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German Pranksters Spoof Google Nest At Tech Conference
phmadore writes: "Some clever German pranksters managed to put one over on a sect of the intelligentsia just the other day. In this 30-minute presentation (video) at the re:publica 2014 tech conference, activists going under the pseudonyms of Paul von Ribbeck and Gloria Spindle presented four new (and moderately credible) Google products making up the 'Google Nest': Google Trust, Google Hug, Google Bee, and Google Bye. 'We can't really guarantee that we protect your information, but we can do our very best to protect you,' says Spindle about eight minutes in. Google is reportedly rather upset about the whole affair. The conference organizers were in on the joke — the audience were clued in afterward and asked to participate in order to fool the media. For me, the discussion-worthy items here are: data insurance and the value of data."
If people won't pay attention to your message unless you commit fraud, they aren't likely to start caring after you hoax them. Well, someone will care that you're a liar probably, and someone else will care that you stole their identity, credentials and good name to perpetrate your hoax, but that's about it.
Are we sure it was a spoof? It sounds a lot like Google. Maybe they’re trying to distance themselves from their horrible ideas.
German pranksters? They've mastered the Orwellian English of advertising to people who think they're smart. Bravo and brava!
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You can't write Google is upset and then use as a source for that assertion an interview with the pranksters (who are still in character) themselves.
awwwwww, everyone feel sorry for google.
awwwwww
Have a Contract on your Contact.
A 'click' is now a click away.
Why? She had no tits...
They couldn't fool the conference organizers, so they explained how it was clever satirical social commentary.
They couldn't fool the audience, so they explained how it was clever satirical social commentary.
The media didn't buy it either, so they explained how it was clever satirical social commentary
Is it me, or are the only people those "pranksters" managed to "put one over" themselves?
They hammered your post down without offering an explanation for their actions.
First: dickhead points for saying 'intelligentsia'.
But a 'sect'?
Why didn't Gloria (the lesbian on scene) wear a bra ?
Actually, I found both Paul and Gloria hot. If given the choice of only being able to do it with one of them, I would have a hard time trying to decide which one I would do it with.
I am wondering if German humor is germane anymore.
This hoax is too close to what Google are planning to do and they don't like the press finding out in advance of the products they are going to launch.
I'd rather watch them do eachother
I'd rather watch them do eachother
Some people like to watch instead of participate; you must be a teacher.
So many of the commentors seem upset. I think someone needs a google hug!
Sure enough, the cow costume was hanging up next to the superhero outfit and sailors uniform. (S,Spud)
There's a number of red flags that pop up for me in their talk. The first is about 3 min in when they mention Larry Page sending "Gloria" to work with "Paul."
then somewhere close to 6 min when she says "But that doesn't work because we need your data." Then the non-password login @ ~10 min. (planted users for hug demo). etc. etc. etc.
Like the title says, "obvious troll is obvious." And "Gloria's" demeanor totally weirds me out (like a fake TED meets Apple presenter).