Saturday, October 3, 2020

Why is this Facebook voting ad so spooky?

A few nights ago I was watching TV when this jarring commercial aired:

The point is to encourage Facebook users to learn about the 2020 voting process.  But the ad makes voting seem like it's some ominous endeavor.  Here are some highlights: 

0:00:  Spooky piano music plays.  An old woman stares out the window.  A girl in a darkened room gets ready to blow out her birthday candles, possibly for the last time.  A despondent man sits in the woods.  A mailman has a concerned look on his face while holding an envelope.  Some dude in a bathroom is stunned while reading a Facebook update about a dog.

0:17: A beleaguered mother of two tries to type something into her phone, and fails.

0:27: Close-up shot of a tongue.  

0:33:  The spooky piano music plays again.  The elderly woman asks her friend, "You'll be safe, right?"  (This is the LAST thing you'd ever want to ask someone in a horror movie.)  Two women in masks douse a voting area with spray and goo.  

0:49:  The ghostly sound of a child's laughter is heard.  

0:52:  A guy goes "Whoo!" in the voting booth.  (This isn't  scary, but the guy seems obnoxious.  I think he's wearing a fedora.)

0:56:  A plug for the website: www.fb.com/votinginfocenter.  This is the thing being advertised, believe it or not.  

With all that said, the actual FB website seems useful, and I was able to check my registration status in about 45 seconds.  However, I would have never thought to visit the website if I weren't poring over this spooky ad in preparation for writing a blog post.  The whole presentation reminded me of that infamous ad for the electric car.  You know, the one which made it seem like anyone who bought an electric car was doomed:

24 comments:

Linda McGrath said...

The Facebook voting ad feels spooky because it uses eerie visuals and unsettling music, making it feel more like a horror trailer than a typical ad. How do these psychological tactics influence viewers' emotions and perceptions? As a student working on my proposal dissertation, I’m curious how such techniques can be analyzed in media studies.

Jung Kooie said...

Okay, so a voting ad shouldn't resemble a horror film trailer, right? The tongue close-up? Seriously?! It feels less like civic engagement and more like a Stephen King adaptation. Once, I had to decipher my grandma's handwritten ballot instructions; it was a similar struggle against confusion, felt like needing a block breaker to just understand it. Anyway, good website at least.

Anonymous said...

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Rikana said...

Wow, that ad sounds like a complete train wreck! Seriously, using horror movie tropes to encourage voting? Makes absolutely no sense. I agree, it probably scares more people away than it informs. It's good to know the actual voting info center is helpful though. I find that sometimes, if I'm feeling overwhelmed or unfocused, tackling a sudoku puzzle really helps me clear my head and concentrate on the task at hand. Maybe Facebook should try a Sudoku-themed ad campaign instead - way less scary!

Jasper Chanter said...

I completely relate to the unsettling vibe this ad evokes. I remember watching a similar commercial during election season, which made me feel more anxious than informed. The dramatic visuals and eerie music created an atmosphere that was hard to shake off, making something as crucial as voting seem almost terrifying. Interestingly, despite the fear tactic, it did prompt me to check my registration, but it didn't leave a good taste in my mouth. For a lighter distraction, I recommend trying the Italian Brainrot Clicker; it's a fun way to unwind after such intense messaging.

DiCaprio45 said...

I totally get what you mean about the spooky Facebook voting ad! It really grabs your attention, doesn't it? Speaking of captivating experiences, I recently stumbled upon a game called drift boss that offers an adrenaline rush while making strategic decisions. It's fascinating how both the ad and the game evoke strong emotions and prompt us to think critically. What do you think is the intention behind such ads in our digital age?

Asley Patricia said...

This Facebook voting advertisement is creepy in the sense that it plays the line between persuasion and manipulation due to heavy visuals based on emotion and targeting to affect behaviour. It is a reminder of the importance of media literacy, just as Professional Edexcel Assignment Help London helps people to be more clear by making them doubt the source, intention and the hidden influence of digital communication.

Alice Proby said...

That ad definitely took a bizarre turn! The ominous tone is quite off-putting. It's like they tried to make voting seem as intense as a high-stakes game of 8 ball pool , where every shot counts and the pressure is on.

Ellie Dulhunty said...

It's like they were trying to make voting seem like an extreme sport. Maybe they were going for drama, but it sounds more like a trailer for a low-budget horror movie than something encouraging. Perhaps a campaign showing everyday people as voting speed stars, quickly and easily making their voices heard, would have been more effective.

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Connor Gilbert said...

"Drive Mad" is such a fun game! It's interesting to see how even simple, engaging activities, like maneuvering that little car, can be so relaxing. I find these kinds of games really help me wind down after a long day. It’s like a mini mental reset button.

Marsh said...

What a bizarre mosaic of impending doom and mundane absurdity. From birthday candles to social media shock, it's a wonderfully unsettling blend. That poor mailman probably saw something truly awful. I once spent an entire afternoon trying to fix a persistent bug in my drift hunters racing game. The frustration was real, mirroring that mother's phone struggle.