Golly, wonder why our children are less fit and more overweight than they used to be?http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/11/18/2958961/toysrus-anti-science-anti-environmental/
By Joe Romm on November 18, 2013
Once upon a time Toys ‘R’ Us ran a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad TV Ad. It was about how science education and field trips to nature are boring, boring, boring — especially when compared to free toys.
Many people mocked and criticized them. Stephen Colbert said:
“This commercial shows kids the ‘great outdoors’ is nothing compared to the majesty of a strip mall. And they still get some nature because, remember, that confetti used to be a tree!”
A leading environmental scientist, Peter Gleick, posed the question on HuffPost, “Is This the Most Anti-Science, Anti-Environmental TV Ad Ever?” Dr. Gleick notes the “ad is offensive on so many levels,” for instance:
It insults science and environmental education teachers.
It insults science and environmental education programs and field trips.
It promotes blind commercialism and consumerism (OK, I know that’s the society we live in, and the purpose of ads, and the only real goal of Toys “R” Us, but to be so blatantly offensive and insensitive?)
The official blog of the National Recreation and Park Association writes, “Toys R Us Should Support, Not Bash, Kids’ Trips To The Woods.”
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Despite the criticism and numerous online petitions asking them to pull this offensive ad — including one at Credo Mobilize with over 19,000 signatures — the company keeps running it. In fact, iSpot.tv says the ad has run 697 times, most recently on Nick at 2:31 a.m. (!) EST Saturday during a rerun of the (adult) sitcom “The New Adventures of Old Christine.”
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Sadly, the company has made this ad — which it calls an “Amusing and Heartwarming TV Commercial” — the centerpiece of a major campaign, as its October 21 press release explains:
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