Magic is a concept that has captivated human beings for centuries. From ancient civilizations to modern day, people have been fascinated by the idea of manipulating supernatural forces to achieve extraordinary feats. The belief in magic is deeply rooted in the human psyche, often stemming from a desire for control or a need to explain the inexplicable. The allure of magic lies in its ability to defy the laws of nature and provide a sense of wonder and mystery. In many cultures, magic is closely connected to religion and spirituality. Shamans and mystics are often believed to possess the power to communicate with spirits or tap into unseen energies.
Shamans and mystics are often believed to possess the power to communicate with spirits or tap into unseen energies. These individuals are revered for their abilities to heal, predict the future, or influence events through their connection to the supernatural. Magic also holds a prominent place in folklore and mythology.
The Stupid Google Pixel Magic Eraser Commercial
I'm not sure when this happened but, New Year's Eve is now the most important sports day on the calendar. Back-to-back College Football Playoff games, including TCU vs Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale (a couple of guys wearing Hypnotoad shirts walked into the coffee shop when I was writing this); Alabama, who is probably the best team in the country, destroyed #9 Kansas State earlier in the day; ASU vs Arizona college basketball in Tempe; and what feels like a thousand hockey and basketball games.
The dumbest commercial on TV will show dozens of times throughout these games: the Google Pixel commercial. Google’s pitch to convince you to buy a new phone is a feature that allows you to scrub out unwanted things from the background of pictures. In one commercial, Giannis Antetokounmpo takes a selfie and scrubs out a guy eating a hot dog in the background. In another commercial, a guy takes a picture of his wife on a famous hike and scrubs out all the tourists in the background.
I’ve been able to scrub out things in the background of my pictures since 2005 when I first used Photoshop. You can go to the App Store and download a free app that can “magic erase” anything you want. Google is spending millions of dollars promoting a feature that isn’t unique.
The Google Pixel Pro is $899.
The crazy thing is, I’m sure that it’s working. Google isn’t dumb. They know their audience and it’s probably resonating with them. There would be no other reason to show this stupid feature in all of their commercials.
But, this has less to do with Google than it does with human behavior. We want the new thing because we want to stunt over our neighbors. Even if it's paying $1,000 just to say, hey look, I can remove that thing from my picture.
This has confounded many of us, including Henry Ford. Mr. Ford built durable and long-lasting cars. The problem is that you can’t sell more cars if people still drive the old ones. General Motors decided to come out with a new car every year that was slightly different than the previous model - the antithesis of Ford. Eventually, GM took Ford’s market share and Ford, reluctantly, had to start doing the same new-model-every-year thing.
Do we need a new iPhone every year? The iPhone is damn-near a perfect product; there isn’t much room for improvement. But Apple knows people will buy the new thing, so they’ll come up with one new feature or make it slightly faster and people will buy them.
There are many environmentalists that want to change consumerism. I think that's stupid. We shouldn't be butting our heads against human behavior. Instead, we should take advantage of this human quirk and design sustainable products around that. Want a new phone every year? Rent this one and exchange it next year. Apple updates iOS every year and after I update my phone, it feels like I have a new one.
Sex will always sell and people will always want to keep up with Joneses. Let’s use this to our advantage instead of slamming our collective heads repeatedly against the, “we can convince people to consume less,” wall.
- Share on Twitter
- Share on Facebook
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share on Pinterest
- Share via Email
- Copy link
Daniel Velez Twitter
Daniel is building the future of reuse. His last venture, Growly Delivers, delivered local beer in returnable high-tech growlers. What will he do next?
The crazy thing is, I’m sure that it’s working. Google isn’t dumb. They know their audience and it’s probably resonating with them. There would be no other reason to show this stupid feature in all of their commercials.
Ancient tales are filled with fantastical creatures, enchanted objects, and powerful sorcerers. These stories serve as a means to entertain, but also as a way to transmit cultural values and beliefs. In the realm of entertainment, magic has become a popular form of performance art. Illusionists and magicians captivate audiences with their sleight of hand, mind-boggling tricks, and seemingly impossible feats. The allure of magic lies in the ability to suspend disbelief and experience a sense of wonder and astonishment. However, it is important to note that while magic may captivate our imagination, it is ultimately a product of illusion, trickery, and misdirection. The tricks performed by magicians rely on skill, practice, and a deep understanding of human psychology. In a broader sense, magic can also be seen as a metaphor for the extraordinary potential that lies within each individual. It represents the power to overcome limitations, achieve the impossible, and create change. It is through this interpretation that magic becomes a symbol of human resilience, creativity, and endless possibilities. Whether it be in the realms of spirituality, entertainment, or personal growth, magic continues to captivate and inspire us. It is a testament to the boundless human imagination and our innate desire to explore the unknown. In the end, it is up to each individual to determine their own beliefs and interpretations of magic..
Reviews for "The Magic of Illusions: Creating Optical Tricks and Mind-Bending Effects"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed in "Magic is aut". The plot was weak and the characters felt underdeveloped. The magical elements were not explained well and I found myself confused throughout the book. The pacing was also a problem, with the story dragging in some parts and feeling rushed in others. Overall, I didn't find this book engaging or enjoyable.
2. Mark - 1 star - I cannot understand the hype around "Magic is aut". The writing style was difficult to get into and the dialogue felt forced. The story lacked depth and the world-building was lacking. I found myself struggling to connect with any of the characters and their motivations were unclear. I was expecting a captivating and immersive magical experience, but I was sorely disappointed.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Magic is aut" but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was all over the place, with moments of intense action followed by long stretches of nothing happening. The concept of magic in the book was interesting, but it wasn't explored enough and left me wanting more. The writing style didn't resonate with me either, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, this book just wasn't for me.
4. Jason - 1 star - "Magic is aut" was a tedious read for me. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises. The characters felt flat and one-dimensional, making it difficult to care about their fates. The world-building was also lacking, leaving many unanswered questions. I found myself forcing through the pages, hoping it would get better, but unfortunately, it never did. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and captivating magical story.
5. Laura - 3 stars - I had mixed feelings about "Magic is aut". While I enjoyed some aspects of the book, such as the unique magical system and the intriguing premise, there were also several flaws. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on and others feeling rushed. The characters were underdeveloped and their actions sometimes felt illogical. Overall, I think "Magic is aut" had potential but fell short in execution.