Hilarious Australian Train Safety Ad

angrysoba · 29th November 2012, 06:57 AM

The Guardian reports a video made by the Australian Metro warning people not to find any "dumb ways to die" around the trains.

I don't know how effective it will be but it made me laugh a lot with their run-down of hypothetical Darwin-award-winning behaviour. Please watch:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/vide...s-to-die-video

coalesce · 29th November 2012, 07:23 AM

Wonderful, thanks for posting.

Michael

richardm · 29th November 2012, 07:23 AM

Haha, that is fantastic

The Don · 29th November 2012, 07:45 AM

The youtube comments remind me of this place, instead of enjoying a cute little cartoon, people are bitching about references to North American animals in an Australian advert

KatieG · 29th November 2012, 08:14 AM

I love this so much! The song might hit #1 at this rate.

Ryokan · 29th November 2012, 08:48 AM

That was hilarious..

DGM · 29th November 2012, 09:01 AM

I didn't really see it as all that funny. I think it's sad there's the need to equate such stupid ways to die with the very real dangers associated with their service.

Clever as it maybe, the video is essentially saying "wake-up you morons".

CORed · 29th November 2012, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by The Don

The youtube comments remind me of this place, instead of enjoying a cute little cartoon, people are bitching about references to North American animals in an Australian advert

I wonder if this was done by an American ad agency. The rattlesnake surprised me a bit, as Australia has no shortage of indigenous venomous snakes. I suppose you could also substitute crocodile for grizzly bear.

angrysoba · 29th November 2012, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by DGM

I didn't really see it as all that funny. I think it's sad there's the need to equate such stupid ways to die with the very real dangers associated with their service.

Clever as it maybe, the video is essentially saying "wake-up you morons".

Yes, it's saying, "wake up you morons" and it is funny.

rjh01 · 29th November 2012, 07:22 PM

They should have said "so many STUPID ways to die. Dumb means unable to speak.
Australia also does not have any grizzly bears. Not to mention rattlesnakes.

LashL · 29th November 2012, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by angrysoba

The Guardian reports a video made by the Australian Metro warning people not to find any "dumb ways to die" around the trains.

I don't know how effective it will be but it made me laugh a lot with their run-down of hypothetical Darwin-award-winning behaviour. Please watch:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/vide...s-to-die-video

Love it.

Though now I have an earworm. Grr.

lionking · 29th November 2012, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by angrysoba

Yes, it's saying, "wake up you morons" and it is funny.

Spot on. Sad to say, people in Melbourne die every year by doing stupid things around trains. If you are going to have a public safety ad, it's a pretty good idea you make one people will watch.

Alan · 29th November 2012, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by rjh01

They should have said "so many STUPID ways to die. Dumb means unable to speak.
Australia also does not have any grizzly bears. Not to mention rattlesnakes.

Tram safety posters have been based around rhino imagery for a while.

megaresp · 29th November 2012, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by DGM

I didn't really see it as all that funny. I think it's sad there's the need to equate such stupid ways to die with the very real dangers associated with their service.

Clever as it maybe, the video is essentially saying "wake-up you morons".

Well this is the country that gave the world the 'Drink. Drive. Bloody idiot' campaign. 'Wake-up you morons' is actually toning it down a bit.

megaresp · 29th November 2012, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by rjh01

They should have said "so many STUPID ways to die. Dumb means unable to speak.
Australia also does not have any grizzly bears. Not to mention rattlesnakes.

The word 'dumb' has a colloquial meaning in widespread use throughout the entire English-speaking world.

If you're going to be a tedious pedant you could at least have the courtesy to do your homework.

fuelair · 29th November 2012, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by DGM

I didn't really see it as all that funny. I think it's sad there's the need to equate such stupid ways to die with the very real dangers associated with their service.

Clever as it maybe, the video is essentially saying "wake-up you morons".

Why yes, yes it is!!! And I suspect they had a reason or three to think that!!!

lionking · 29th November 2012, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by fuelair

Why yes, yes it is!!! And I suspect they had a reason or three to think that!!!

There's nothing much more idiotic than cars driving around level crossing barriers, yet you see it happen regularly. I'll pull up a few you tubes of this happening.

arthwollipot · 29th November 2012, 08:50 PM

In fact, "mute" is the preferred term for someone who is unable to speak, precisely because dumb also means stupid.

GrouchoMarxist · 29th November 2012, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by CORed

I wonder if this was done by an American ad agency. The rattlesnake surprised me a bit, as Australia has no shortage of indigenous venomous snakes. I suppose you could also substitute crocodile for grizzly bear.

Set fire to your hair
poke a stick at a crocodile
I can't put my finger on it, but grizzly bear seems to work better for some reason.

angrysoba · 29th November 2012, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by rjh01

They should have said "so many STUPID ways to die. Dumb means unable to speak.
Australia also does not have any grizzly bears. Not to mention rattlesnakes.

So what? There are no lions in Britain. No unicorns, either.

Corsair 115 · 29th November 2012, 09:28 PM

I first saw the video on YouTube about a week ago. Currently has almost 29 million views.

angrysoba · 29th November 2012, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by Corsair 115

I first saw the video on YouTube about a week ago. Currently has almost 29 million views.

Looks like I'm late to the party once again.

Corsair 115 · 29th November 2012, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by angrysoba

Looks like I'm late to the party once again.

You are the first to start a thread about it though. And you did introduce the video to some people who hadn't seen it yet. Both good things in my book.

SUSpilot · 29th November 2012, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by lionking

There's nothing much more idiotic than cars driving around level crossing barriers, yet you see it happen regularly. I'll pull up a few you tubes of this happening.

Try being on the locomotive of a 10,000 ton train and watch it. Fortunately, I've never actually seen someone get hit...

SezMe · 29th November 2012, 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by rjh01

Australia also does not have any grizzly bears. Not to mention rattlesnakes.

Dumb ways to die don't just occur in Oz.

Skeptic Ginger · 29th November 2012, 11:20 PM

I thought it was great!

Earthborn · 29th November 2012, 11:45 PM

How about a video that was inspired by Dumb Ways To Die, about Mars rover Curiosity's not so spectacular discovery:

YouTube Video This video is not hosted by the JREF. The JREF can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website.

I AGREE

Joey McGee · 29th November 2012, 11:57 PM

Ok a dumb way to die is to fly your plane improperly and decapitate yourself by flying it and landing it upside down. I would have prefered a cartoon about lots of real ways to die, like trying to get something out of an electrical outlet with a butter knife, or making toast while having a bath. ****, those crazy videos they showed us in grade one were more brtual than this! haha

leftysergeant · 30th November 2012, 12:18 AM

Originally Posted by CORed

I wonder if this was done by an American ad agency. The rattlesnake surprised me a bit, as Australia has no shortage of indigenous venomous snakes. I suppose you could also substitute crocodile for grizzly bear.

Not many people could name off the deadly venomous snakes in Australia, but the rattlesnake has been made popular around the world in our movies, so most people know to to get freaky with one.

lionking · 30th November 2012, 12:28 AM

To answer CORed's question above, it was an Australian advertising company responsible for some iconic Australian ads since the 60s (including "Louie the Fly" for the aged Aussies who might be here).

And believe it or not, we have heard of rattle snakes and grizzly bears. Fancy that.

The Don · 30th November 2012, 02:01 AM

The damn song kept going through my mind as I was chopping kindling this morning. My woodsman skills are shaky at best and it quite but me off my stroke.

Chop you leg off with an axe....
...so you can't run when a badger attacks

cwalner · 30th November 2012, 02:27 AM

Originally Posted by leftysergeant

Not many people could name off the deadly venomous snakes in Australia, but the rattlesnake has been made popular around the world in our movies, so most people know to to get freaky with one.

That has got to be one of the most ridiculous reasons mentioned. While technically true, since most people (in the world) do not live in Australia. I would still expect most adult Australians to know the natural dangers of their own country.

Originally Posted by lionking

To answer CORed's question above, it was an Australian advertising company responsible for some iconic Australian ads since the 60s (including "Louie the Fly" for the aged Aussies who might be here).

And believe it or not, we have heard of rattle snakes and grizzly bears. Fancy that.

That's impossible. Australia is on the opposite side of the world from the US. In order for you guys to have such widespread knowledge of Americana there would have to some sort of way for instant communication between the countries, like some globe spanning lattice of tubes. I think not!!

lionking · 30th November 2012, 02:36 AM

Originally Posted by cwalner

That has got to be one of the most ridiculous reasons mentioned. While technically true, since most people (in the world) do not live in Australia. I would still expect most adult Australians to know the natural dangers of their own country.

Too right cobber!

Fact is, I have animals just over my back fence that can kill me. I've killed three Eastern Brown Snakes in my time (yeah, yeah, I know they're protected). "Eastern Brown Snake" wouldn't quite scan as well as rattlesnake.

pakeha · 30th November 2012, 03:44 AM

Originally Posted by Earthborn

How about a video that was inspired by Dumb Ways To Die, about Mars rover Curiosity's not so spectacular discovery:

YouTube Video This video is not hosted by the JREF. The JREF can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website.

I AGREE

Clever!

anglolawyer · 30th November 2012, 03:51 AM

Originally Posted by angrysoba

So what? There are no lions in Britain. No unicorns, either.

Yes there are.

anglolawyer · 30th November 2012, 03:58 AM

I think some here may be missing the point of the Ad, so I am going to explain it. Up until the railway deaths, the others are all so completely crazy they make you laugh. It's their craziness that matters, not their Aussieness (the Aussies don't have a manned space programme, as well as not having rattlesnakes or grizzlies but the population has probably heard of all these things). Then you come to three much more realistic types of folly associated with the railways and it juxtaposes those things with the fantasy ones, thus saying: 'you laughed, right? But this is what people really do on our railways! Can you believe it? Don't be one of them.' [/patronising lecture]

lionking · 30th November 2012, 04:01 AM

Well said anglolawyer.

The important thing is that needless deaths on railways has been exposed.

The Don · 30th November 2012, 05:47 AM

Originally Posted by lionking

Well said anglolawyer.

The important thing is that needless deaths on railways has been exposed.

Are there other kinds of railway deaths ? Does Australia have the concept of needed railway deaths ?

Edited to add....

Yes, I know, as opposed to deaths that are accident not due to the dead person's folly

angrysoba · 30th November 2012, 05:52 AM

Originally Posted by anglolawyer

Yes there are.

Well, in zoos and "safari parks", but by that token there are also grizzly bears and rattlesnakes and...er...meese(?) in Australia.

And I notice you didn't correct me on the unicorns.

Damien Evans · 30th November 2012, 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by lionking

Too right cobber!

Fact is, I have animals just over my back fence that can kill me. I've killed three Eastern Brown Snakes in my time (yeah, yeah, I know they're protected). "Eastern Brown Snake" wouldn't quite scan as well as rattlesnake.

The only way an eastern brown snake is going to kill you is if the ambulance takes 6 hours to get there or you're misdiagnosed. And that's the second most venomous snake in the world based on LD₅₀ results. Even untreated the mortality rate is only 10-20%.

Now, that's not to say that it won't hurt like hell and put you in hospital for a few days, but the fact is the last time a death was recorded from an eastern brown was over 5 years ago, and that was from a young girl who was misdiagnosed.

http://toxinology.com/fusebox.cfm?fu...play&id=SN0533

Also, the most likely way to get bitten by an eastern brown? Trying to kill it.

29th November 2012, 07:23 AM	#2
coalesce Illuminator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 3,340	Wonderful, thanks for posting. Michael
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29th November 2012, 07:23 AM	#3
richardm Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 9,270	Haha, that is fantastic
richardm Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 9,270	__________________ Rimmer: Look at her! Magnificent woman! Very prim, very proper, almost austere. Some people took her for cold, thought she was aloof. Not a bit of it. She just despised fools. Quite tragic, really, because otherwise I think we'd have got on famously.

29th November 2012, 08:14 AM	#5
KatieG Graduate Poster Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: at the end of the Oregon Trail Posts: 1,265	I love this so much! The song might hit #1 at this rate.
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29th November 2012, 09:01 AM	#7
DGM #4 Join Date: May 2007 Location: West of Northshore MA Posts: 14,299	I didn't really see it as all that funny. I think it's sad there's the need to equate such stupid ways to die with the very real dangers associated with their service. Clever as it maybe, the video is essentially saying "wake-up you morons".
	__________________ Join the team, Show us what your machine can do (or just contribute to a good cause)Join the JREF Folders ! Team 13232 "Remember that the goal of conspiracy rhetoric is to bog down the discussion, not to make progress toward a solution" Jay Windley

29th November 2012, 09:04 AM	#8
CORed Illuminator Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4,281	Originally Posted by The Don The youtube comments remind me of this place, instead of enjoying a cute little cartoon, people are bitching about references to North American animals in an Australian advert I wonder if this was done by an American ad agency. The rattlesnake surprised me a bit, as Australia has no shortage of indigenous venomous snakes. I suppose you could also substitute crocodile for grizzly bear.
CORed Illuminator Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4,281

29th November 2012, 06:57 AM	#1
angrysoba Philosopher Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Osaka, Japan Posts: 8,500	Hilarious Australian Train Safety Ad The Guardian reports a video made by the Australian Metro warning people not to find any "dumb ways to die" around the trains. I don't know how effective it will be but it made me laugh a lot with their run-down of hypothetical Darwin-award-winning behaviour. Please watch: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/vide...s-to-die-video

29th November 2012, 07:45 AM	#4
The Don Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cymru Posts: 8,222	The youtube comments remind me of this place, instead of enjoying a cute little cartoon, people are bitching about references to North American animals in an Australian advert

29th November 2012, 08:48 AM	#6
Ryokan Insert something funny here Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Norway Posts: 8,165	That was hilarious..

29th November 2012, 07:11 PM	#9
angrysoba Philosopher Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Osaka, Japan Posts: 8,500	Originally Posted by DGM I didn't really see it as all that funny. I think it's sad there's the need to equate such stupid ways to die with the very real dangers associated with their service. Clever as it maybe, the video is essentially saying "wake-up you morons". Yes, it's saying, "wake up you morons" and it is funny.

29th November 2012, 07:22 PM	#10
rjh01 Gentleman of leisure Tagger Join Date: May 2005 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 17,163	They should have said "so many STUPID ways to die. Dumb means unable to speak. Australia also does not have any grizzly bears. Not to mention rattlesnakes.
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29th November 2012, 07:22 PM	#11
LashL Goddess of Legaltainment™ Administrator Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 26,174	Originally Posted by angrysoba The Guardian reports a video made by the Australian Metro warning people not to find any "dumb ways to die" around the trains. I don't know how effective it will be but it made me laugh a lot with their run-down of hypothetical Darwin-award-winning behaviour. Please watch: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/vide...s-to-die-video Love it. Though now I have an earworm. Grr.
	Last edited by LashL; 29th November 2012 at 07:23 PM. Reason: "though"

29th November 2012, 07:22 PM	#12
lionking In the Peanut Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 29,643	Originally Posted by angrysoba Yes, it's saying, "wake up you morons" and it is funny. Spot on. Sad to say, people in Melbourne die every year by doing stupid things around trains. If you are going to have a public safety ad, it's a pretty good idea you make one people will watch.
	__________________ A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill

29th November 2012, 07:43 PM	#13
Alan Illuminator Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,651	Originally Posted by rjh01 They should have said "so many STUPID ways to die. Dumb means unable to speak. Australia also does not have any grizzly bears. Not to mention rattlesnakes. Tram safety posters have been based around rhino imagery for a while.

29th November 2012, 07:59 PM	#14
megaresp Muse Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In me head Posts: 516	Originally Posted by DGM I didn't really see it as all that funny. I think it's sad there's the need to equate such stupid ways to die with the very real dangers associated with their service. Clever as it maybe, the video is essentially saying "wake-up you morons". Well this is the country that gave the world the 'Drink. Drive. Bloody idiot' campaign. 'Wake-up you morons' is actually toning it down a bit.
	__________________ I've been called a "Big Thinker", but curiously, only by people with a lisp.

29th November 2012, 08:01 PM	#15
megaresp Muse Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In me head Posts: 516	Originally Posted by rjh01 They should have said "so many STUPID ways to die. Dumb means unable to speak. Australia also does not have any grizzly bears. Not to mention rattlesnakes. The word 'dumb' has a colloquial meaning in widespread use throughout the entire English-speaking world. If you're going to be a tedious pedant you could at least have the courtesy to do your homework.
	__________________ I've been called a "Big Thinker", but curiously, only by people with a lisp.

29th November 2012, 08:27 PM	#16
fuelair Cythraul Enfys Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 28,881	Originally Posted by DGM I didn't really see it as all that funny. I think it's sad there's the need to equate such stupid ways to die with the very real dangers associated with their service. Clever as it maybe, the video is essentially saying "wake-up you morons". Why yes, yes it is!!! And I suspect they had a reason or three to think that!!!
fuelair Cythraul Enfys Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 28,881	__________________ There is no problem so great that it cannot be fixed by small explosives carefully placed. Wash this space! We fight for the Lady Babylon!!!

29th November 2012, 08:34 PM	#17
lionking In the Peanut Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 29,643	Originally Posted by fuelair Why yes, yes it is!!! And I suspect they had a reason or three to think that!!! There's nothing much more idiotic than cars driving around level crossing barriers, yet you see it happen regularly. I'll pull up a few you tubes of this happening.
	__________________ A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill

29th November 2012, 08:50 PM	#18
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The other side of your screen Posts: 42,956	In fact, "mute" is the preferred term for someone who is unable to speak, precisely because dumb also means stupid.
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29th November 2012, 08:55 PM	#19
GrouchoMarxist Cowardly insulter of Buddhism Join Date: May 2008 Location: Surly Bonds correctional facility Posts: 939	Originally Posted by CORed I wonder if this was done by an American ad agency. The rattlesnake surprised me a bit, as Australia has no shortage of indigenous venomous snakes. I suppose you could also substitute crocodile for grizzly bear. Set fire to your hair poke a stick at a crocodile I can't put my finger on it, but grizzly bear seems to work better for some reason.
	__________________ I can't believe that having said what I said was interpreted as having been what I said when I said it, because I said it where I said it, when I said it, and who I said it to. Only in America!

29th November 2012, 09:17 PM	#20
angrysoba Philosopher Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Osaka, Japan Posts: 8,500	Originally Posted by rjh01 They should have said "so many STUPID ways to die. Dumb means unable to speak. Australia also does not have any grizzly bears. Not to mention rattlesnakes. So what? There are no lions in Britain. No unicorns, either.

29th November 2012, 09:28 PM	#21
Corsair 115 Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tranquility Base Posts: 8,547	I first saw the video on YouTube about a week ago. Currently has almost 29 million views.
	__________________ "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things not because they are easy, but because they are hard. Because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our abilities and skills, because that challenge is one we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win."

29th November 2012, 09:29 PM	#22
angrysoba Philosopher Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Osaka, Japan Posts: 8,500	Originally Posted by Corsair 115 I first saw the video on YouTube about a week ago. Currently has almost 29 million views. Looks like I'm late to the party once again.

29th November 2012, 09:31 PM	#23
Corsair 115 Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tranquility Base Posts: 8,547	Originally Posted by angrysoba Looks like I'm late to the party once again. You are the first to start a thread about it though. And you did introduce the video to some people who hadn't seen it yet. Both good things in my book.
	__________________ "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things not because they are easy, but because they are hard. Because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our abilities and skills, because that challenge is one we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win."

29th November 2012, 10:06 PM	#24
SUSpilot Muse Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 682	Originally Posted by lionking There's nothing much more idiotic than cars driving around level crossing barriers, yet you see it happen regularly. I'll pull up a few you tubes of this happening. Try being on the locomotive of a 10,000 ton train and watch it. Fortunately, I've never actually seen someone get hit...
SUSpilot Muse Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 682

29th November 2012, 11:18 PM	#25
SezMe post-pre-born Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 16,361	Originally Posted by rjh01 Australia also does not have any grizzly bears. Not to mention rattlesnakes. Dumb ways to die don't just occur in Oz.

29th November 2012, 11:20 PM	#26
Skeptic Ginger formerly skeptigirl Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shifting through paradigms Posts: 40,489	I thought it was great!
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29th November 2012, 11:57 PM	#28
Joey McGee Transcendental Naturalist Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 3,105	Ok a dumb way to die is to fly your plane improperly and decapitate yourself by flying it and landing it upside down. I would have prefered a cartoon about lots of real ways to die, like trying to get something out of an electrical outlet with a butter knife, or making toast while having a bath. ****, those crazy videos they showed us in grade one were more brtual than this! haha
	__________________ How do I know that this is so? By looking!

30th November 2012, 12:18 AM	#29
leftysergeant Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Spanaway WA Posts: 18,613	Originally Posted by CORed I wonder if this was done by an American ad agency. The rattlesnake surprised me a bit, as Australia has no shortage of indigenous venomous snakes. I suppose you could also substitute crocodile for grizzly bear. Not many people could name off the deadly venomous snakes in Australia, but the rattlesnake has been made popular around the world in our movies, so most people know to to get freaky with one.
	__________________ No civilization ever collapsed because the poor had too much to eat.

30th November 2012, 12:28 AM	#30
lionking In the Peanut Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 29,643	To answer CORed's question above, it was an Australian advertising company responsible for some iconic Australian ads since the 60s (including "Louie the Fly" for the aged Aussies who might be here). And believe it or not, we have heard of rattle snakes and grizzly bears. Fancy that.
	__________________ A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill

30th November 2012, 02:01 AM	#31
The Don Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cymru Posts: 8,222	The damn song kept going through my mind as I was chopping kindling this morning. My woodsman skills are shaky at best and it quite but me off my stroke. Chop you leg off with an axe.... ...so you can't run when a badger attacks

30th November 2012, 02:27 AM	#32
cwalner Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Deepest Darkest Indiana Posts: 5,693	Originally Posted by leftysergeant Not many people could name off the deadly venomous snakes in Australia, but the rattlesnake has been made popular around the world in our movies, so most people know to to get freaky with one. That has got to be one of the most ridiculous reasons mentioned. While technically true, since most people (in the world) do not live in Australia. I would still expect most adult Australians to know the natural dangers of their own country. Originally Posted by lionking To answer CORed's question above, it was an Australian advertising company responsible for some iconic Australian ads since the 60s (including "Louie the Fly" for the aged Aussies who might be here). And believe it or not, we have heard of rattle snakes and grizzly bears. Fancy that. That's impossible. Australia is on the opposite side of the world from the US. In order for you guys to have such widespread knowledge of Americana there would have to some sort of way for instant communication between the countries, like some globe spanning lattice of tubes. I think not!!
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30th November 2012, 02:36 AM	#33
lionking In the Peanut Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 29,643	Originally Posted by cwalner That has got to be one of the most ridiculous reasons mentioned. While technically true, since most people (in the world) do not live in Australia. I would still expect most adult Australians to know the natural dangers of their own country. Too right cobber! Fact is, I have animals just over my back fence that can kill me. I've killed three Eastern Brown Snakes in my time (yeah, yeah, I know they're protected). "Eastern Brown Snake" wouldn't quite scan as well as rattlesnake.
	__________________ A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill

30th November 2012, 03:51 AM	#35
anglolawyer Illuminator Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: surrey, england Posts: 3,162	Originally Posted by angrysoba So what? There are no lions in Britain. No unicorns, either. Yes there are.

30th November 2012, 03:58 AM	#36
anglolawyer Illuminator Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: surrey, england Posts: 3,162	I think some here may be missing the point of the Ad, so I am going to explain it. Up until the railway deaths, the others are all so completely crazy they make you laugh. It's their craziness that matters, not their Aussieness (the Aussies don't have a manned space programme, as well as not having rattlesnakes or grizzlies but the population has probably heard of all these things). Then you come to three much more realistic types of folly associated with the railways and it juxtaposes those things with the fantasy ones, thus saying: 'you laughed, right? But this is what people really do on our railways! Can you believe it? Don't be one of them.' [/patronising lecture]
	Last edited by anglolawyer; 30th November 2012 at 03:59 AM. Reason: Wanted to say 'juxtapose'

30th November 2012, 04:01 AM	#37
lionking In the Peanut Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 29,643	Well said anglolawyer. The important thing is that needless deaths on railways has been exposed.
	__________________ A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill