Nigerian Government Demands Sony Apologize for PS3 Ad

[the1ultimate]

I would actually feel sorry for Nigeria trying to protect it's image, if the image they weren't portraying as a result wasn't one of a country who sticks up for spammers.
What was it someone once said? Oh yes:

A society in which anyone can make jokes about anyone else and everyone laughs is a truly tolerant society.

It would apply more if Sony was actually making a jab at Nigeria, but in actual fact, the jokes is about spammers who may even live somewhere else. Either way it's an over-reaction.

They're making a big deal over one line which isn't that funny, and doesn't actually make any sense if you think about it (because if you can believe everything you read on the internet, then it follows that everything you read on the internet is true, even the stuff about large sums of money). That's like calling in the high court to referee your game of bush cricket.

 

[KeyMaster45]

I wouldn't apologize if I were in charge of sony's ass-kissing department. So we made a crack at nigerian scam artist? What are you going to do about it? People get made fun of all the time so get in line you whining nutters and take a number, its going to be a long wait.

 

[Brett Alex]

Wait, those e-mails are really from Nigeria?

Thats exactly my reaction, I thought Nigeria was just a conveniently "foreign enough" country for any scammers to use.

It is commonly referred to as "The Nigerian Scam" whether its used in Nigeria or otherwise, after all.

 

[jboking]

It was nice to see a big company show some tongue and cheek humor.

I laughed. That's all I care about.

Man if only Union Carbide had cracked some jokes after poisoning that river, things would've gone over a lot smoother.

And no, I'm not comparing the two incidents, I'm just saying that focusing on comedy might not be the best worldview. Personally I'm not even sure Sony should apologize for this.

No it isn't the best worldview, but it is a great marketing plan. If you can get your audience to laugh at your commercial they are more likely to remember it after all. Also, I'm in agreement with you, I don't see why Sony should apologize for this one. They made a reference to the Nigerian Banking Scams that are spread over the internet. It's a joke at the scam, not a shot at Nigeria.

 

[Supernaut565]

Is it really that big of a deal I mean there has got to be more important things to worry about plus learn to take a joke Nigerian government.

 

[j0z]

I know how to stop the scammers from emailing you, and get you lots of cash in the proccess! Just need your name and bank account number!

OT- *slaps nigeria* get over it you -beep-

 

[Rigs83]

[HEADING=3]How about an Asian Ladies Finger.[/HEADING]

 

[TxMxRonin]

I just saw the new, new commercial and it's an obvious cut.

 

[PrimeSynergy]

Making a mountain out of molehill eh? I love it when people, especially the 'higher ups' get uptight over nothing. Well if they're going after Sony, might as well go ahead and move onto those 50billion comedians who've also made jokes about it...oh wait...they can't milk the press or get any money out of it.

 

[Sephiwind]

I just saw the new, new commercial and it's an obvious cut.

Yeah I just saw the new version of the ad. Sony totally pused out and changed it. God I hate this P.C. culture. You can't even make an advertisement with a joke in it and suddenly you have some jack ass ***** and moan about it being insulting and they just fold with out hesitation.

I wish I could complain about the P.C. culture being an insult to me and make it go away.

 

[samsonguy920]

Aw does Nigeria want a hug? Get over it.

 

[Booze Zombie]

Oh noes, the tiny country of Nigeria doesn't like a commercial.

That's it, Sony is going to go under.

Indeed, not like there's resources, millionaires, a government or over 50,000 metric tonnes worth of people there.

 

[theultimateend]

Oh noes, the tiny country of Nigeria doesn't like a commercial.

That's it, Sony is going to go under.

Yeah it's not like Nigeria is the 8th most populous country in the world or anything, or twice the size of California

Oh wait, it's both those things.

Anyway I'm not sure what to make of this. I mean yeah it was a dig but on the other hand...Nigerian Banking Scams

Also it's incredibly hard to get Sony to ever admit they fucked up. Hell when people called them on the bullshit that was "All I want for Christmas is a PSP" they said "You caught us. I guess our dialogue was too funky!"

If you are going to pick a state pick one that people might care about .

Although that was an informative lesson in Nigeria (weird to learn something on the escapist).

I wish the story had been about Kenya so I could have made a District 9 joke .

I suppose I'll run with "First District 9 in Kenya, now THIS!"

I just saw the new, new commercial and it's an obvious cut.

Yeah I just saw the new version of the ad. Sony totally pused out and changed it. God I hate this P.C. culture. You can't even make an advertisement with a joke in it and suddenly you have some jack ass ***** and moan about it being insulting and they just fold with out hesitation.

I wish I could complain about the P.C. culture being an insult to me and make it go away.

That's why I love comedy. It's nice to watch people being honest with themselves.

There is nothing wrong with getting bashed. I'm white, I get shit all the time for not being able to dance, or liking cornbread, or my fondness for crackers.

 

[Delta 3 Actual]

Oh noes, the tiny country of Nigeria doesn't like a commercial.

That's it, Sony is going to go under.

'Oh noes', the ignorant American doesn't care about other smaller countries that aren't bathing in gold and don't have Nuclear weapons. People like you are the reason that the world is in deep sh*t. [cliche rant]

 

[Mr. Tibbles]

I am a firm believer that people can ***** about anything. Get over it.

 

[JaredXE]

Oh noes, the tiny country of Nigeria doesn't like a commercial.

That's it, Sony is going to go under.

'Oh noes', the ignorant American doesn't care about other smaller countries that aren't bathing in gold and don't have Nuclear weapons. People like you are the reason that the world is in deep sh*t.

And speaking of ignorant....

So I don't care about Nigeria....that makes me ignorant? I like how everyone jumped all over me trying to defend Nigeria. According to all of you, they're big boys...they can take it.

And yeah...they aren't all that important. Certainly not important enough for Sony to care whether they object to that commercial. Guess what, those Nigerian email scams exist, and poking fun at them is NOT in any way poking at Nigeria. But no, the 8TH LARGEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD*snicker* is attempting to garner a little credit by taking Sony to task and perhaps trying to put relevance into their country.

And yeah, they don't have nuclear weapons......that's kinda a big indicator of importance in the international arena. Look at the UN Security Council, they all have nukes. Rest of the nations.....eh, not so much. Maybe a few here or there they picked up cheap from Russia or America.

 

[BehattedWanderer]

They get called on that? Wow, Nigeria, way to take America's multitude of frivolous upsets to heart. Way to grasp the completely wrong idea altogether.

And honestly, who hasn't gotten one of those damn emails?

 

[Brett Alex]

Wait, those e-mails are really from Nigeria?

Thats exactly my reaction, I thought Nigeria was just a conveniently "foreign enough" country for any scammers to use.

It is commonly referred to as "The Nigerian Scam" whether its used in Nigeria or otherwise, after all.

Nope. Called that because the scam originated in Nigeria, often they claim to be a prince or other person of power from Nigeria, and the world's largest population of people pulling this scam is of course *gasp* Nigeria!

Their indignation about being called crooks and scammers is akin to a prostitute being all offended at being called a whore.

True, but whether they claim to be from the Ukraine, Bosnia, Pakistan or wherever, that type of scam is known as a Nigerian Scam, which was my main point. The ad shouldn't be insulting because Sony were not insinuating anything about Nigerians, they were simply joking about the number of emails on the internet supposedly from Nigerian Princesses/Princes/Relatives of the President.

If they were insinuating all Nigerians are crooks and scammers, as you appear to be doing, then they would have every right to be offended, because its a statement that is patently untrue.