Check out a close-up of the letter after the jump.
[Via DS Fanboy]
Check out a close-up of the letter after the jump.
[Via DS Fanboy]
Reader Comments (55)
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 4:52PM (Unverified) said
How is this unethical? Name one company that doesn't give free stuff to famous people for publicity. You guys are ridiculous.
Reply
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 5:00PM (Unverified) said
What makes it unethical? When the original XBox launched, Microsoft came to our campus and gave away some consoles to drum up some publicity. Is that unethical? Why shouldn't I be able to give some away if it is good for my bottom line?
Reply
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 5:02PM hvnlysoldr said
Top 10 stupid things to say on an airplane.
10. There's something wrong with the phalange.
9. Bob-bomb
8. I'm using a wireless device without my belt on.
7. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
6. I got a gun!
5. We're all going to die.
4. There's something on the wing!
3. Fire (during the movie)
2. My lover needs to reunite with me so stop the plane.
1. BLLLLLLLLLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUE!
Reply
10. There's something wrong with the phalange.
9. Bob-bomb
8. I'm using a wireless device without my belt on.
7. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
6. I got a gun!
5. We're all going to die.
4. There's something on the wing!
3. Fire (during the movie)
2. My lover needs to reunite with me so stop the plane.
1. BLLLLLLLLLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUE!
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 5:06PM (Unverified) said
@gir: Please explain why this practice is unethical. Don't just say it's unethical without citing examples, or how you arrived at that determination.
Reply
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 5:11PM (Unverified) said
@gir
That is just stupid. How many companies/individuals do things, not because they really care, but because of some other reason? Sometimes, I really don't care about the projects I have at work but I still go and do it because I want to get paid. Is that unethical? I work on Habitat homes because I'm doing something good but also because it looks good to my employer, increasing my chances of getting promoted. Is that unethical? I'm sure you've never had an ulterior motive in your life huh?
Reply
That is just stupid. How many companies/individuals do things, not because they really care, but because of some other reason? Sometimes, I really don't care about the projects I have at work but I still go and do it because I want to get paid. Is that unethical? I work on Habitat homes because I'm doing something good but also because it looks good to my employer, increasing my chances of getting promoted. Is that unethical? I'm sure you've never had an ulterior motive in your life huh?
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 5:11PM CowboyUGA said
gir,
It's not bribing, it's hoping for publicity. For Letterman/Bush, these gifts are diminimus. A DS wouldn't bribe them if it was taped to a roll of twenties. They're hoping that Letterman will mention it as a joke on TV, or that Joystiq will post a thread about it.
Sorry, kid, but you're off your rocker.
Reply
It's not bribing, it's hoping for publicity. For Letterman/Bush, these gifts are diminimus. A DS wouldn't bribe them if it was taped to a roll of twenties. They're hoping that Letterman will mention it as a joke on TV, or that Joystiq will post a thread about it.
Sorry, kid, but you're off your rocker.
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 5:15PM nodnetni said
Adj. 1.unethical - not conforming to approved standards of social or professional behavior. - www.thefreedictionary.com
I see nothing here that would not be a proved of, they are giving something away, how is that bad? He may be rich, and can afford them, but I'm sure he will appreciate the gift. They are thinking maybe he will like it and tell other's, nothing unethical about that.
I can afford a piece of a smoked ham, but they give those way at the grocery store all the time, I may not buy some then, but maybe i will influence someone else to purchase some later because I enjoyed it.
For it to be unethical, they would be sending it those deprived kids written about above, and say the only way they get to keep it is if they work 100 hours in a Nintendo Shop.
Reply
I see nothing here that would not be a proved of, they are giving something away, how is that bad? He may be rich, and can afford them, but I'm sure he will appreciate the gift. They are thinking maybe he will like it and tell other's, nothing unethical about that.
I can afford a piece of a smoked ham, but they give those way at the grocery store all the time, I may not buy some then, but maybe i will influence someone else to purchase some later because I enjoyed it.
For it to be unethical, they would be sending it those deprived kids written about above, and say the only way they get to keep it is if they work 100 hours in a Nintendo Shop.
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 5:17PM Gir said
@mepaco
Right. But whats better, psp or ds? Now since letterman got a ds, he's gonna say good things about the ds, but he's never tried the psp. Now is that fair? It would have been ethical if nintendo sent him a psp and a ds and let him decide which one is best.
Reply
Right. But whats better, psp or ds? Now since letterman got a ds, he's gonna say good things about the ds, but he's never tried the psp. Now is that fair? It would have been ethical if nintendo sent him a psp and a ds and let him decide which one is best.
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 5:23PM (Unverified) said
@22
No, that would just be stupid. When did Letterman ever claim that the DS was superior and how would that be Nintendo's fault? There isn't anyone stopping Sony from sending him a free PSP. Your argument fails ... and hard.
Reply
No, that would just be stupid. When did Letterman ever claim that the DS was superior and how would that be Nintendo's fault? There isn't anyone stopping Sony from sending him a free PSP. Your argument fails ... and hard.
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 5:28PM Gir said
lol
This argument is funny. But didn't you say that letterman might put the ds in his act and say something funny about it. So by giving letterman a ds, this means that nintendo kind of paid him, and as a reward for nintendo sending him a ds (paying him), he gets to mention the ds in his act.
please don't hurt me :p
Reply
This argument is funny. But didn't you say that letterman might put the ds in his act and say something funny about it. So by giving letterman a ds, this means that nintendo kind of paid him, and as a reward for nintendo sending him a ds (paying him), he gets to mention the ds in his act.
please don't hurt me :p
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 5:41PM RogueJedi86 said
Today's my 21st birthday, where's my DS?
Oh and people need to relax. It's unethical to give people birthday presents? Is there ANYTHING people won't complain about? Now it's a war on having birthdays?
Reply
Oh and people need to relax. It's unethical to give people birthday presents? Is there ANYTHING people won't complain about? Now it's a war on having birthdays?
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 5:44PM Gir said
@RogueJedi86
That's different. Usually people who love ou gives you things. Such as your parents. Are you suggesting that it is unethical for your parents to raise you and pay for your food and living?
nintendo doesn't really love letterman. Theyre doing it to get something in return.
Reply
That's different. Usually people who love ou gives you things. Such as your parents. Are you suggesting that it is unethical for your parents to raise you and pay for your food and living?
nintendo doesn't really love letterman. Theyre doing it to get something in return.
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 5:49PM (Unverified) said
"Theyre doing it to get something in return."
what difference does that make?
Reply
what difference does that make?
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 5:56PM (Unverified) said
Getting publicity isn't unethical and it isn't a conflict of interest. A conflict of interest is when someone in a position of trust is in a situation where they have a direct or indirect vested interest in the application of that trust.
For instance, a judge who has shares in a company shouldn't be allowed to preside over a case where that company is the plaintiff or defendant.
Giving things away, even to famous people, is not a conflict of interest. It's a pretty common way to get publicity. If Letterman says "hey, I got a DS for my birthday, it's pretty hella cool," then great -- but he's under no obligation to do so. Nintendo isn't getting anything from Letterman at all. Indeed, the reason that the letter is public is because they're trumpeting it themselves.
Ultimately, the ethics of it are all above-board. You might not like it, as a tactic, but not liking something doesn't immediately make it a conflict of interest or unethical.
Reply
For instance, a judge who has shares in a company shouldn't be allowed to preside over a case where that company is the plaintiff or defendant.
Giving things away, even to famous people, is not a conflict of interest. It's a pretty common way to get publicity. If Letterman says "hey, I got a DS for my birthday, it's pretty hella cool," then great -- but he's under no obligation to do so. Nintendo isn't getting anything from Letterman at all. Indeed, the reason that the letter is public is because they're trumpeting it themselves.
Ultimately, the ethics of it are all above-board. You might not like it, as a tactic, but not liking something doesn't immediately make it a conflict of interest or unethical.
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 5:59PM (Unverified) said
Oops minor mistake:
A conflict of interest is when someone in a position of trust is in a situation where they have a direct or indirect vested interest in the application of that trust in situation that requires objectivity.
Reply
A conflict of interest is when someone in a position of trust is in a situation where they have a direct or indirect vested interest in the application of that trust in situation that requires objectivity.
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 6:00PM Android8675 said
@#4
http://www.penny-arcade.com/2007/03/21 - Gabe's post, third one down.
Now stop being so bitter that you didn't get one.
Reply
http://www.penny-arcade.com/2007/03/21 - Gabe's post, third one down.
Now stop being so bitter that you didn't get one.
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 6:00PM (Unverified) said
you go gir. dont "stand by it" lol.....welcome to america everyone!!
Reply
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 6:16PM (Unverified) said
I prefer companies using this tactic for publicity rather than making fake viral websites. Trying to trick people is unethical, this is not.
Reply
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 7:03PM (Unverified) said
A DS is good. A free DS is better. A letter from DS that insults your intelligence and your mom's intelligence is the best.
Reply
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 7:20PM (Unverified) said
Nintendo actually does give stuff away all the time to charities. I think i just read somewhere they donated 100 Wii's to the YMCA's. Now is it unethical to give one to a celebrity or is it more unethical to be an opportunist preying on the poor and needy? NINTEDO = EL DIABLO
Reply
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 7:26PM (Unverified) said
@hvnlysoldr (#12):
You win with answer number one.
Reply
You win with answer number one.
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 7:47PM (Unverified) said
47- Fight the power!
Everyone else (who is taking it seriously, such as Grant. Actually, only Grant)- What did gir do to you. We're having an actually clever argument about the English language and business practices and the ethics thereof. Relax.
Sign,
The Most Honorable Commodore Johnathan S. Bloom, herein known as Johnny Bloom.
Reply
Everyone else (who is taking it seriously, such as Grant. Actually, only Grant)- What did gir do to you. We're having an actually clever argument about the English language and business practices and the ethics thereof. Relax.
Sign,
The Most Honorable Commodore Johnathan S. Bloom, herein known as Johnny Bloom.
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 7:47PM hotpuck6 said
Dear gir,
That was officially your fourteenth(14) post in this thread.
Not a single one having any real substance or evidence to back up your claims. A publicity stunt is in no way unethical unless it has negative by-products, such as they had to murder a bunch of baby seals to make a special case for Mr. Letterman.
also, you keep talking random non-sense.
Celebrities are people too, and they do occasionally have birthdays. People who can't easily pick this out as publicity deserve what they get from such.
Good luck leading the revolution, but i'm sure i speak for everyone when i say the following:
Say something of decent quality, or shut up.
Reply
That was officially your fourteenth(14) post in this thread.
Not a single one having any real substance or evidence to back up your claims. A publicity stunt is in no way unethical unless it has negative by-products, such as they had to murder a bunch of baby seals to make a special case for Mr. Letterman.
also, you keep talking random non-sense.
Celebrities are people too, and they do occasionally have birthdays. People who can't easily pick this out as publicity deserve what they get from such.
Good luck leading the revolution, but i'm sure i speak for everyone when i say the following:
Say something of decent quality, or shut up.
Posted: Apr 12th 2007 8:01PM (Unverified) said
yowza!
well, now i know what words to say to spark up some arguments.
not that i'd want to.
(or would i...)
Reply
well, now i know what words to say to spark up some arguments.
not that i'd want to.
(or would i...)
Sorry, you must be logged in to leave a comment.
Featured Stories
The most popular posts
in the last 7 days
- Vita 'UMD Passport' won't be offered in US 220 comments
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning review: A tempting fate 153 comments
- David Jaffe leaves Eat Sleep Play, layoffs hit developer [Update] 108 comments
- Don't call it a remake: Final Fantasy X is a 'remaster,' to be clear 95 comments
- Battleship movie adapted into FPS by Double Helix 93 comments
