From Lose Friends Radio comes this ‘Believe it or not’ segment Number 38, called ‘Aim and shoot’. You can read the transcript below, or listen to the original broadcast by clicking on the green play button: [audio:Jonar_Nader_38_Aim_and_shoot.mp3]
Believe it or not, according to Jonar Nader, since the introduction of camera-phones, and now digital cameras, makers of traditional film-based cameras are struggling to maintain their market share.
Concerned about their diminishing brand presence, manufacturers of photographic film have joined and combined their efforts to remain viable.
Polaroid, Fuji, and Eastman Kodak led the charge. They introduced a new camera to appeal to the adventurous. It’s called the Pistol Shot. It’s a full-function film camera in the shape of a pistol. The user simply aims and shoots. The Pistol Shot camera comes complete with realistic sound effects, night vision, gun sights, zoom-lens monocle, and laser guide.
Mr Mashimoto said that this is aimed at the younger consumer. “Young people love shooting games,” he said, “just take a look at games arcades at cinema complexes, and you will see how popular the shoot’em up games are. The cowboy appeal never goes out of fashion.”
Some countries have banned the importation of these cameras, concerned that it encourages a culture of violence. Mr Mashimoto disagreed. “Find me a James Bond movie where 007 is not carrying a gun. Besides, every department store and toy store can sell a range of toy-rifles and water pistols. We have a product that is useful, fun and safe, I don’t see why people are up in arms.”
Well, this reminds me of the recent debate in the USA about the introduction of the electronic cigarette. Apparently, the Food and Drug Administration would not allow the sale of electronic cigarettes. Its inventors could not believe their ears. They reminded us that the FDA allows the sale of tobacco filled cigarettes which have been proven to cause cancer, and which have been responsible for the death of millions of people; but our electronic cigarettes which have not claimed a single life, and whose health risks are no worse than those associated with face cream, are banned.
Believe it… or not.
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