I sat down a couple of nights ago and watched a Channel 4 program called “100 Greatest Toys”. The “100 Greatest...” is a format that Channel Four regularly returns to and they usually provide a mostly inoffensive two hour trip down memory lane. It’s pretty much a TV show based on the kind of conversation you might have with friends of a similar age after a few drinks, as you forget about the stresses of adult life and wrap yourself up in a comforting blanket of reminiscence as you recall your childhood.
Unfortunately the main problem with these shows – aside from the fact that they often feature a plethora of C-list celebrities who are just glad to still be on television – is that these shows are built on the foundation of an internet poll. Anyone who has ever used the internet knows that the internet consists of about 5% normal decent people, 85% pornographic material and 10% assholes (non-pornographic). Any organisation who uses the internet as a means of gauging public opinion is asking for trouble and “100 Greatest Toys” was no different.
Unfortunately the main problem with these shows – aside from the fact that they often feature a plethora of C-list celebrities who are just glad to still be on television – is that these shows are built on the foundation of an internet poll. Anyone who has ever used the internet knows that the internet consists of about 5% normal decent people, 85% pornographic material and 10% assholes (non-pornographic). Any organisation who uses the internet as a means of gauging public opinion is asking for trouble and “100 Greatest Toys” was no different.
If the internet had its way, Lady Gaga would be president or some shit.
Unfortunately what should have been a nice bit of TV fluff was tainted – and the show even fleetingly acknowledged the fact itself – because the internet fanboys and their poll rigging ways were out in force again as DUNGEONS AND FUCKING DRAGONS came in at number three on the all-time great toy list. That’s a higher placing than Barbie. Higher than Action Man. Higher than Xbox, Teddy Bears, Rubik’s Cube, Plasticine, Star Wars and Transformers.
Sure there are plenty of people out there who probably genuinely think Dungeons and Dragons is the shit and while they’re wrong, they’re entirely entitled to their opinion so long as they keep it to themselves and never utter it within earshot of any normals.
Sure there are plenty of people out there who probably genuinely think Dungeons and Dragons is the shit and while they’re wrong, they’re entirely entitled to their opinion so long as they keep it to themselves and never utter it within earshot of any normals.
“Hey let’s start a campaign to make the shit we like come top of this insignificant poll! That’ll blow peoples fucking minds.”
No, it won’t blow anyone’s fucking mind; it’ll just enforce the stereotype that you’ve got way too much time on your hands. Like some sad fucker who has a blog and...oh.
