, blue or purple and ask them if they feel different.
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That's what a good teacher would do. I just tell them to shut up and write it down because I am an adult and they are chavs.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:03:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Stin (user info) at 2005-12-29 14:57:27 (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm not entirely sure you're blame-free in all of this, but either way it was a wicked good rant.
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I agree...
That's why the title reads: "WE'RE all a bunch of fucking sheep"
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:02:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
with the exception of the gas prices, who gives a fuck?
good for mcdonalds for researching their colors and shit...good for cvs for putting candy bars in the faces of little kids...i don't understand how you can blame a single corporation for trying to maximize their profit.
that is in a completley different category than the whole consumer confidence / stable growing economy / gas prices shit. shouldn't have been in the same post.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:01:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by kissmyarse (user info) at 2005-12-29 14:57:57 (#)
Ranking: 0
Plagerizer
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What the fuck?
Submitted by el_em_en_oh (user info) at 2005-12-29 15:00:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Well written, well thought out, well executed: +2
Deal with it and quit being a whiny pussy: -1
(Seriously though, I agree with the words that are coming out of your mouth. And I wish those fucking limey bastards would STFU about how expensive their "petrol" is every time we even make mention of how much ours costs.)
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 14:59:18 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2005-12-29 14:55:46 (#)
Ranking: -1
Sorry after reading I have to revise my rating.
How you can complain about petrol/gas prices of $2 per gallon, when ours hit £1 per Litre (4.5 Litres = 1 Gallon), still leaves me puzzled.
I liked the arguement and agreed with some points, so I think this should end up as a +1 overall.
I really shouldn't get attracted to the flashing swirly lights.
-Dave
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Dave, this wasn't a complaint about high gas prices, dude. This was a complaint about the way our government manipulates its consumers by creating the ILLUSION of a stable economy USING gasoline prices as a selling point.
Submitted by ahumblefool (user info) at 2005-12-29 14:59:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Good thing, or I would be out of a job manipulating all you sheep ;)
Submitted by kissmyarse (user info) at 2005-12-29 14:57:57 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Plagerizer
Submitted by Stin (user info) at 2005-12-29 14:57:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm not entirely sure you're blame-free in all of this, but either way it was a wicked good rant.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2005-12-29 14:57:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
C1ndy: Colors are just one of the very basic components of our state of mind. If someone doesn't believe you when you tell them that, simply put them in a room painted completely obright yellow for an hour and ask them how they feel. Then take them to another room painted in a more subtle, darker, blue or purple and ask them if they feel different.
Submitted by FilthyAssistant (user info) at 2005-12-29 14:56:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2005-12-29 14:55:46 (#)
Ranking: -1
Sorry after reading I have to revise my rating.
How you can complain about petrol/gas prices of $2 per gallon, when ours hit £1 per Litre (4.5 Litres = 1 Gallon), still leaves me puzzled.
===
Cost of living over there is way cheaper Dave. And they get paid a shitlot less than we (well, I) do :P
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2005-12-29 14:55:46 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
Sorry after reading I have to revise my rating.
How you can complain about petrol/gas prices of $2 per gallon, when ours hit £1 per Litre (4.5 Litres = 1 Gallon), still leaves me puzzled.
I liked the arguement and agreed with some points, so I think this should end up as a +1 overall.
I really shouldn't get attracted to the flashing swirly lights.
-Dave
Submitted by Sassmasterr (user info) at 2005-12-29 14:53:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
"...That's extreme! Look! EXTREME Cheddar Doritos!"
Submitted by c1ndy (user info) at 2005-12-29 14:51:29 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
ETS is it the poo making you angry?
You should come and teach some of my Media Studies classes- when I tell the kids about stuff like colours being used to manipulate consumers they think I am making it up.
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2005-12-29 14:49:41 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 for fucking up my eyesight with your illusion thingy.
Didn't read it though.
-Dave
Submitted by fudgepacker (user info) at 2005-12-29 14:48:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
you're no better than any of us, so shut up