People complain about Man in the High Castle ads

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UncleCliffy'sDaddy said:
I don't want to add to a pissing match, but after watching the show, I'm kinda glad this topic came up. The show wasn't bad, but I I have admit that I was surprisingly uncomfortable with the use of Nazi AND Japanese symbols and uniforms. I realize it's fiction and the war ended 70 years ago, but the evil perpetrated by those two powers cost tens of millions of lives and scarred at least as many more. All these years later, it is still so visceral. Literally one of my first thoughts was to wonder how those actors could bring themselves to even put those costumes on. Yeah, it's a well paying job to them, and Hollywood has been cranking out WWII movies forever. But this time around, "Americans" were wearing those uniforms and acting as the Nazis did. Maybe that's what stuck in my craw. Because we actually have American citizens (admittedly a very small majority) who would love to see this country go that way. Whatever the reason, I didn't like the feeling and I'm certainly not going to apologize for it. I am a huge, well read WWII buff and it still discomfited me. And for what it's worth, I do NOT want to see Nazi symbolism displayed in public either. If it gives even one individual in a million the twisted idea that Nazism is acceptable, that's one too many.....
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I think that's the point though. It's SUPPOSED to give you a reaction. I have a hard time with the feasibility of a Nazi occupied America because I don't think it could have been done. I guess the story hinges on the Germans getting the bomb first, and then using it. Still, I think a large portion of the American population would die rather than be occupied by a foreign army.

With that said, the author is trying to give people a portal into what could have been. It's supposed to be thought provoking.
 
Natebishop3 said:
I think that's the point though. It's SUPPOSED to give you a reaction. I have a hard time with the feasibility of a Nazi occupied America because I don't think it could have been done. I guess the story hinges on the Germans getting the bomb first, and then using it. Still, I think a large portion of the American population would die rather than be occupied by a foreign army.

With that said, the author is trying to give people a portal into what could have been. It's supposed to be thought provoking.
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I haven't watched yet (downloading it on my plex now) but iirc the book was basically about us never entering the war because we're still pacifists (FDR was assassinated or something).
 
Natebishop3 said:
I think a large portion of the American population would die rather than be occupied by a foreign army.
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Today, I don't think so, some might even considerate it progressive. But In that day, I think you are spot on! And a much larger percentage of the population then actually knew how
to use arms.
 
So... Publicly advertising gratuitous snuff porn good, publicly advertising alternative history with realistic approximations of plot-appropriate iconography, not good.

Got it.
 
Philip K. Dick was a brilliant sci-fi author. The interesting thing is that I think this show is actually more provocative than the book was. It does have a significant amount of departures from the novel, and I applaud them for that.
 
People need to fucking relax and quit being offended so god damned easily. Holy shit ridiculous. Every thing in life can be found offensive by someone these days. Piss off with that garbage and quit being a cookie cutter person.

Nate, you got it right man. From the first to the last post.

Did anyone watch Band of Brothers? The Pacific? Someone mentioned Wolfenstein too, good point there.

Get the sand out of the vag America.
 
I think people act offended now because they know they will get a reaction. I don't care what the topic is, race, sex and in this case... imagery. It's like a baby crying in a crowded theater. In reality, people probably don't really care that much about the issue. But it's a good way to feel important in a society that puts you in a corner.
 
I think there are more Jews in NY than in Israel. It's not surprising that the ads were found to be in poor taste by people there.

I don't think it has anything to do with some PC type of reaction to un-PC material.

EDIT: Not true anymore, but there are 1/5th as many Jews in NY as in Israel. There have been more Jews in the USA than Israel until recently. There are
 
I just watched a movie called Max. It was about a military dog. It was more offensive than anything I've seen lately. Nobody cares because they didn't advertise it with anything like this. It was

1. Stupid
2. Racist


Luckily it hasn't been seen by many. I was going to write Don't Watch on it with a Sharpie before I put it back in the RedBox.

On topic, weak minded people are a dime a dozen these days. I think it is from medications in our water.
 
1) I don't think Amazon should HAVE to take the symbol down, that's against free speech.
2) They should take those symbols down on their own once they realize the still deep angst these images provoke.
3) I will watch the show when I get time.
4) I have no problem personally looking at any symbols when I want to watch or read on the subject, but It would personally affect my mood greatly to see them on the way to work every morning, having lost 60% of my relatives from those atrocities. I didn't know them, but I have heard long detailed accounts of many of them that both made it out, and died in camps.

So, Once again, I think Amazon should be permitted to display any symbol. However, I think they should have the good taste to realize it does not conger up the same emotions as a Burger King poster. Use of certain symbols should be reserved for use at appropriate times, like during their program about that topic, where people are fully aware and expecting their emotions to be manipulated. But not on a subway seat.

If I saw those ads, I would be irked, but I personally wouldn't have ever said anything. But yes, I would have my mood instantly changed.
 
The more I think about it, the more I think Amazon did this to create controversy. I think they knew people would complain. Like I said, I think the show is meant to be shocking. It generates buzz about the show. They put the ads up, people complain, they quickly take them down and they get their 15 minutes in the spotlight where people ask about the new show.
 
Further said:
1) I don't think Amazon should HAVE to take the symbol down, that's against free speech.
2) They should take those symbols down on their own once they realize the still deep angst these images provoke.
3) I will watch the show when I get time.
4) I have no problem personally looking at any symbols when I want to watch or read on the subject, but It would personally affect my mood greatly to see them on the way to work every morning, having lost 60% of my relatives from those atrocities. I didn't know them, but I have heard long detailed accounts of many of them that both made it out, and died in camps.

So, Once again, I think Amazon should be permitted to display any symbol. However, I think they should have the good taste to realize it does not conger up the same emotions as a Burger King poster. Use of certain symbols should be reserved for use at appropriate times, like during their program about that topic, where people are fully aware and expecting their emotions to be manipulated. But not on a subway seat.

If I saw those ads, I would be irked, but I personally wouldn't have ever said anything. But yes, I would have my mood instantly changed.
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Amazon pulled the ads. It said so in the first sentence of the first post.
 
Denny Crane said:
Amazon pulled the ads. It said so in the first sentence of the first post.
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I know, I never said they didn't, I was discussing the topic at hand, if people should be bothered and if Amazon should pull.
 
Further said:
I know, I never said they didn't, I was discussing the topic at hand, if people should be bothered and if Amazon should pull.
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Nobody seems to want to really answer this question, but if you were tasked with marketing this show, how would you convey the message of a Nazi occupied America without using any kind of German WWII imagery?
 
Further said:
I know, I never said they didn't, I was discussing the topic at hand, if people should be bothered and if Amazon should pull.
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Amazon should be responsive to the public's complaints. And they were.

The show is really good, the idea is good, and the book was good.

Billboards of symbols and image that scream "Nazis" to the public? Not so good.
 
Denny Crane said:
Amazon should be responsive to the public's complaints. And they were.

The show is really good, the idea is good, and the book was good.

Billboards of symbols and image that scream "Nazis" to the public? Not so good.
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So maybe they don't put an American flag across the benches with an Iron Cross and Eagle, but what images do you use for billboards and posters to convey the story? Germany in WWII is going to convey "Nazis" to the public. There are going to be upset people. I'm curious how many people actually complained, and I still think this was done to provoke a reaction and generate a news story.
 
Natebishop3 said:
Nobody seems to want to really answer this question, but if you were tasked with marketing this show, how would you convey the message of a Nazi occupied America without using any kind of German WWII imagery?
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I think it's fine to use that imagery on TV or in Theaters where people are expecting stuff like this. There is a difference between putting it on Amazon or some SV station and putting it wrapped on seats people take on their way to work in the morning. The line is admittedly blurry, but a line nonetheless.
 
Natebishop3 said:
So maybe they don't put an American flag across the benches with an Iron Cross and Eagle, but what images do you use for billboards and posters to convey the story? Germany in WWII is going to convey "Nazis" to the public. There are going to be upset people. I'm curious how many people actually complained, and I still think this was done to provoke a reaction and generate a news story.
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What If... Germany and Japan won WW II. A series by Amazon. Written by Phillip K Dick and produced by Ridley Scott.

96% Rotten Tomatoes. 77% Media Critic

MV5BMTUxODUxOTY5NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwMzIyMjk5MzE@._V1_SX214_AL_.jpg
 
Further said:
I think it's fine to use that imagery on TV or in Theaters where people are expecting stuff like this. There is a difference between putting it on Amazon or some SV station and putting it wrapped on seats people take on their way to work in the morning. The line is admittedly blurry, but a line nonetheless.
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Billboards and posters are a big part of advertising for movies and TV. Maybe not in Portland, but if you drive around LA or NY you will see it a lot more. They're not going to completely ignore a huge part of advertising because the subject matter could be offensive.

This isn't the first TV show to use imagery that's meant to provoke a reaction to generate buzz. The upside down American flag conveys a powerful message.

"The Flag Code states it should only be displayed upside down when there is extreme danger to life or property."
http://www.usaflagsupply.com/upside-down-flag/

house-of-cards-season-1-poster.jpg
 
Nate, there are always words, images that can be used, some cross the line, some go up to it, some smash it to pieces and some don't go far enough to inform. THat's exactly why marketers get paid.

Imagine if Amazon did go further and put Swastikas and cement showers with corpses of emaciated Jews on those posters. My guess is you too would say that went too far. There isn't some litmus test as to what's offensive or disturbing. It's subjective and in many cases has to do with ones life experiences. We can't sanitize for all offenses, but we can try to understand what large numbers are concerned with and at least try and keep their concerns in mind when we make our decisions. It doesn't mean acquiesce all the time, but at least try and determine what's common curtsy and adjust accordingly.
 
The nazi imagery on trains is even more dubious.
 
Further said:
Nate, there are always words, images that can be used, some cross the line, some go up to it, some smash it to pieces and some don't go far enough to inform. THat's exactly why marketers get paid.

Imagine if Amazon did go further and put Swastikas and cement showers with corpses of emaciated Jews on those posters. My guess is you too would say that went too far. There isn't some litmus test as to what's offensive or disturbing. It's subjective and in many cases has to do with ones life experiences. We can't sanitize for all offenses, but we can try to understand what large numbers are concerned with and at least try and keep their concerns in mind when we make our decisions. It doesn't mean acquiesce all the time, but at least try and determine what's common curtsy and adjust accordingly.
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See, I don't think it's so much the images. I think it was the ridiculous extent that they went to cover the entire car in advertising. I think if it was JUST a couple posters, people would have tuned it out or let it go, but they covered every bench in flags and images. I think they overwhelmed people with imagery and that was their mistake. The benches were too much. The posters would have probably been fine.

With that said, I think they did it intentionally. I think they meant to piss people off.
 
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