[Not-so-good Idea]

Every now and then, I come across some pretty strange ads on the Internet. Some just raise my eyebrows (e.g. Wanted: Condom Testers) while others make me seethe (see my article on Burger King's "blow your mind" ad campaign in Singapore, here -> http://bit.ly/5aocES ). This one in Amazon.com, however, simply gave me a migraine -- a "Laptop Steering Wheel Desk."

I've seen some pretty idiotic inventions in my time, but this one takes the cake. The Laptop Steering Wheel Desk apparently fits into most car steering wheel configurations -- and lets you use your laptop comfortably in the cramped space of the driver's seat.

I know the darned thing was meant to be used while the car's on park, but for goodness sake -- Einstein himself said that the only thing more infinite than the universe is human stupidity. So undoubtedly some poor sod's going to get hurt with this thing. It felt wrong if I didn't try to stop this thing from hitting the streets -- or worse.

Of course, I didn't have to. It's a good thing to know that there are some really smart comedians scouring Amazon for idiotic inventions like this one, and leave some of the funniest comments I've ever read in my life.


Here are samples of the wittier comments I came across:

#1 - "I only got two accidents since I bought my own laptop steering wheel desk, but I finally managed to clear my inbox."

#2 - "Driving a school bus, I never have enough time to check my e-mail and Facebook page. Now I can network anytime I want!"

#3 - "Now I can supervise my daughter's driving over Skype, right in the comforts of my living room."

Hilarious. Apparently this is how things go down in Amazon -- commenters "flag" dangerous (or plain idiotic) posts by flooding them with outrageous comments. Eventually Amazon's going to notice and take the ad down.

If you ask me, this is a much more enjoyable way to pick on poor idiots without having to troll or flame. I honestly hope this trend picks up.

I love weekends, since it's the only window of opportunity I get to relax, re-energize, and take in some guiltless good food. But something I saw today just ruined my weekend before it even started.

Is it just me, but is Burger King's latest ad about their Super Seven-Incher Sandwich just plain tasteless? On it, it shows the profile of a woman about to take in Burger King's new submarine sandwich. The setup would've been okay, except for three things:

#1 - The woman in the poster has fake blond hair, black eyeliner, and a lipsticked mouth wide open. The woman has a wide-eyed, expressionless look -- and her open mouth doesn't show any teeth. You'd expect your ad to be tasteless when you make your model look like an inflatable love doll.

#2 - The submarine sandwich, lined up with her open mouth, completes the sexually suggestive look.

#3 - To top things off, the caption read: "It'll BLOW your mind away."

Granted, BK's new sandwich does look pretty good, and it would've been something I'd be willing to try -- but the ad ruined everything. Seriously. I mean, after people see this ad, will they ever think of a submarine sandwich the same way again?

If the geniuses who came up with this ad thought people would find it funny, sure -- I just doubt it'll be popular with their straight male audience. Or if they thought that most people wouldn't get it anyway, well it just shows most people are smarter than they are.

Seriously, dudes, you're in the wrong industry. Quit your jobs. Change your names. Don't have kids.

To the rest of you -- if you want to see what I'm talking about,  click here.



Update:  June 25, 2009, 11:38 PM +0800 GMT
The Ad is on the website of Bon-Food Pte Ltd.
Want to know who they are? Read on.

Found on the company's website (- Link -):
About Bon-Food
Bon-Food Pte Ltd has been the authorised franchisee of BURGER KING® in Singapore since 1982. Since that time, we have served our flagship sandwich, the flame-grilled WHOPPER®, to millions of customers. Currently, all our BURGER KING® outlets are strategically located around the island. Plans are also in place for a number of new outlets that will continue to make BURGER KING® not only synonymous with great tasting flame-grilled burgers, quality and value, but also accessibility.



Update:  June 27, 2009, 10:21 PM +0800 GMT
I'm adding this image here, just in case the link above is removed. I strongly believe this ad should be made available for all to see and ponder over.