Comments on: Circuit City Apologises for Pulling Mad Magazine, Promises to Get a Sense of Humour http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2008/08/circuit_city_apologizes_for_pulling_mad_magazine_promises_to_get_a_sense_of_humor-2/ the Gadget Guide | Technology and consumer electronics news and reviews Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:41:19 +1100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Bernard http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2008/08/circuit_city_apologizes_for_pulling_mad_magazine_promises_to_get_a_sense_of_humor-2/comment-page-1/#comment-10677 Bernard Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:36:23 +0000 http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2008/08/circuit_city_apologizes_for_pulling_mad_magazine_promises_to_get_a_sense_of_humor-2.html#comment-10677 <p>Meh. Just as I thought. The gross portrayal of epilepsy and perpetuation of the dangerous myth that one should stick anything in the mouth of someone having a seizure (see the full add here: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f27/media-coverage-reflecting-epilepsy-3933/#post36380 ) had nothing to do with Circuit City's move to block that issue.</p> <p>The Epilepsy Foundation sent the following letter to MAD Magazine:</p> <p>Jonathan Bresman <br /> MAD Magazine <br /> 1700 Broadway, Suite 463 <br /> New York, NY 10019-5905 </p> <p>Dear Mr. Bresman: </p> <p>The cartoon advertisement, Epilepsy Victim Bundle for Wii, is tasteless and disturbing to the more than 3 million Americans living with epilepsy. Epilepsy affects anyone, at any age - more than 300,000 children under the age of 15 have epilepsy; some possibly read your magazine. </p> <p>In the ad, you depict seizures as funny and/or the punch line of the joke, which further escalates the misconceptions, ignorance and fear that is *****ociated with epilepsy. Ultimately, the depiction affects how people with epilepsy are perceived, valued and accepted by society. Besides, I'm sure your creative staff can design funny ads without making light of seizures. </p> <p>Although it is too late to do anything about the advertisement, I suggest you share accurate information about epilepsy. Perhaps in the next edition of MAD or on your website, you can include the enclosed fact sheet, which is full of valuable information about epilepsy. </p> <p>For more information, visit www.epilepsyfoundation.org or call me directly at XXX-XXX-XXXX. I look forward to helping to educate your audience about epilepsy and seizures. </p> <p>Sincerely, </p> <p>[signature] </p> <p>Eric R. Hargis <br /> President & CEO</p> <p>and MAD Magazine issued a short apology:</p> <p>Dear Mr. Hargis, Thank you for your letter regarding our recent "Sucker City" parody with the "Epilepsy Victim Bundle for Wii." MAD is usually careful to avoid doing any sort of "victim humor," and we are sorry to say that this one got past the editorial staff and fell through the cracks. Please accept our apologies. Our intent was to spoof Circuit City and the products it sells - we were not targeting people living with epilepsy. We should have been more careful. We appreciate your co.ntacting us and bringing this error to our attention. We will be more vigilant in the future. (signed by the editor-in-chief) </p> <p>Both letters posted here:<br /> http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/efforums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=40&threadid=80965&enterthread=y</p> Meh. Just as I thought. The gross portrayal of epilepsy and perpetuation of the dangerous myth that one should stick anything in the mouth of someone having a seizure (see the full add here: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f27/media-coverage-reflecting-epilepsy-3933/#post36380 ) had nothing to do with Circuit City’s move to block that issue.

The Epilepsy Foundation sent the following letter to MAD Magazine:

Jonathan Bresman
MAD Magazine
1700 Broadway, Suite 463
New York, NY 10019-5905

Dear Mr. Bresman:

The cartoon advertisement, Epilepsy Victim Bundle for Wii, is tasteless and disturbing to the more than 3 million Americans living with epilepsy. Epilepsy affects anyone, at any age – more than 300,000 children under the age of 15 have epilepsy; some possibly read your magazine.

In the ad, you depict seizures as funny and/or the punch line of the joke, which further escalates the misconceptions, ignorance and fear that is *****ociated with epilepsy. Ultimately, the depiction affects how people with epilepsy are perceived, valued and accepted by society. Besides, I’m sure your creative staff can design funny ads without making light of seizures.

Although it is too late to do anything about the advertisement, I suggest you share accurate information about epilepsy. Perhaps in the next edition of MAD or on your website, you can include the enclosed fact sheet, which is full of valuable information about epilepsy.

For more information, visit http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org or call me directly at XXX-XXX-XXXX. I look forward to helping to educate your audience about epilepsy and seizures.

Sincerely,

[signature]

Eric R. Hargis
President & CEO

and MAD Magazine issued a short apology:

Dear Mr. Hargis, Thank you for your letter regarding our recent “Sucker City” parody with the “Epilepsy Victim Bundle for Wii.” MAD is usually careful to avoid doing any sort of “victim humor,” and we are sorry to say that this one got past the editorial staff and fell through the cracks. Please accept our apologies. Our intent was to spoof Circuit City and the products it sells – we were not targeting people living with epilepsy. We should have been more careful. We appreciate your co.ntacting us and bringing this error to our attention. We will be more vigilant in the future. (signed by the editor-in-chief)

Both letters posted here:
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/efforums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=40&threadid=80965&enterthread=y

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