There Are So Many Ways Machines Can Hurt You... And There Are Warning Stickers For Them All

from the beware-of-warning-sticker dept

What would you do if you found yourself at the LA Convention Center in the middle of WESTEC -- a trade show for machine manufacturers? Well, if you're my friend Jean from Notcot, you would go around and take a ton of pictures of the warning labels found on a bunch of the machines.

There's something oddly fascinating about all of these. I've included some more below, but there are a lot more in the original post. It's like a virtual museum of warning labels. Of course, it makes you wonder (or, maybe it just makes me wonder) who designs the warning labels, and how they settle in on the graphic choices. Similarly, figuring out exactly what you warn about could be a challenge. I like the one that says you have to wear goggles just to observe this machine. I suddenly have the urge to put warning labels on all my gadgets.

Filed Under: machines, notcot, photography, warning labels, westec

Bill Introduced To Require Bogus 'Warnings' On Video Games

from the junk-science dept

For years, we've looked closely at the various research on video games and aggression, and time and time again what comes up is that there's no clear link. Sure, some studies purport to show a link, but it's always in the interpretation, rather than the data. When you dig into the data you find something entirely different. At best, the studies have shown that people get emotional while playing video games, and that emotion may carry over for a short period of time. But there's nothing that shows it leads to increased violence. In fact, some of the research suggests that such content can often act as an outlet.

So it seems especially ridiculous to find out that Representative Joe Baca has decided to introduce a bill into Congress called the Video Game Health Labeling Act, which would require warning labels on video games which read:

WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior

Of course, this is silly for a whole bunch of reasons. First, it's not true, as discussed above. Some researchers have claimed this, but the research does not actually support it. Second, what a total waste of time. It's not as if anyone will actually pay attention to these labels anyway. One of the other backers of the bill, Rep. Frank Wolf made the following statement in support:

"Just as we warn smokers of the health consequences of tobacco, we should warn parents -- and children -- about the growing scientific evidence demonstrating a relationship between violent video games and violent behavior.... As a parent and grandparent, I think it is important people know everything they can about the extremely violent nature of some of these games."

Except, as noted, the scientific evidence says no such thing. And, on top of that, there's already a (voluntary, but widely used) ratings system for video games, such that any buyers can easily find out about the nature of the games they're buying. A warning label doesn't change that at all.

Filed Under: frank wolf, joe baca, video games, violence, warning labels

French Politician Proposes Warning Labels On Any Photoshopped Ad Or Marketing Label

from the no-digital-slimming-down dept

Mr. LemurBoy points out that some French politicians are pushing a law that would require a label on any marketing or advertising image that was photoshopped, airbrushed or edited in some manner. The idea, of course, is that they don't want ad campaigns to portray things in a manner that is not quite truthful. But shouldn't there just be a simpler rule against deceptive advertising (one I imagine must already exist)? If it's just a little edit to make the photo more reasonable, why should it require some special disclosure?

Filed Under: france, photoshop, warning labels