Number 274,951 on the list of things I do not understand

[haardvark]

Every year we get the phonebook. I think it's pretty outmoded technology but it has its occasional uses and I'm sure lots of folks would feel lost without theirs.

Every year or so, somewhat at random, we also get "The Easier to Read Alternative" which is just a privately produced phone book with a different ad layout and an incomplete private listing. There are a couple of bells and whistles (stadium layouts in Toronto and Ottawa, a local transit map...) but really, what's the fucking point? How are these people making any money? (Well, I KNOW how...more to the point, why is anyone paying these clowns for ad space?)

I was ready to turf the whole thing, uncracked, into the recycle, and noticed there was a CD envelope glued to the inside front page. The splash panel says "Install the Interactive Telephone Directory and experience Live Ads, see TV commercials and Hear Radio Ads on your Home Computer!!"

Yeah. Right after I pour muriatic acid on my testicles. How hopped up on illegal substances would anyone have to be for this to sound like a good idea?

Comments

[laserkitty.livejournal.com]

Yeah, whatever genius came up with that idea should be shot...helloooo..

Not sure I've mentioned this yet...but your new icon is a wee bit creepy to me.

[beagledave.livejournal.com]

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0721051gold1.html

[haardvark.livejournal.com]

I swear, dave, I was all set to give props. I stole it from your link to begin with.

It's my shiny new I R DUM icon.

[mauvaise.livejournal.com]

"Install the Interactive Telephone Directory and experience Live Ads, see TV commercials and Hear Radio Ads on your Home Computer!!"


I can't stop laughing over that. I mean seriously - how oblivious are these people that they thought this is a selling point?!

That's just what I want: more commercials and ads.

Yep, still laughing!

[dantheman70.livejournal.com]

Poor marketing, but the idea isn't so awful. The Yellow Pages down here is for businesses to advertise, right? So these guys are basically making those ads electronically searchable and are presenting them as multimedia. But to tell the CUSTOMER they get to hear more ads is just dopey.

[scout1222.livejournal.com]

I've gotten about 8 phone books since I moved into this place last year. But I can't say any of them have had that special interactive feature (that I know of - MAYBE I ACCIDENTALLY THREW IT OUT OH NOES!).