Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Save a friendship - pick a different gift

Apparently I'm not up on "what's cool" anymore, because this animatronics monkey is not only unappealing as a Christmas gift, it actually concerns me. Concerns me that <1> someone that calls themself a friend would buy this <2> someone who is the friend would want this. It's available through Sharper Image for a mere $149. The marketing copy actually says, ' "Alive" Chimpanzee can see, hear and feel in ways that allow him to interact intelligently with you, your family, your guests...and with baffled strangers.' Let's break that down: "see, hear and feel in ways..." stop there. It's a piece of metal wrapped in highly-flammable fur that you plug into your wall. I don't think there's a whole lot of personality there. Next, "allow him to interact intelligently with you..."If my children are interacting intelligently with this, they either need a special school or special medication. Finally, "and with baffled strangers." This I can understand. Enough said.
Certainly, the fact that his eyes look hauntingly real, his teeth look like he's been smoking for years, and "his skin reacts to contact with touch sensors all around" this is an automated nightmare waiting to happen. Someone should be fired.

6 comments:

Ruth said...

Um, yeah, I have to agree with you on this one -- this gift is EXTREMELY disturbing (it is perhaps marginally disturbing that you FIND this stuff online). They are probably hoping to cash in on the King Kong phenomenon or something (maybe I am giving them too much credit?!).
The inventor doesn't need to be fired, he needs to be COMMITTED.
Try not to work too hard at the retreat thing... ;-)

COrealtor said...

yes, I'm going on a retreat to the mountains for work (now's a great time to rob my house) but it's going to be RIDICULOUSLY cold

Leah said...

My sister once got a mechanical dog that followed us everywhere we went and had a wierd machine bark. Scary!

Ruth said...

I just read your comment...as I said on my site...you're a nut (in a good way I suppose, but nevertheless a nut). ;-) Try not to suffer TOO MUCH at the mountains...yeesh...do I even want to know where the sales conference is?!

Ruth said...

I mean "IN the mountains"...stupid typo.

COrealtor said...

Yes, I DO like the Simpsons. I DON'T like American Pie - one of my friends always quotes "One time - at band camp..." so I just know what movie it's from. I actually never saw the first American Pie (not because of Dr D)