Yes! Yes! Thank you! Thank you!

Seth Godin passed along this video at Pwn or Die, noting that it’s pretty disturbing to watch the graphic intersection of commercialization and children.

From a marketing sense, however, you have to acknowledge the power of the Nintendo Wii brand here. How many products (or people) have brands that make individuals weep when they intersect with them?

These are the reactions I’m hoping for after my presentations and workshops. 

Comments

[Audrey]

1.

I have to say.. that creeped me right out. Makes me ashamed of our culture.

[Ryan]

2.

Nintendo has a history of this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFlcqWQVVuU

[Leigh Zeitz (Dr. Z)]

3.

I don't know if I fully agree with your analysis of the weeping wailers we watched as they screamed, cried and drove their fists into the air in celebration of receiving the Wii video game system. While this is definitely a commercial product that the kids saw on TV commercials that were designed to place the Wii on a holy pedestal to be revered by our digital natives, these reactions are not just a matter of rampant commercialism.

I think that they signify fulfillment of their wishes to have personal access to an environment where their efforts are positively reinforced in an incremental manner that guides them to success. The games were developed to motivate and reward - and they succeed.

I must admit that I have a Wii and I have been using the Wii Fit system for about 10 days. I am TOTALLY HOOKED! I awaken in the morning thinking about weather I will jog or dance or meditate on my Wii. As the system boots up and I identify myself, my cybercoach congratulates me on returning for another hour of physical challenges and accomplishments.

Besides the the arcade accolades that I receive as I head soccer balls, navigate bubbles down rivers, walk tightropes and spin hula hoops, I have experienced physical developments that benefit my posture and overall well being. I have a great time using my Wii and it makes me feel successful.

The part of our culture that we should question is not commercialism. We should ask why don't all of our students feel this way on their first day of school? How many of them punched the air with excitement as they left their homes to return to school this week? Some of them did and we should identify what their teachers are doing to provide them with the sense of success that invites them back for more.

We should take a lesson in motivation and engagement from Wii and integrate it into our classrooms.

Dr. Z
http://drzreflects.com