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Op-ed: Media, not Turner, should apologize to Boston »

Posted by: Wil 2 years, 10 months ago

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The media should stop referring to the viral marketing campaign as a terrorist hoax, because it wasn't. And all these politicians and reporters who are embarrassed now that it's clear they overreacted should also stop trying so hard to put this all at Turner's feet. Turner and [adult swim] have nothing to apologize for, but the hysterical media do.

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Wil

I was a Propeller Scout, and I ran the Geeks Group. AOL sent me to the land of Wind and Ghosts, though, so I don ...

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Comments: 47

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neuroticus
Feb. 1, 2007, 6:21 p.m.
I'm not sure if placing glowing mechanical devices around a major metropolis should ONLY be considered littering. It's definitely NOT even close to as bad as the authorities are making it out to be (terrorism? public hysteria? lol), but I still prefer to keep my streets free of these types of things.
And yes, I've watched that show, and I love Adult Swim, etc. I just don't want people getting in the habit of hanging little devices everywhere.
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coreyspring
Feb. 1, 2007, 6:53 p.m.
You've hit the nail on the head again, Wil, as usual.
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patchett
Feb. 1, 2007, 7:08 p.m.
Sounds to me, Boston is trying to save face. And calling it a terrorist hoax, is there such a thing? Do terrorist's fake terror?
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ThomMcCarty
Feb. 1, 2007, 8:35 p.m.
Someone please define foer me "terrorist hoax"
Terrorism is a term used to describe violence, usually against civilians, committed by a person or organization striving to make a political statement and "terrorist" (someone who engages in terrorism)
A hoax is an attempt to trick an audience into believing that something false is real.
The only violence here was in the reaction of the "authorities" and the talking head media trying to convince their "audience" that there was something for which to be alarmed.
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TOD396
Feb. 1, 2007, 9:15 p.m.
bottom line, Turner used a marketing attempt that gets maximum exposure with minimal investment. The only problem is that the method used was to get the exact results they got. Therefore, if Turner wnated it, they got it. They should be held accountable for their actions. If screaming fire in a crowded theater is wrong, so is placing suspicious-looking electronic devices in places that seem like a terrorist action. Remember, we're not in Kansas anymore. Turner should be forced to cancel whatever show it was promoting, and be forced to do no advertising of any form for 5 years. Turner can then approach the genius marketing company and tell them they are responsible, as they are.
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spiegelfellows
Feb. 1, 2007, 10:05 p.m.
UNBELIEVABLE.
the media in its neverending quest for the sensational pumps fear into america without asking a single question. had one solitary photo been posted of the so called "electronic devices" with its scary lights and switches any 15 year old would have asked them to dial it waaay down. we are surely prisoners of our own fear. i remember thinking something was truly wrong because they were finding all of these scary devices in Boston. i was afraid for the citizens there but now i just feel sorry for them.
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THOMNH62
Feb. 1, 2007, 10:53 p.m.
I still think the guys in the press confrence should go to jail for being felony morons.
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dheg
Feb. 2, 2007, 12:28 a.m.
What scares me is that the police in a major US city can't tell the difference between a sign with blinking lights and an IED.
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mr-sir
Feb. 2, 2007, 12:28 a.m.
The media is more reasponsible for the "terrorist hoax" than the company is.
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AFAirman
Feb. 2, 2007, 7:21 a.m.
I can't believe this made the homepage with the foul language it has in it. I'm glad the title didn't have "Cartoon Network" in it or my kid would have read it.
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TOD396
Feb. 2, 2007, 7:47 a.m.
What is also amazing is the fact that there are alot of people who feel that they can determine whether a device has the potential to explode, simply by seeing a picture of it on TV. News flash: Those harmless devices could have been explosives. What do you think a bomb is? A black ball with a wick on it like you see in cartoons? Or several red sticks of TNT wrapped together? bombs can take the appearance of just about anything you could think of. Therefore, it was entirely possible that the devices found could have been used to blow something up. As it was, they were just junk. The placement of the devices were done to emit the response that was recieved. That was irresponsible of Turner and the marketing company. They should be made accountable.
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Bostonian
Feb. 2, 2007, 8:41 a.m.
All you indivudals that think this was a joke or over reaction will be the very same people who complain that the authorities didn't do enough if this had not been a hoax. In such sensative times it is very irresponsible and self-serving of this marketing company to not have researched what impact this would have on the public and Boston. I think the idiots responsible for this stupid hoax should have to foot the bill. Not lets see who is laughing!
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CharacterCounts
Feb. 2, 2007, 9:03 a.m.
What do you expect from someone who married Jane Fonda? Someone should go to jail for this bomb scare.
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annam
Feb. 2, 2007, 9:49 a.m.
I think they should all no better than to place this items around cities like they did. This is the wrong time in time to pull off a stunt like this. What are they thinking anyway. I think the reaction to this was fully justified and I think they ought to jail those dumb dudes. Furthermore, bill them for the additional manpower it took to investigate this situation.
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contrast
Feb. 2, 2007, 9:47 a.m.
Look I like the show in question here I think it is hilarious but this stunt was irresponsible. No we cant run a commercial or anything like that no lets put strange packages all over a metroplitan area. Yeah and after the first one is found at 1 pm lets not call the police and tel them no! let's let this run till past 4 pm. IRRESPONSIBLE. that plan worked exactly like they wanted it to and still is. If they called the police and explained after the first package was found I could understand..but they didnt. make no mistake they WANTED this attention. I love the show but please prosecute these idiots.
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clobbledank
Feb. 2, 2007, 10:03 a.m.
Ted Turner should be in jail for having been married to the bitch jane fonda!
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jwh1476
Feb. 2, 2007, 10:39 a.m.
If it really were a IED it would not have had flashing lights on it for everyone to see and the city should have realized that.Seems like the artist should have added something to it though like the date of the release of the feature film 3-23-7 ATHF or something so people would have a clue that dont watch the show.People just didnt know, if it had been Homer Simpson on the display this never would have happened.
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ilustr8r
Feb. 2, 2007, 10:45 a.m.
The first thing you all need to realize is that these "devices went up in 10 ajor cities across the US and that the two guys arrested in Boston did not plan the marketing campaign or create the devices. These guys were hired guerilla marketing (posterers) reps that were asked to place the devices in high traffic areas. The image was an LED cartoon character that appears to be gesturing with his middle finger. "This is clearly not the work of Durka Durkastan". The two arrested were some part time installers. The "boxes" were 2-3 inch thick flat panes with an LED animated character on them 4 c-cells and magnets on the back. This was an attempt at subliminal impressions and the purpose was to amuse people with the technology not to create bomb scares. All of those involved in the scare should me a bit embarrassed after the first one was carefully scrutinized.
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ilustr8r
Feb. 2, 2007, 10:49 a.m.
Search ignignokt on ebay and you will see one of these in many cities for sale. All that the media has done is raised the ebay value.
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ilustr8r
Feb. 2, 2007, 10:51 a.m.
Quite a few people DID KNOW what these were and thought it was cool. If you look up ignignokt and neon on ebay you will find these things in some form or another in bars and clubs in major cities too.
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mozzer
Feb. 2, 2007, 11:10 a.m.
This show has a cult following. You can't fault Boston's officials for not keeping up with obscure cartoon shows.
You can debate the merits of Boston's perceived over reaction. At the very least, it was a good test run of Boston's emergency facilities. They seem to have have their s*** together, everyone in that city should take comfort in that.
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nihilistic
Feb. 2, 2007, 11:51 a.m.
This is too funny. The police looked like fools and are looking for someone to blame. The media hyped the incident and magnified the police response. It's my understanding that these devices were in place for quite some time and and ad campaign was run concurrent. To paraphrase a quote from Ben Franklin "Those who choose security over liberty deserve neither".
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normallysilent
Feb. 2, 2007, 11:58 a.m.
I would say anyone going around putting up boxes with lights or anything those lines on bridges and buildings in this day and age to be totally irresponsible. Actually the lights would make me feel better if I came across it. I don't think terrorists would use anything with lights which would draw attention. The part of this I find the most disturbing is that these were supposedly in place for some length of time without being noticed and just how did anyone put all these in place without anyone seeing and questioning what was going on.