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AIBU?

to have such a strong reaction to this advert for cancer?

176 replies

FarleyD · 23/03/2013 13:53

I'm talking about the advert where people throw insults around, eg there's a little girl saying "you make me sick", someone else saying "cancer you twat", someone saying "we're going to get you" etc.

I don't watch much tv, and adverts barely register on my radar. I'm suprised at the strength of my reaction to this ad. I don't know what it is about it but it almost makes me feel queasy. Maybe it's the fact that the ad suggests the power is in our hands to "fight" this pernicious disease. It just doesn't sit right with me.

Does anyone else feel this way? Can anyone explain why I feel like this?! And aibu?

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wonderingsoul · 23/03/2013 14:00

iv seen that add, and i also felt a bit funny about it. i couldnt work out why as it didnt offend me at all.
maybe its becasue the other are "depressing" and that one is really load and #"positive" im not sure ,

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Ratata · 23/03/2013 14:00

I personally like the advert, a new take on adverts for cancer. Made me feel that yes cancer is indeed a twat and needs to be torn a new one. Had more of an affect than the ones that pull on the heart strings. Seems a more modern way of approaching it. Probably not everyone's cup of tea but interesting to see them with another take on it.

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500internalerror · 23/03/2013 14:01

My gut reaction was how desperate they must be to take this approach - how little support such campaigns must get now.

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ImperialBlether · 23/03/2013 14:06

I thought the advert where people fell over with the shock with really moving.

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Ratata · 23/03/2013 14:06

Also more of a "don't get sad, get angry", do something about it rather than be sad about it. As in, donate some money or run the races etc. I think it makes people sit up and take notice. There are so many adverts which leave you feeling depressed (animals, poor kids etc) and you don't feel like doing much as it makes you feel it's going to be impossible to fix all that shit. I prefer positive adverts. I started donating to the RSPCA monthly after their advert with sponsoring a safe place for cats and dogs. Positivity, and getting all grrr about things, works better than shocking footage of cruelty and sad stories I think.

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aldiwhore · 23/03/2013 14:09

I prefer it to the heartstring pulling ones, but I did find myself shouting at the telly that it often doesn't matter how hard you fucking fight it can still kill you... I know IABU, but I think my discomfort stems from the perceived implication that if you die you didn't fight hard enough?

Which is NOT what the advert was about at all... and I agree with the actual sentiment of the ad, that we should be saying 'up yours' to cancer and fighting it together, and getting angry at it is possibily more hopeful than feeling despair and defeat. That even if it kills you, LIVE to the full whilst you can. A collective battle against cancer, rather than a personal fight you possibily couldn't hope to win.

So Farley YABU to have that uncomfortable reaction to it that you can't quite put your finger on.

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FarleyD · 23/03/2013 14:09

I haven't seen that one Imperial. And, yes, 500, maybe that's it, the desperation.

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FarleyD · 23/03/2013 14:14

I don't like the tugging heartstring ones either, maybe I'm just "advert adverse" (have I invented a new term?). I do think it's better to give a message that tries to inspire, rather than depress, but to me there's something unrealistic, almost naive, about this ad?

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beatlegirl · 23/03/2013 14:17

I really don't think the 'fight' part of it is about individuals fighting their own illnesses. Its about supporting cancer research in their battle to find a cure. And I really support that idea.

My Grandfather died a horrible death, which no amount of fighting would have prevented. If there's a battle going on that will help future generations to avoid that, then let them drum up support.

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FarleyD · 23/03/2013 14:23

Oh I absolutely believe we need to raise money for research and support, I'm not questioning that at all. And, if this advert helps, then brilliant. I just don't understand my reaction to it. I suppose this is more of a "does anyone else think ...?" than a "aibu?"

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Thymeout · 23/03/2013 14:23

Agree with you, FarleyD. YANBU.
I don't like the 'fight'/'battle' terminology. As if people who die of cancer just weren't trying hard enough to live. And Danny Baker was right when he said he didn't do any fighting. His body was the battlefield. It was the doctors who were putting in the effort.
There's no point in being angry. I think it is a counter-productive emotion. I give money because I think there's a realistic chance of research leading to a cure or more effective treatment. But perhaps it works for some people. They must have done some market research on it. Just not for me.

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MurderOfGoths · 23/03/2013 14:27

Hate it.

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AmberLeaf · 23/03/2013 14:43

Anyone got a link? Ive not seen it as I don't really watch live tv.

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lisad123everybodydancenow · 23/03/2013 14:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FarleyD · 23/03/2013 14:54


Try this Amber
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IRCL · 23/03/2013 14:56

I found the one where they all fell really moving.

Made me cry actually.

I think the new one is different and i like how they've done a different take on it.

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Asheth · 23/03/2013 14:59

I don't like it. It almost feels like it belittles cancer. That if you insult it a bit it might go away. So I think I prefer the adverts that show how serious physically and emotionally cancer is. But of course I'm glad for every penny they can raise to research treatments.

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firesidechat · 23/03/2013 16:35

Ok, my husband has just had a re-occurrence of his cancer and that advert makes me feel a bit sick.

I can see why it would have seemed like a good, hard hitting, ballsy advert to the makers. But it's actually a load of rubbish.

If it was only as easy as having an aggressive rant and cancer would be running scared. I hate the whole "fighting cancer" concept. It happens, you get on with it the best you can and rely largely on the doctors and their cures. Fighting cancer suggests that if you don't get cured, then you obviously didn't fight hard enough. Think we have enough to worry about without that added pressure!.

Thought the falling down one (Macmillan nurse) was much more accurate.

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expatinscotland · 23/03/2013 16:39

I hate that ad. It's not a fight or a battle, it's a shit disease, a vile, awful disease that can strike anyone at any stage in life regardless of their lifestyle.

And you can get as sad or angry as you want if you or your loved one has it it will not make a blind bit of difference in many cases.

HATE this 'so brave' bullshit. Or people holding placards, 'I beat cancer,' 'me - 1, cancer - 0'.

You never see, 'I beat my cardiovascular disease,' or 'Me- Transplant Recipient, Donor - dead'.

Feel like posting a photo of my child's grave in response.

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expatinscotland · 23/03/2013 16:40

Exactly, fireside, or that relapses or secondary cancers don't happen.

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cleofatra · 23/03/2013 16:42

I hate it too :(

"cancer, we are coming to get you"

This is a stupid statement, especially to people who's loved ones have died from it.

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LtEveDallas · 23/03/2013 16:48

The falling down one made me cry the first time I saw it - and I'm not generally emotional in that way.

I don't like the 'fight' ones. Simply because if someone then dies, they've either lost, or they didn't fight hard enough. I think that's a bad message for children - because it opens up "But why didn't they fight harder" "Didn't they love me enough to fight?"

Cancer is an out and out bastard, but shouting at it isn't going to cure you.

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MrsKeithRichards · 23/03/2013 16:59

I agree with the whole winning thing. It doesn't sit right with me. As if it's in our power to beat it and those that don't survive have lost.

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ShellyBoobs · 23/03/2013 17:12

Not sure what I think, to be honest.

I can see its worth in trying to encourage people to contribute to the fight against cancer - the fight, that is, being fought in laboratories and surgical training, etc.

By the way, the lady in the advert says, "cancer, you prat", rather than twat.

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ShellyBoobs · 23/03/2013 17:16

The falling down one made me cry the first time I saw it - and I'm not generally emotional in that way.

I had that reaction, too.

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