A) Product.

August 14, 2002 10:03 AM

A) Product. Your visit to this site may be monitored by British Intelligence Services.
posted by josephtate (24 comments total)

This isn't related to the Mark Thomas Comedy Product is it? Seems to be on about the same level.
posted by Summer at 10:11 AM on August 14, 2002

I clicked on it and my phone rang. Not funny. :)
posted by vbfg at 10:13 AM on August 14, 2002

I don't really get it, but this page seems to about say it all. Is there a point to all of this, or do I have to click through all of the random images and rants?
posted by yhbc at 10:28 AM on August 14, 2002

They are so deep. Corporations are bad. Schools don't teach you about deeper meanings. blah, blah,blah. Of course it may just be a parody of far-left thinking but, it's hard for me to tell. I did like the design though.
posted by monkeyman at 10:34 AM on August 14, 2002

pretentious. Put out by onewho somehow imagines that he above it all and the rest of us are exploited and used by Larger Forces
posted by Postroad at 10:34 AM on August 14, 2002

thanks josephate... I thought it was a good link.

"Business is a great neighbor."
posted by mooseindian at 10:35 AM on August 14, 2002

Damn, I hate when the guy who posts before you do sums everything up so nicely that your post is superfluous.
posted by monkeyman at 10:36 AM on August 14, 2002

You remember way back in time, when you had no idea giant corporations were evil, teachers went to school to get a paycheque, newspapers didn't always tell the truth, and that people were trying to manipulate and deceive you into thinking or acting in certain ways?

Some people haven't figured this out yet.
posted by Fabulon7 at 10:39 AM on August 14, 2002

Seemed like a visual rendition of Radiohead's "Fitter Happier" with an anti-corporate message.
posted by Wingy at 10:47 AM on August 14, 2002

Good link. What's everyone moaning about? Is it stating the obvious too much?

I live in Japan and mind-control over here is rife. Everybody's programmed to perform a particular task, like a robot. I thought "aproduct" summed up many things we already knew, but that doesn't make it wrong. It also disregards many of the advantages of working in a division-of-labour society (high standard of living being one), but still that doesn't make it wrong. There are advantages and disadvantages to living in a developed world. This web-site was simply highlighting the disadvantages.
posted by SpaceCadet at 11:01 AM on August 14, 2002

"...imagines... the rest of us are exploited and used by Larger Forces"

I am exploited and used by Larger Forces. Maybe that's why I loved Product. Seems like most of what I look at all day long boils down to what's on this site.

It's ART to me.
posted by argybarple at 11:07 AM on August 14, 2002

I share the artists' gripes with modern society: the potential abuse of technology, vapid pop culture and crass commercialism/materialism. I disagree heartily, however, with their conclusions and several of their presuppositions. I gathered a sense of hatred for specialization of labor as well. It seems the artist(s) is in favor of subsistence farming and strict vegetarianism. Fine, do that if you like, but don't try to drag me down with you. People are still free to make choices and try to live as they please, though it may take a lot of effort in today's society.

Some of it seems like whiny moralizing, but I appreciated this (mouse over each graphic or it won't make sense).
posted by insomnyuk at 11:24 AM on August 14, 2002

This one should be on the opening page.
Wheel of work
posted by gametone at 11:38 AM on August 14, 2002

Where can I buy the Anti-Capitalist Crackpot Clipart CD?
posted by Hildago at 11:48 AM on August 14, 2002

This site would probably make more sense if Mozilla weren't clipping the hover tags after the first hundred characters or so.
posted by Mars Saxman at 12:17 PM on August 14, 2002

It strives to lay out this guys anti-consumption philosophy in easily consumed artistic chunks. I applaud the effort, though it is a bit of a chore having to navigate through each section linearly. And his scheme of making you search each page for the link to the next page, feels a bit coercive. Like we are in an intrusive online form, being forced by lawyers to read (scroll through some text) before we click. But it was OK, once I relaxed into it. But some sort of index that let's you get to what you need to consume quickly would be nice and friendly like.

Preachy? Yes, but these are obviously heartfelt, personal statements, and that makes a difference. He lays out his figures, and shows you your mantra, has a message for all you kids, a plan that might work, and has easy to digest ads.

Did anyone notice any credits on this site? All I saw was the email address. I'm assuming it is one person and that person is male, but that's just my psychic sense kicking in.

The other thing I wonder is if he is quoting other writers, or if it is all his own work?
posted by gametone at 1:07 PM on August 14, 2002

and the cherry on top: book sales chart... for all to choose!
posted by ultradian at 2:45 PM on August 14, 2002

I'm heartened to see that most people responding were as annoyed as I was. Sanctimonious piece of garbage — I have no problem with people feeling enlightened; but the arrogance of thinking that you are the only one and everyone else is a mindless drone is just a bit much.
posted by sylloge at 4:05 PM on August 14, 2002

Not "piece of garbage". Sorry, author. It is well put together; I just completely disagree with the message.
posted by sylloge at 6:37 PM on August 14, 2002

I don't get where the pretension angle comes from. where does this guy say he's the "only one?"
posted by mcsweetie at 8:17 PM on August 14, 2002

mcsweetie: Following the first "man" link:

pg 1 "collective hyponosis" endlessly loops
pg 3 "... inhabitants ... having their wishes satisified and not having wishes which cannot be satisfied; automotons ... who follow without leaders" (Presumably not a self-portrait.)
pg 5 " wake commute traffic work", etc. Repeat. (Suckers, yeah!)
pg 7 by, about and for fuckwits (Why am I the only one who can see The Truth!)

But the How to create a desolated human being was what really got to me.

God forbid that anyone should be able to evaluate themselves as successful beyond conformity.

Successful people are those who believe what they are told with a minimum of resistance.

"Therefore, I am going to experience as little success in my life as possible."? Ultimate cop out. The world is as much his to change as any Pepsico. exec (though I'm sure the creator of A Project" could compose some really compelling excuses).
posted by sylloge at 8:41 PM on August 14, 2002

The world is as much his to change as any Pepsico. exec

I guess the point of contention here is that you believe that, whereas others may know better,
posted by mcsweetie at 9:02 PM on August 14, 2002

> I guess the point of contention here is that you believe that, whereas others may know better,

People are free to make their lives as small and insignificant as they want. They are also free to make them as powerful and transformative as they want.

I mean, have you ever met a Pepsico exec? How puny do you think you are?

I spent a few days with a former CEO of Burger King once. Nice guy. Retired early to spend more time with his two sons while they were growing up. Good with numbers, funny. Did a lot of volunteer work in his community. Had about as much direct power to change the world as many teachers, architects, designers and activitists I've met.
posted by sylloge at 9:52 PM on August 14, 2002

I liked the site. I've read more than a few anti-corporation/establishment rants in my time, but this one actually held my intrest with its unique design.
posted by joedan at 11:46 PM on August 14, 2002