Last night I saw an ad on tv for a "personal listening device."

[LaraMN]

It appeared to be geared toward elderly people foremost, detailing how one could use the earbuds and small device to amplify sound. They suggested using it to hear the tv (without disturbing other people in the room), to enjoy a play or a concert, etc.

THEN they posed a question like, "want to know what you neighbors across the street are talking about?" and they showed different ways you could use it to be a nosy asshole!

Anyone else see that? It was bizarre and freakish!

[Briarius]

1. That's what you said when you saw the commercial last night...

wait, I mean, that is bizarre and freakish!

[LaraMN]

3. I know there's a joke in there.

But it went right over my depleted head!
:P

[GenDem]

2. I've seen it

I think they're banking on the nosy set a little more than the elderly, don't you?

I was a little freaked by the commercial, too.

[LaraMN]

4. Yes. Yes I do.

I'm all for NOT equipping the nosy with additional ideas on how to be more effective in their nosiness.

[GenDem]

5. It sounds like a right wing toy to me

Like a mini NSA spying device made especially for John Q Citizen.

[LaraMN]

6. They should have taken the sales angle, "want to find out what those Arabs

at Starbucks are plotting?"

[GenDem]

15. Not a good thing to unleash

that's for sure.

[BarenakedLady]

7. Oh great

One more thing I have to worry about.

:eyes:

[LaraMN]

9. No kidding!

You'd better stop your trash talkin'!

[BarenakedLady]

11. But....but...

that's what I do best!

:)

[Call Me Wesley]

8. Small device?

;)

[LaraMN]

10. This one was "smaller than a credit card" and had earbuds.

So you can be MUCH more covert!

[Call Me Wesley]

13. It's only $19.95, and you're a member of the

Homeland Security Sonic Earz Elderly Squad! :woohoo: (Comes with free notepad to write suspicious conversations down.)

[Wetzelbill]

12. what? I can't hear you....

[Call Me Wesley]

14. Here, for you:

[Wetzelbill]

16. well, at least that didn't make me throw up

this time, CMW. :)

[Call Me Wesley]

18. LOL!

:thumbsup: :hi:

[Wetzelbill]

19. I'll be playing here all week...

:toast:

[ScreamingMeemie]

17. The one where he overhears what his daughter is giving him for

his birthday? Gosh, that guy is a bad actor. When he's standing by the fireplace listening in on a joke being told across the room, I'm like,"Wouldn't people find a man standing by himself and laughing hysterically a bit odd?"

[LaraMN]

20. As odd as those people with cell phone earpieces

that walk around the grocery store seemingly talking to themselves?

:rofl:

[pitohui]

21. yeah, i've heard of people using them to isolate birdsong

it is illegal to use them to listen in on other people's conversations, i'm sure it happens, but i've never heard anyone admit to using them for this purpose

they've probably been around a decade or more in the birding community

other than picking out a high pitched distant song, i am not clear on how these could be better than hearing aids

[rug]

22. If you donate $50 to the RNC you get one signed by Gonzalez.

[reyd reid reed]

23. I've seen that one, too...

tacky. And I don't WANT to know what my nieghbors are saying about me.

[acmavm]

24. Saw it just a few minutes ago. That commercial upsets me everytime

I see it. I think that what they're really saying is...

Now YOU can be an intrusive asshole, listen to private conversations, eavesdrop on your boss, spy on your neighbors, invade everyone's privacy just like the bush** administration.