Ego Emissions… Whatchu Talkin’ Bout Willis?
May 19, 2006 – 12:44 pm by Dan Volkens
Filed under Cool Stuff
VW just launched egoindex.com, obviously a spoof site that measures the “ego index” of everyday items and actions. I’m browsing through the site right now, and I can’t help think to myself, “How does this relate to VW?”
Check it out yourself at www.egoindex.com.
Is it in preparation for another kooky ad campaign? While it’s a very interesting and funny concept, I’m not really getting the true meaning behind it. I guess I’m just dense or something, or maybe I need to wait for the commercials to hit TV first. Since egotistical things are usually bad, keeping the ego index ratings low for any Volkswagen models on there will entice visitors to say, “Hey, I don’t want to come off as an egotistical jerk, so I’ll buy a Volkswagen! Yeah, that’s the ticket.”
From the Site:
“What are Ego Emissions? Each and every one of us deals with ego emissions every single day. Because nearly everything we do, say, use, touch or see – emits ego. A pair of jeans emits ego. So does a mohawk. Saying “‘sup dawg?” emits ego. As does the color white. The city of Wichita. And the vegetable known as “asparagus.” But who’s to say how much ego these items emit? We will figure it out together. Through this web site we will democratically determine the ego-emissions index for almost everything.”
o_0
Ego Emissions… Whatchu Talkin’ Bout Willis?
May 19, 2006 – 12:44 pm by Dan Volkens
Weird site. I thought at first it was equating high emissions to somebody having a big ego, but I guess that site is a little more generic than that. It is pretty weird it features a new Passat on the front page (17ee).
Yeah, I have to say that I don’t really get it either. I did finally see the bullhorn Passat commercial, and at the end they show the car’s badge with a tag of “low ego emissions”. But what does that really mean? That VW drivers are trendsetters that are content with thier lives? They won’t sink to the level of these other folks that will conpensate for thier shortcomings with thier cars? Wouldn’t that very statement be considered extremely egotistical, negating the entire campaign, which would…oh crap. I think I just blew a fuse.
I think VW is saying screw image, buy a car for the right reasons. I imagine people who don’t “get it” probably own the makes found in the commercial and/or have big egos. I mean, c’mon, that big ugly Chrysler that looks like a Rolls Royce on drugs, nobody is buying that because they want a well engineered automobile. People with huge egos are annoying as hell, and I think they are saying you’re not going to find that type of person buying a Passat. I would tend to agree. Sure, not EVERYONE who owns a $100,000 car has a huge ego (I would sure love one), but if you can afford one, you probably can afford to be a little more egotistical than the average Joe. An inflated ego means you think you are better than everyone else. Not sure how the color white can have an ego???
Right on Pedro. Since the commercials have aired now from the time we originally posted, I see where they were going. And I think you’ve hit on the major points of it nicely. I actually like the concept now that I’ve seen it come full circle. VW owners egotistical? Naaaahhh, of course not. haha ;)