The Sophie Choice(stevenlevy.com)
stevenlevy.com
The Sophie Choice
http://www.stevenlevy.com/index.php/05/08/the-sophie-choice
5 comments
I cannot fathom why this article was titled this way. I skimmed it solely to find out what diabolical damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't, torment-your-soul "choice" could be involved. That's what the movie "Sophie's Choice" was about: A mother was offered the choice that she could escape a trip to the German concentration camps and save her own life and the life of one of her two children. Pick which child lives and which child dies. (The other "choice" in the movie being between a nice but very young man and the abusive drug addict she was already with. Having lost both her children and being a very tormented soul, she chooses the drug addict and, iirc, they commit suicide together.)
As a literary reference, this title is a completely sucky choice in words. Though perhaps the author is, say, half my age, has never seen the movie and has no idea anyone would interpret it as a literary reference. (If so: "Get off my lawn!")
As a literary reference, this title is a completely sucky choice in words. Though perhaps the author is, say, half my age, has never seen the movie and has no idea anyone would interpret it as a literary reference. (If so: "Get off my lawn!")
Literary references aside, I personally would prefer the submission title to provide some context and description of the content, it would make it much easier for me to scan the front page.
As a side note, the book was really much better than the movie.
I enjoyed the movie "Sophie's Choice" and I have to say SPOILER ALERT for the above comment.
(I'm hoping the poster edits his comment to include a spoiler alert phrase)
(I'm hoping the poster edits his comment to include a spoiler alert phrase)
(I'm hoping the poster edits her comment to include a spoiler alert phrase)
Sorry, I no longer have editing powers. Too much time has passed. (I logged in just to do as you asked, I don't normally log in from work.)
Sorry, I no longer have editing powers. Too much time has passed. (I logged in just to do as you asked, I don't normally log in from work.)
The Sophie ad is something different, less an interesting experiment in breaking an internal rule than a simple push for a product (the Chrome browser) that Google wants more users to sample.
Except I don't understand how the ad has anything to do with Chrome. It seems more like an ad for Gmail, or maybe just email itself. You don't need chrome to do all that crap.
Except I don't understand how the ad has anything to do with Chrome. It seems more like an ad for Gmail, or maybe just email itself. You don't need chrome to do all that crap.
With ChromeOS on the horizon, I think they are trying to rebrand Chrome (the word and the logo) as something that transcends the specific browser.
Chrome, be it the browser that runs on your OS, or the thing your laptop runs on, is everything you need.
Chrome, be it the browser that runs on your OS, or the thing your laptop runs on, is everything you need.
You also don't need Johnson and Johnson baby soap to wash your baby. Any soap would do.
This isn't a feature pitch, it's an attempt to associate the Chrome brand with all that's positive about the internet.
Heartwarming moment with your child? Chrome. Sharing laughter with your friends? Chrome.
etc etc. This isn't a pitch.
What I am interested in knowing here is how real the story in the ad actually is. Does Sophie exist? Does Daniel? If so, how much of this is make-believe?
I'm ok with a nondescript fictional Parisian love scenario, but it seems a bit dishonest to start using specific faces and names unless there's real authenticity there. But, so long as there is authenticity, I think these are beautiful ads.
Heartwarming moment with your child? Chrome. Sharing laughter with your friends? Chrome.
etc etc. This isn't a pitch.
What I am interested in knowing here is how real the story in the ad actually is. Does Sophie exist? Does Daniel? If so, how much of this is make-believe?
I'm ok with a nondescript fictional Parisian love scenario, but it seems a bit dishonest to start using specific faces and names unless there's real authenticity there. But, so long as there is authenticity, I think these are beautiful ads.
I assumed the whole scenario was made up until I read the article, yet what I presumed didn't bother me.
Does it really matter if the situation is fictional? It was still an emotive advert and weather the characters were made up, or are real people who I don't know, it doesn't matter to me because the point was still clear.
Does it really matter if the situation is fictional? It was still an emotive advert and weather the characters were made up, or are real people who I don't know, it doesn't matter to me because the point was still clear.
Association by proximity? not very strong
He uses email the whole time (might as well be generic email) and then at the very end for three seconds the chrome logo pops up.
Hey my neighbor volunteers at the boys & girls club. Buy my homemade jewelry! It's awesome!
He uses email the whole time (might as well be generic email) and then at the very end for three seconds the chrome logo pops up.
Hey my neighbor volunteers at the boys & girls club. Buy my homemade jewelry! It's awesome!
It's a beautiful ad.
And I can't see it because the page does not load.
Loads fine now, but here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4vkVHijdQk
[deleted]
In other words: Google is getting older.
I played with the Cr-48 recently and thought it wouldn't succeed, being at an inconvenient position between my Macbook Pro and iPad. If I sat down at a desk, I'd prefer my MBP either to code, browse the web on my external monitor, or perform other tasks like sorting my photos or music collection. If I wanted to browse the web while in bed or on the couch, I'd use my iPad. Similarly if I wanted to bring something out. The Cr-48 didn't fit in for me. I thought that Google would do better if they focused on making Android for the tablet form factor even better since it seems like that form factor is the winner in the near future.
But perhaps I'm wrong. Watching the video, I realised that maybe putting things on the cloud is how Google envisions Chrome. For casual users, you don't need hardware that has a user-writeable disk for storage or powerful machines. Perhaps there is still a (major) group of users that can do with a laptop form factor, with built-in camera, wifi and/or 3G connectivity that focuses on web applications and websites. The video clearly shows what's possible. It doesn't have to be Gmail. It could well be Facebook. It isn't a toned down netbook, it is a machine that has good connectivity to the cloud with a laptop form factor.
The Cr-48 looks similar to the black Macbook which Apple used to sell. It already looks good. But imagine a version with a Macbook Air design?
Pieces of these are obvious, but put together and you have a story.