TMX Elmo, Playstation III, and Wii
(warning.....slight rant here!)
I have been watching the progress of TMX Elmo (the "it toy" amongst toddlers), Playstation III (the it toy amongst gaming geeks) and Nintendo Wii (the "it toy" because it is the "it toy") in the media, on ebay and on the net. Not because my teenager or my toddler is getting any of these toys for Christmas, but because I am interested in the Pop culture of these types of toys.
How about a few "realizations" from my study of these three toys:
Fisher-Price, Sony and Nintendo? Punished to the fullest extent of the law? Without question. Creating artificial demand, by deliberately keeping supply low in an effort to create a lasting buzz, walks dangerously close to, if not completely OVER, the "inciting a riot" line.... If I deliberately plan a situation that causes a crime to be committed, I am just as guilty as the perpetrator of the crime in a court of law. Sony, Fisher-Price and Nintendo, through their "marketing genius" and "manufacturing issues, have created such a situation, and therefore, bear a large level of responsibility for any crimes committed in the act of obtaining a toy that was deliberately under-manufactured.
Now Fisher-Price, Sony and Nintendo would tell you that "demand exceeded supply", and that "manufacturing difficulties" caused the short supply. Really. Not hardly. Sony committed to ship 400K units...and shipped less than half of that. Further, demand has always exceeded supply whenever Sony or Nintendo bring out a new game system. Coincidence? Nope. Buzz generation. And Fisher-Price? They refuse to answer any media questions regarding whether or not they were generating buzz by keeping supply low. They only will say that it will be available after 2/15 on their website. Interesting. It almost seems like they are taking advantage of a "Corporate 5th Amendment".
And that is crap. Until we, as consumers, hold a corporate entity's feet to the fire regarding the direct manipulation of the marketplace (and in this case, hold the marketing/manufacturing folks criminally responsible for any adverse actions based on the buzz generation that they create), the it toy is always going to generate violence...oh..and my kids will never get it until it is better supplied....like in six months (if even then).
I have been watching the progress of TMX Elmo (the "it toy" amongst toddlers), Playstation III (the it toy amongst gaming geeks) and Nintendo Wii (the "it toy" because it is the "it toy") in the media, on ebay and on the net. Not because my teenager or my toddler is getting any of these toys for Christmas, but because I am interested in the Pop culture of these types of toys.
How about a few "realizations" from my study of these three toys:
- I realize that Fisher-Price, Sony and Nintendo are making a lot of money on these toys.
- I realize that a lot of enterprising entrepreneurs are making a lot of money via ebay, etc.
Inherent in the american psyche is the need for my child to have the it toy for the holiday, no matter the cost. Ebay flourishes this time of year with folks selling the "it toy". - I realize that a lot of parents and grandparents are losing a lot of sleep (and money!) over these toys.
And finally
- I realize that a lot of violence has been perpetrated based on the "need" for these toys.
Fisher-Price, Sony and Nintendo? Punished to the fullest extent of the law? Without question. Creating artificial demand, by deliberately keeping supply low in an effort to create a lasting buzz, walks dangerously close to, if not completely OVER, the "inciting a riot" line.... If I deliberately plan a situation that causes a crime to be committed, I am just as guilty as the perpetrator of the crime in a court of law. Sony, Fisher-Price and Nintendo, through their "marketing genius" and "manufacturing issues, have created such a situation, and therefore, bear a large level of responsibility for any crimes committed in the act of obtaining a toy that was deliberately under-manufactured.
Now Fisher-Price, Sony and Nintendo would tell you that "demand exceeded supply", and that "manufacturing difficulties" caused the short supply. Really. Not hardly. Sony committed to ship 400K units...and shipped less than half of that. Further, demand has always exceeded supply whenever Sony or Nintendo bring out a new game system. Coincidence? Nope. Buzz generation. And Fisher-Price? They refuse to answer any media questions regarding whether or not they were generating buzz by keeping supply low. They only will say that it will be available after 2/15 on their website. Interesting. It almost seems like they are taking advantage of a "Corporate 5th Amendment".
And that is crap. Until we, as consumers, hold a corporate entity's feet to the fire regarding the direct manipulation of the marketplace (and in this case, hold the marketing/manufacturing folks criminally responsible for any adverse actions based on the buzz generation that they create), the it toy is always going to generate violence...oh..and my kids will never get it until it is better supplied....like in six months (if even then).
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