The blog article discusses the 12 worst ideas of 2017 so far. Some examples include looking directly at the eclipse without proper glasses, a TV show called Bromans, Nivea's slogan "White is Purity," questionable fashion trends, disrespecting the Wu-Tang Clan, and a failed cheese festival. The key lesson is to listen to experts, be mindful of cultural and political sensitivities, and not make promises that can't be kept.
At Ideanote we love good ideas. But we like the bad ones too – because behind every bad idea is a lesson. So now that we’re more than halfway through 2017, we felt like looking back at some of the truly bad ideas of 2017, and what we can learn from them. We have decided to make two separate posts dedicated to the bad ideas of 2017, as there has been quite a few.
With no further ado, let us jump into the first 6 very bad ideas.
In the lead-up to the August 21 solar eclipse, the phrase “Don’t look directly at the eclipse, you could seriously damage your eyes” was heard multiple times across social media. But not everyone chooses to heed this advice.
The lesson: Maybe listen to scientists, teachers and White House Aids once in a while.
“Modern geezers in the time of Caesar”
Whoever said TV producers and writers are running out of good ideas were probably thinking of ITV2’s Bromans. Bromans, whose title is a super clever combination of ‘bro’ and ‘romans’, will pit eight lads against each other in the Emperor’s Games to win £10,000.
The lesson: While puns are funny, maybe don’t base an entire tv-show premise on one.
In these politically charged times, marketers should really think about any image and slogan they choose to associate themselves with. But no matter the political and cultural landscape, the slogan “White is Purity” is never a good slogan. Nevertheless, this is what Nivea chose to market their deodorant.
This ad and tagline were picked up by alt-right social media accounts, with one account tweeting: “#Nivea: the official moisturizer/antiperspirant of the #AltRight.” You never want your hashtag in the same sentence as #AltRight.
The lesson: If your tagline sounds like something Edward Norton’s character in American History X would say, you probably shouldn’t use it.
Maybe we just don’t get 2017 teenage fashion. But are the following trends really a good idea?
Clear Knee Mom Jeans, Topshop – $95
Jeans With Fake Mud. Norstrom – $425
The lesson: Don’t make clothes that look like this… (Sure, fashion is a matter of taste, but c’mon)
Good idea interlude
If you’re already sick of bad ideas, go check out “3 Examples of Innovative Fashion Tech”
Good idea postlude
Pharmaceutical entrepreneur Martin Shkreli is best known for being the guy who acquired the manufacturing rights for the pharmaceutical drug Daraprim and then raised its price by more than 5,000%. But Martin Shkreli is also the guy who once won an auction to buy the only existing copy of a secret album by famed rap group Wu-Tang Clan – and then refused to share the music with the world. He even claimed that he might destroy the album.
These less-than-stellar ideas didn’t actually happen in 2017. But we are including them on this list because Shkreli didn’t truly face the consequences of the actions that made him ‘the most hated man in America’ until August this year. That’s when he stood trial for eight federal fraud charges, which in itself has to be an uncomfortable situation. Unfortunately for Shkreli, when you are the most hated man in America, chances are an American jury might not be on your side. The three-day jury selection prior to the trial turned into a roast-like situation, with jury member after jury member insulting him and in details describing why they hated him.
Juror No 1: “I’m aware of the defendant and I hate him.”
Shkreli’s lawyer: “I’m sorry?”
Juror No 1: “I think he’s a greedy little man.”
Juror No 52: “When I walked in here today, I looked at him, and in my head, that’s a snake – not knowing who he was.”
Juror No 144: “I heard he bought an album from the Wu-Tang Clan for a million dollars.”
The court: “The question is, have you heard anything that would affect your ability to decide this case with an open mind?”
Juror No 144: “I don’t think I can because he kind of looks like a dick.”
Juror No 59: “Your Honor, totally he is guilty and in no way can I let him slide out of anything.”
The court: “OK. Is that your attitude toward anyone charged with a crime who has not been proven guilty?”
Juror No 59: “It’s my attitude toward his entire demeanor, what he has done to people.”
The court: “All right. We are going to excuse you, sir.”
Juror No 59: “And he disrespected the Wu-Tang Clan.”
The lesson: Don’t disrespect the Wu-Tang Clan.
What most people attending Cheese Fest UK saw
For some strange reason, 2017 seems to be the year of failed festivals. This specific case involves cheese, or rather the lack of cheese. On the 12th of August, the traveling cheese festival Cheese Fest came to Brighton, UK, and left many visitors wanting more. Because they never got any cheese to begin with.
According to visitors, only one stall sold cheese and the purchasable food was overpriced. Cheese Fest responded to the growing dissent on social media by deleting negative comments and tweeting that “The demand for the cheese on offer wasn’t anticipated.”
Because who would expect a high demand for cheese at a sold-out cheese festival?
The lesson: Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Especially if you’re going to promise cheese and then not deliver.
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