Comments on: Not Every Pitt Student http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/04/05/not-every-pitt-student/ by Hemant Mehta Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:33:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: «bønez_brigade» http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/04/05/not-every-pitt-student/#comment-299314 «bønez_brigade» Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:38:03 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=10073#comment-299314 @Matt, I take it that was directed at me, so... My feelings aren't hurt the slightest bit by CCC's marketing tactics, so don't assume they are. I actually think of the whole scheme as being rather humorous, seeing a group of pious Xians too ashamed to just say up front what it is that they love so much. Your false analogy appears to be the only thing grasping for straws, though. Google was launched as a <em>search engine</em>, with the purpose of returning info on the particular subject matter about which people are inquiring. It isn't trying to give me something I don't expect (though that can occur on occasion) -- it attempts to return info related to the exact word/phrase in which it is fed. So, <b>no</b>, Google is not being deceptive in any way. [However, calling it bestdamnedsearchengineontheplanet is a matter of debate.] @Matt,
I take it that was directed at me, so…

My feelings aren’t hurt the slightest bit by CCC’s marketing tactics, so don’t assume they are. I actually think of the whole scheme as being rather humorous, seeing a group of pious Xians too ashamed to just say up front what it is that they love so much.

Your false analogy appears to be the only thing grasping for straws, though. Google was launched as a search engine, with the purpose of returning info on the particular subject matter about which people are inquiring. It isn’t trying to give me something I don’t expect (though that can occur on occasion) — it attempts to return info related to the exact word/phrase in which it is fed. So, no, Google is not being deceptive in any way. [However, calling it bestdamnedsearchengineontheplanet is a matter of debate.]

]]> By: Matt http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/04/05/not-every-pitt-student/#comment-298368 Matt Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:57:33 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=10073#comment-298368 Oh for crying out loud. According to you, Google.com is deceptive. It should be BestDamnSearchEngineOnThePlanet.com to avoid hurting people's feelings. Get over your obvious bias and quit grasping for straws. Oh for crying out loud.

According to you, Google.com is deceptive. It should be BestDamnSearchEngineOnThePlanet.com to avoid hurting people’s feelings.

Get over your obvious bias and quit grasping for straws.

]]> By: Frozen Summers http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/04/05/not-every-pitt-student/#comment-298281 Frozen Summers Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:03:35 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=10073#comment-298281 Well.... I worked with Crusade from 2004-2006, and yeah, that is exactly what they're doing. Using subtle messages, burying the lead, trying to not be direct. Campaigns like "I agree with", "everystudent", "something for nothing" are all about arousing general curiosity to suck people in so that a conversation can be started. The old stuff doesn't work anymore because people mostly treat obvious preaching like they do telemarketing. This stuff doesn't work that much better, but at least a "seed" can be planted. At which point the Holy Spirit is supposed to work on their heart and all that bollocks. At the end of the day it is still just the same 4 spiritual laws tracts. Well…. I worked with Crusade from 2004-2006, and yeah, that is exactly what they’re doing. Using subtle messages, burying the lead, trying to not be direct.

Campaigns like “I agree with”, “everystudent”, “something for nothing” are all about arousing general curiosity to suck people in so that a conversation can be started. The old stuff doesn’t work anymore because people mostly treat obvious preaching like they do telemarketing. This stuff doesn’t work that much better, but at least a “seed” can be planted. At which point the Holy Spirit is supposed to work on their heart and all that bollocks.

At the end of the day it is still just the same 4 spiritual laws tracts.

]]> By: «bønez_brigade» http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/04/05/not-every-pitt-student/#comment-294469 «bønez_brigade» Tue, 07 Apr 2009 05:53:24 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=10073#comment-294469 Also, FWIW, notice that the atheist bus ads (et al) of late have been rather up front about their message. e.g., <em>"Don't believe in god? You're not alone."</em> or <em>"There's probably no god. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."</em> or <em>"Why believe in god? Just be good for goodness' sake."</em> etc... Also, FWIW, notice that the atheist bus ads (et al) of late have been rather up front about their message.

e.g.,
“Don’t believe in god? You’re not alone.”
or
“There’s probably no god. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”
or
“Why believe in god? Just be good for goodness’ sake.”
etc…

]]> By: «bønez_brigade» http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/04/05/not-every-pitt-student/#comment-294462 «bønez_brigade» Tue, 07 Apr 2009 05:42:44 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=10073#comment-294462 @marylin, If we're talking less, WeBelieveInGod.com is surely open, to the point, and memorable (though maybe not available). As is GodBelievers.com, which even has the same number of characters as everystudent.com. My point is that those are unambiguous and cut to the chase -- that being, you guys believe in God and are looking for others who want to do the same. No confusion; no tricks involved. Anywho, in the same vein of "less is more", GodIsImaginary.com works just fine for me. BTW, you left off my «stripes». ;] @marylin,
If we’re talking less, WeBelieveInGod.com is surely open, to the point, and memorable (though maybe not available). As is GodBelievers.com, which even has the same number of characters as everystudent.com. My point is that those are unambiguous and cut to the chase — that being, you guys believe in God and are looking for others who want to do the same. No confusion; no tricks involved.

Anywho, in the same vein of “less is more”, GodIsImaginary.com works just fine for me.

BTW, you left off my «stripes». ;]

]]> By: marilyn http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/04/05/not-every-pitt-student/#comment-294277 marilyn Mon, 06 Apr 2009 23:07:55 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=10073#comment-294277 @bønez_brigade, I'm impressed that you could type those URLs without typos - I don't think I could! ha ha ha My advertising background makes me a proponent of "less is more." How about, WhatIfGodIsTheMostIntellectuallyCompellingAndFulfillingRelationshipAPersonCouldHave.com @bønez_brigade,

I’m impressed that you could type those URLs without typos – I don’t think I could! ha ha ha My advertising background makes me a proponent of “less is more.”

How about, WhatIfGodIsTheMostIntellectuallyCompellingAndFulfillingRelationshipAPersonCouldHave.com

]]> By: «bønez_brigade» http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/04/05/not-every-pitt-student/#comment-294254 «bønez_brigade» Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:57:09 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=10073#comment-294254 @marylin, It's deceptive just like any other marketing campaign that's meant to lure people in with something appearing completely unrelated. I'm not a fan of any marketing tactic designed around ambiguity, religious or not. If you are truly proud of your god/service/product, then don't be ashamed to put it right there in the URL. Here are two clearer examples for your case: EveryStudentThatWantsToServeGod.com or EveryStudentThatIsInterestedInHearingMoreAboutGod.com @marylin,
It’s deceptive just like any other marketing campaign that’s meant to lure people in with something appearing completely unrelated. I’m not a fan of any marketing tactic designed around ambiguity, religious or not. If you are truly proud of your god/service/product, then don’t be ashamed to put it right there in the URL.

Here are two clearer examples for your case:
EveryStudentThatWantsToServeGod.com
or
EveryStudentThatIsInterestedInHearingMoreAboutGod.com

]]> By: Siamang http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/04/05/not-every-pitt-student/#comment-294176 Siamang Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:23:41 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=10073#comment-294176 I don't have a problem with the campaign, and I'm an atheist. You've got to get people to start having the conversation. Marketing and building curiosity are legitimate ways to start a conversation. Though I get what Ruby's saying, from her point of view it reflects negatively on the message. As someone who doesn't hold to Christianity, I don't have that perspective. I don’t have a problem with the campaign, and I’m an atheist. You’ve got to get people to start having the conversation. Marketing and building curiosity are legitimate ways to start a conversation.

Though I get what Ruby’s saying, from her point of view it reflects negatively on the message.

As someone who doesn’t hold to Christianity, I don’t have that perspective.

]]> By: Reginald Selkirk http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/04/05/not-every-pitt-student/#comment-294169 Reginald Selkirk Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:13:49 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=10073#comment-294169 <i>Am I the only one who thinks that “marketing ingenuity” is a polite euphemism for “outright lies”?</i> Mo, you're not. But I prefer to phrase it as "bearing false witness." Am I the only one who thinks that “marketing ingenuity” is a polite euphemism for “outright lies”?

Mo, you’re not. But I prefer to phrase it as “bearing false witness.”

]]> By: marilyn http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/04/05/not-every-pitt-student/#comment-294116 marilyn Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:42:54 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=10073#comment-294116 BTW - everystudent.com is meant to serve students who have questions about life or questions about God, giving reasons to believe in God. As director of the site, I was once an atheist, and from that, I continue to deeply respect people's perspectives, questions and thoughts. I believe, especially in our culture, everyone is wanting to be genuine. All people are simply trying to give it their best shot. So I tend to trust people's motives. On everystudent.com we try to give reasons to believe in God, and find out how to know him. Our welcome statement right at the top of the home pg says, "Welcome to EveryStudent.com -- a safe place to explore issues about college, life, and what it might be like to know God." BTW – everystudent.com is meant to serve students who have questions about life or questions about God, giving reasons to believe in God.

As director of the site, I was once an atheist, and from that, I continue to deeply respect people’s perspectives, questions and thoughts.

I believe, especially in our culture, everyone is wanting to be genuine. All people are simply trying to give it their best shot. So I tend to trust people’s motives.

On everystudent.com we try to give reasons to believe in God, and find out how to know him. Our welcome statement right at the top of the home pg says, “Welcome to EveryStudent.com — a safe place to explore issues about college, life, and what it might be like to know God.”

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