Often, at some point in the course of an automobile commercial, you'll see the following text quickly flash on the bottom of your television screen: "Professional driver on a closed course. Please do not attempt." In most cases, this is an outstanding advice. Granted, that Saturn zipping through the winding roads on the countryside with no regard for traffic lanes or rules of the road may look to be enjoying itself, but if you go out and mimic this in your 1994 Ford Tempo odds are you may wind up flipped over in ditch or embedded in the grill of an 18-wheeler.
Recently though, I noticed a car ad that I feel should not put forth this message, no matter how small the text is. It features a large arena that appears to be some sort of 21st-Century Colosseum. A crowd of thousands pounds its hands in unison as some sort of motor carriage wheels out on the arena floor. Like Maximus Decimus Meridius on his way to another gladiatorial victory, the car moves slowly, as if it's absorbing the cheers of the crowd. (As best I can tell, the crowd does not refer to the car as "Spaniard.")
It is at this point that the "Do not attempt," message presents itself, like and unwanted magazine salesperson.
Honestly? This message is seen as necessary in this commercial?
Call me crazy, but if someone has the time, resources and motivation to:
1) secure a plot of land large enough for an arena that seats thousands;
2) design the arena;
3) acquire the materials necessary for arena construction;
4) construct the arena, following proper building ordinances;
5) hire thousands of people to sit in the arena;
6) have the crowd practice their uniform clapping and cheering;
7) and slowly cruise out to the center of the arena while the crowd does their part on cue;
I think they should be encouraged to follow their dreams. Granted, it's a pretty odd dream, but aren't those the basis of pretty much every reality show on television?
Recently though, I noticed a car ad that I feel should not put forth this message, no matter how small the text is. It features a large arena that appears to be some sort of 21st-Century Colosseum. A crowd of thousands pounds its hands in unison as some sort of motor carriage wheels out on the arena floor. Like Maximus Decimus Meridius on his way to another gladiatorial victory, the car moves slowly, as if it's absorbing the cheers of the crowd. (As best I can tell, the crowd does not refer to the car as "Spaniard.")
It is at this point that the "Do not attempt," message presents itself, like and unwanted magazine salesperson.
Honestly? This message is seen as necessary in this commercial?
Call me crazy, but if someone has the time, resources and motivation to:
1) secure a plot of land large enough for an arena that seats thousands;
2) design the arena;
3) acquire the materials necessary for arena construction;
4) construct the arena, following proper building ordinances;
5) hire thousands of people to sit in the arena;
6) have the crowd practice their uniform clapping and cheering;
7) and slowly cruise out to the center of the arena while the crowd does their part on cue;
I think they should be encouraged to follow their dreams. Granted, it's a pretty odd dream, but aren't those the basis of pretty much every reality show on television?
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