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Peloton ad
Replies
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I don't think there's anything wrong or unusual with people overwhelmed by the bigger issues to get momentarily obsessed with unimportant things for a bit of respite. I have found the differing perspectives in this thread fascinating.
I will no doubt spend hours today on stuff that isn't "important" and 10 or so minutes of that time will be reading and thinking about an ad for an exercise bike. It's only a big deal for a handful of keyboard warriors, for the rest of us it's a couple of minutes of unnecessary pop culture that we try to wring a little insight out of before turning our attention back to the more daunting issues out there. <shrug>
This might be a hot take, but IMHO the extended life cycle of this "controversy" is actually being fueled by all the people offended by the controversy, not the original criticism itself.7 -
There's a bad driver joke in there somewhere.
The link is obviously a guy, because he refused to stop to ask for directions.
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RelCanonical wrote: »
Yeah, I'm not sure where the indicator is that it was a total surprise. I saw it like a red ryder rifle thing, where it's what they wanted but didn't expect to get, in this case probably because it's so grossly expensive lol.
You should never ride a Peloton Bike.... you could put your eye out with that thing.6 -
To me, her nervousness over her first ride was more of an indication that it was a surprise gift, but of course everyone interprets things differently. I feel silly even commenting on my interpretation though, because its kind of ridiculous that this commercial is being analyzed as much as it is. I think people are going to naturally put themselves in that situation and see the commercial from their own point of view which is why some people may have a problem with it. I still think theres nothing wrong with the commercial and any outrage is ridiculous, but some people just need to have something to be pissed off about I suppose.
Welllllll . . . I think that for some reason they made the woman seem like a pretty but anxious, approval-seeking human equivalent of a cute, big-eyed Disney animal via their choice of actress and her use of body language/expression, and I assume they had some reason.
I'm pretty sure that doesn't make me an "anxious, approval-seeking (etc.)" who's therefore offended. (I don't think that's very close at all to my psychological profile, frankly
). I'm not offended by it; as suggested by my first post in the thread, I'm not agitated in any way. I've seen remarkably few direct instances of people being "pissed off" about it here or in the broader environment (but yes, a few); I've seen quite a few making fun of it, eye-rolling about it, critiquing it from an effectiveness standpoint, and so forth.
Analyzing advertising is fun, IMO. It's about the most pure and naked attempt at manipulating us that we get to see in the world around us, and it's being done by people who use a lot of study and research to do it as expertly and effectively and (usually) subtly as possible. I feel like I learn from analyzing it, not only about how to avoid being influenced by advertising tricks, but about what my personal psychological triggers might be, plus those of other target groups.9 -
Welllllll . . . I think that for some reason they made the woman seem like a pretty but anxious, approval-seeking human equivalent of a cute, big-eyed Disney animal via their choice of actress and her use of body language/expression, and I assume they had some reason.
I'm pretty sure that doesn't make me an "anxious, approval-seeking (etc.)" who's therefore offended. (I don't think that's very close at all to my psychological profile, frankly ). I'm not offended by it; as suggested by my first post in the thread, I'm not agitated in any way. I've seen remarkably few direct instances of people being "pissed off" about it here or in the broader environment (but yes, a few); I've seen quite a few making fun of it, eye-rolling about it, critiquing it from an effectiveness standpoint, and so forth.
Analyzing advertising is fun, IMO. It's about the most pure and naked attempt at manipulating us that we get to see in the world around us, and it's being done by people who use a lot of study and research to do it as expertly and effectively and (usually) subtly as possible. I feel like I learn from analyzing it, not only about how to avoid being influenced by advertising tricks, but about what my personal psychological triggers might be, plus those of other target groups.
There are times when I am watching TV and I see the commercials and I start questioning my viewing tastes because it’s obvious that I am NOT the target audience for that show.
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In the end it'll just fade away like all of the other diet and exercise fads that have come and gone. Like step-aerobics classes and the cabbage soup diet. But in the meantime there is some overweight and unhappy millenial sitting on his or her couch wishing for it, watching the commercial and thinking 'if only I could have this Peloton then I too could be happy and skinny and live in a cool house and be able to get up early and drive a nice car and wear nice clothes to work and have a great kid and....' Because that's what ads do. They don't sell you the product, the sell you the subconscious notion that your life can be as cool or as perfect as the characters portrayed in the ad if you use the product.3
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BoxerBrawler wrote: »Anyone see the article about Peloton's holiday ad? It is getting criticized for having undertones of sexism and classism. Give me a break! Why is everyone offended by everything these days? The only problem I have with the ad is how the woman claims that she's scared before her first ride. What the hell is there to be scared of? in the comfort of your own home, all alone? This world.... SMH!
http://msn.com/en-us/money/companies/pelotons-holiday-ad-made-some-onlookers-cringe-but-experts-say-it-wont-hurt-the-brand/ar-BBXGZNv?ocid=ientp
Why does it bother you what strangers are offended by...?4 -
NorthCascades wrote: »
Why does it bother you what strangers are offended by...?
I'm offended by people getting offended!
Related:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW1uN0SjKPY 4 -
RelCanonical wrote: »
I offended that you mentioned people even being offended! I need my safe space now!
......lol
On a side note. I just looked up how much these thing cost! $2300 US! Hell, I could almost build a small home gym with that!4 -
NorthCascades wrote: »
Why does it bother you what strangers are offended by...?
It bothers me in general because everyone is so sensitive these days.3 -
BoxerBrawler wrote: »
It bothers me in general because everyone is so sensitive these days.
Being bothered by other people being bothered is just another form of sensitivity, is it not?15 -
psychod787 wrote: »
I offended that you mentioned people even being offended! I need my safe space now! ......lol
On a side note. I just looked up how much these thing cost! $2300 US! Hell, I could almost build a small home gym with that!
Plus the yearly fee if you actually want to use the service that makes it different from just a regular bike (online streaming classes, apparently). I think most of us aren't the target audience lol.0 -
BoxerBrawler wrote: »
It bothers me in general because everyone is so sensitive these days.
How could you say this ??
Everyone?
.... Everyone ???
Post Reported.
I demand an apology !!4 -
Motorsheen wrote: »
How could you say this ??
Everyone?
.... Everyone ???
Post Reported.
I demand an apology !!
Hey - I got your apology right here... (imagine obscene gesture)
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janejellyroll wrote: »
Being bothered by other people being bothered is just another form of sensitivity, is it not?
Nope.
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RelCanonical wrote: »
Plus the yearly fee if you actually want to use the service that makes it different from just a regular bike (online streaming classes, apparently). I think most of us aren't the target audience lol.
and additional fees for live classes.
the other fee is for prerecorded classes2 -
Those recurring fees are where they get ya. I'll make a big one-time purchase if I think I'm getting a long-lasting quality product, but I'm super stingy on recurring fees because those add up quickly.3 -
janejellyroll wrote: »
Being bothered by other people being bothered is just another form of sensitivity, is it not?
Yup. And I'd argue there are more people "outraged at people being outraged" than there is actual outrage in our society nowadays.6 -
Contrarian take on the ad: https://arcdigital.media/stop-gaslighting-the-peloton-wife-916f9b400ccf3
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In that article it reads - "it does capture what people love about the product. Peloton Wife is transformed by her bike: mentally, emotionally, even spiritually. It gives her a sense of accomplishment, community. The message is perfectly clear: this isn’t just a workout, it’s a damn near religious experience."
What? Oh, I'm sorry, I always thought all of that stuff came from within.
For the record, my original post was trying to point out that the people who are offended by this commercial in my opinion are idiots. Their offense offends me hahaha!0 -
BoxerBrawler wrote: »
So if someone is bothered by an ad, that's a problem with them being too sensitive.
If you're bothered by someone's response to an ad, that's . . . ?9 -
RelCanonical wrote: »
Plus the yearly fee if you actually want to use the service that makes it different from just a regular bike (online streaming classes, apparently). I think most of us aren't the target audience lol.
You mean "privileged", not that privileged?! Lol🤣0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »
Being bothered by other people being bothered is just another form of sensitivity, is it not?
I've missed you.8 -
7
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Contrarian take on the ad: https://arcdigital.media/stop-gaslighting-the-peloton-wife-916f9b400ccf
Sure sign you have reached the bottom of the Barrel of Peloton Ad Hot Takes. Nothing but dust and a few dead insects after that.5 -
nutmegoreo wrote: »
I've missed you.
Seconding. I have missed you too!2 -
BoxerBrawler wrote: »
* request accepted.5 -
BoxerBrawler wrote: »In that article it reads - "it does capture what people love about the product. Peloton Wife is transformed by her bike: mentally, emotionally, even spiritually. It gives her a sense of accomplishment, community. The message is perfectly clear: this isn’t just a workout, it’s a damn near religious experience."
What? Oh, I'm sorry, I always thought all of that stuff came from within.
For the record, my original post was trying to point out that the people who are offended by this commercial in my opinion are idiots. Their offense offends me hahaha!
Also, the quoted article's interpretation of what the ad "captures" seems to be a complete projection on the part of the author. There's zero evidence for it in the actual ad.
That's what bothered me about the ad, not the "why does a thin person need a bike" or "yuck, an ad for a highly priced product" or "this gift shows the husband is controlling and trying to force his already thin wife to spend hours exercising."
No, what bothered me was that there is nothing in the ad to support the idea that she has benefited from the bike in any way. No visuals or dialog that support any benefit, beyond her saying something like "I didn't know how much this would mean to me." No indication that she built speed, power, or endurance. No suggestion that any measures of physical fitness improved. And as far as some sense of "accomplishment," as the article said, she looks as uncertain and frightened all through the ad as she did at the beginning -- they could have immensely improved it with just one shot of her looking fatigued as she pedaled and then getting a gritty look and starting to pedal harder. As far as some sense of community -- she's all alone pedaling. No evidence that she connects in any way to other members of the Peloton community.
It's just seems like a bad ad. The people who would buy it based on that ad must have houses full of everything they've ever seen an ad for.11 -
L1zardQueen wrote: »
Seconding. I have missed you too!
Me too!2 -
lynn_glenmont wrote: »
Also, the quoted article's interpretation of what the ad "captures" seems to be a complete projection on the part of the author. There's zero evidence for it in the actual ad.
That's what bothered me about the ad, not the "why does a thin person need a bike" or "yuck, an ad for a highly priced product" or "this gift shows the husband is controlling and trying to force his already thin wife to spend hours exercising."
No, what bothered me was that there is nothing in the ad to support the idea that she has benefited from the bike in any way. No visuals or dialog that support any benefit, beyond her saying something like "I didn't know how much this would mean to me." No indication that she built speed, power, or endurance. No suggestion that any measures of physical fitness improved. And as far as some sense of "accomplishment," as the article said, she looks as uncertain and frightened all through the ad as she did at the beginning -- they could have immensely improved it with just one shot of her looking fatigued as she pedaled and then getting a gritty look and starting to pedal harder. As far as some sense of community -- she's all alone pedaling. No evidence that she connects in any way to other members of the Peloton community.
It's just seems like a bad ad. The people who would buy it based on that ad must have houses full of everything they've ever seen an ad for.
Minor quibble: There was that tiny moment when the star virtual instructor gave her a shout-out by name ("Grace", was it? Can't recall.) about her 50 sessions or some such, and she got all glow-y and excited about it. That's connection . . . I guess. 1
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