Buy Or Don’t Buy

Your ultimate shopping guide for a reputation economy.
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Nate being bitchy

Buy: Pointing Out Things That Are Similar

This past weekend’s episode of SNL was just alright, but it did include this funny parody of home security systems ads:

However, it would have been even funnier if Sara hadn’t shown me this clip from Target Women six months ago:

Obviously it’s not fair to assume that Saturday Night Live stole the sketch; Target Women, after [...]

Don’t Buy: These Characters

The most offensive part of my day is undoubtedly the 30 seconds I spend walking through the parade of advertising that is the 47-50th Street subway station. For the past few months the ads in this station have been exclusively for the little-seen and little-loved Spike-TV comedy “Blue Mountain State.” Most of them are offensive [...]

Don’t Buy: Sports in 3D

Hey, remember when “Avatar” made lots of money? Let’s use that as an opportunity to learn all the wrong lessons!
From USA Today:
This week, ESPN announced plans to launch an all-sports 3D [television] network on June 11, starting with World Cup soccer and eventually including the Summer X Games (extreme sports) and college basketball and college [...]

Don’t Buy: Cartoon Characters With Attitude

Readers, there are many times in life where you will find yourself presented with a total information overload. The next one minute and 49 seconds will be like that for you:

Where can we even begin to reckon with this? It’s best to start by eliminating the obvious. I’m not going to tread the well-worn path [...]

Don’t Buy: Dudes in Jewelry Commercials

I get it. You’re a sweet and caring dude who loves giving presents to his girlfriend. Nothing wrong with that. But do you have to be so weird about it?

“I’m right here….and I always will be.” Good effort, I guess. Shows that you’re loyal and that you can come up with some quick quips. But [...]

Don’t Buy: Not Knowing What Words Mean

John Mullin is a contributing sportswriter for SI.com, which means that in theory it is his job to understand statistics and the English language. But in the middle of his ranking of the NFL’s best QB-RB combos is this gem:
An offense 32nd in rushing average is just that: average. Even with [Peyton] Manning.
There are 32 [...]

Don’t Buy: Graduating

So, apologies for the lack of posts. Half of us graduated/moved this week, which gives us a good excuse. The rest of them, I have no idea what they’re up to.

Don’t Buy: Economic Determinism for Monsters

Back in November, this chart from the sci-fi blog io9 caused a stir in economics- and zombie-loving circles. It purported to show an uptick in the number of zombie movies produced in times of economic or social unrest. As the creators said:
Still, even correcting for the fact that there are more movies being made today, [...]

Buy: Misspelled Graffiti

Is there any fail more epic than misspelled graffiti? You go to all the trouble of thinking up a memorable message, purchasing supplies and scouting suitable locations, and then halfway through you realize that the raspy-voiced pop singer is actually ‘Stewart.’ What can you do but try and finish strong and hope that no one [...]

Don’t Buy: Early Adopters

During the course of my travels today, I walked past two Apple stores. Each had a line outside stretching around the block, full of unfortunate souls who had to spend a beautiful Saturday holed up in a nasty,sweaty queue trying to get a phone to work. (Apple provided stylish black umbrellas so people didn’t get [...]