I wonder

[mbarrick]

Ever since I saw the first Matrix movie I've wondered why they chose nosce te ipsum over γνωθι σεαυτον? It is from the Greek oracle's temple at Delphi, after all. So why the Latin over the Greek? Was it a mistake or did someone decide that the Greek was too illegible or "foreign" looking for the intended (i.e. North American) audience? Is this another example of the same mentality that retitled "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" to "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" for fear that the word "Philosopher" would adversely impact sales. Are people really that stupid, or is it just that the marketing weasels have an unfairly low opinion?

Comments

Sorcerer vs Philosopher

[mediavictim.livejournal.com]

"Philosopher" would adversely impact sales"

Well if you consider the target market

How many kindergarden-grade 4 level philosophy classes have you seen?

"Now today boys and girls we must conclude that there is meaning in nothing and that the works of Kant and Nietche
have particular significance to Plato , Aristotle , and Socrates... but first who needs potty?
yes..who indeed needs potty?
And just what is NEEDING Potty ?
And what sense of self do we use when we say "I want potty?"
...oh its nap time"

Re: Sorcerer vs Philosopher

[mbarrick.livejournal.com]

So just how did the book manage to be a top seller in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and even here in Canada without being retitled? Why dumb it down for the U.S.?

Re: Sorcerer vs Philosopher

[mediavictim.livejournal.com]

"Why dumb it down for the U.S.?"

.....

take a moment to think about that question....


This is the same country that hired George W , the Same country despite having the most wealth has the lowest
Ejukashun

Re: Sorcerer vs Philosopher

[mbarrick.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but is it really the best way to go? People, even stupid people, don't like to be treated like they are stupid.

[dream-king.livejournal.com]

having working with a lot of marketting people in the last year at the dot.com I am at, I have to say, people really are stupid and the Marketting people know that the audience is dumb.