That's the cheery message from themakersNaturallyspeaking在波士顿，芝加哥，费城，西雅图和旧金山的广播听众送到广播听众。和一个完全刺激的“b，欺骗”它应该得到。（这是音频。）
The commercial fails on a number of fronts: inflated claims, gender stereotyping, a misreading of its target audience, and annoying me being but four.
(2011年的25极客t 25th Anniversaries)
Here's how the ad plays out: Mom and Clueless Dad are in a car talking about holiday presents for the "six students" -- two kids and four cousins -- "on our family gift list." Clueless Dad asks Mom what she has in mind.
Mom:"Since they all tell us how much homework they have, we can get them all Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech-recognition software. They can use Dragon for book reports, essays, doing research on the Web; they won'teverhave to type again."
Never type again? That's when I swore at the radio. I understand that speech-recognition software改善了over the years, but don't tell me -- or my kids -- that there will be no need for typing and typing skills any time soon. Not buying. And their aunts and uncles had better not be buying either.
Clueless Dad:"Wait? Theytalkand their computer类型for them?"
That's right, Clueless Dad, they talk and their computer types. Clueless Dad -- old reliable for advertising writers everywhere -- will be around even longer than the need for typing skills.
Mom:"Yeah, do you think they'll like Dragon?"
We just finished establishing that Clueless Dad has never even heard of this technological marvel called speech-to-text software, yet Mom heartlessly presses him for validation of her plan, which -- let's be honest -- will go over like a new pair of socks with most young people? Not fair, Mom, let Clueless Dad concentrate on the road.
Clueless Dad, winging it anyway:“一份将更快地完成学业的礼物，让他们越早回到视频游戏？（笑）他们会爱它。他们会爱you."
In other words, win your child's heart by giving the gift of more Wii time.
Not only is that lousy parenting advice, it's a silly sales pitch. This software is being marketed and sold to parents, not children (hear any kids clamoring?). And in how many households is carving out more time for video games a goal ... of the grownups?
By the way, Dragon Naturally Speaking costsat least $100per copy, which means Mom and Clueless Dad are talking about a $600-plus investment here. And who can afford to spend that kind of scratch on nieces and nephews these days?
So Happy Holidays Mom, Clueless Dad and the marketers responsible for bringing both of you to my radio. Enjoy your lumps of coal.
(Update: Don't miss the company'sresponse below.)
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