The Fun Theory

Ghoulish Delight · 10-26-2009, 01:39 PM

Volkswagen has been commissioning a bit of viral marketing in the form of some installations under the theme, "Can we influence people to make 'better' choices by making things fun." They're calling it the "Fun Thoery" (Rolighetsteorin).

The World's Deepest Recycle Bin

Bottle Bank Arcade

Piano Stairs

alphabassettgrrl · 10-26-2009, 02:17 PM

I didn't get the sound to work, but I do agree with their premise that people will do more of the things that are fun. I wonder how long the thrill lasts, though, and if the fun factor wears off over time.

Will people continue to take the piano stairs after a couple of weeks of regular commuting? Hard to say. Maybe.

Ghoulish Delight · 10-26-2009, 02:37 PM

I don't think the intent was to prove that these particular ideas had any sort of lasting formative power. Simply that the general concept of fun is an effective motivational force, regardless of the particular implementation aside.

innerSpaceman · 10-26-2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphabassettgrrl

I wonder how long the thrill lasts, though, and if the fun factor wears off over time.

My curmudgeonly thought as well. The fun would have to be revised at least monthly or the behaviors will resort to lazy idiocy.

I also don't think it's worthy of any sort of genius award to realize that fun motives people. I think it's a brilliant piece of advertising, however, proving another genius theory: Money motivates people even more than fun.

SzczerbiakManiac · 10-26-2009, 02:43 PM

I think both of the recycling ideas have the potential for long term popularity. I think the stairs will soon be avoided (if not shunned) due to the cacophony of multiple climbers outweighing the novelty.

innerSpaceman · 10-26-2009, 02:43 PM

was that a pun?

Moonliner · 10-26-2009, 02:52 PM

Why does the term "viral markering" come to mind? How long before this "fun theory" is related to VW's cars?

Ghoulish Delight · 10-26-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonliner

Why does the term "viral markering" come to mind? How long before this "fun theory" is related to VW's cars?

Umm, perhaps because A) They've made no secret that it's part of a viral marketing campaign, and B) the term "viral marketing" is in my OP. Just a wild guess.

SzczerbiakManiac · 10-26-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SzczerbiakManiac

I think both of the recycling ideas have the potential for long term popularity. I think the stairs will soon be avoided (if not shunned) due to the cacophony of multiple climbers outweighing the novelty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

was that a pun?

Were you asking me? If so, what was the pun you're asking about? I'm confused.

Ghoulish Delight · 10-26-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SzczerbiakManiac

Were you asking me? If so, what was the pun you're asking about? I'm confused.

I believe he's referring to "outweighing", in that the idea behind the piano stairs was to get people to choose the stairs, for their health.

10-26-2009, 01:39 PM	#1
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	The Fun Theory Volkswagen has been commissioning a bit of viral marketing in the form of some installations under the theme, "Can we influence people to make 'better' choices by making things fun." They're calling it the "Fun Thoery" (Rolighetsteorin). The World's Deepest Recycle Bin Bottle Bank Arcade Piano Stairs __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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10-26-2009, 02:17 PM	#2
alphabassettgrrl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,978	I didn't get the sound to work, but I do agree with their premise that people will do more of the things that are fun. I wonder how long the thrill lasts, though, and if the fun factor wears off over time. Will people continue to take the piano stairs after a couple of weeks of regular commuting? Hard to say. Maybe. __________________ Why cycling? Anything [sport] that had to do with a ball, I wasn't very good at. -Lance Armstrong
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10-26-2009, 02:37 PM	#3
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	I don't think the intent was to prove that these particular ideas had any sort of lasting formative power. Simply that the general concept of fun is an effective motivational force, regardless of the particular implementation aside. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ Last edited by Ghoulish Delight : 10-26-2009 at 02:50 PM.
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10-26-2009, 02:43 PM	#5
SzczerbiakManiac "ZER-bee-ak" Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,409	I think both of the recycling ideas have the potential for long term popularity. I think the stairs will soon be avoided (if not shunned) due to the cacophony of multiple climbers outweighing the novelty. __________________
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10-26-2009, 02:43 PM	#6
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	was that a pun?
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10-26-2009, 02:52 PM	#7
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	Why does the term "viral markering" come to mind? How long before this "fun theory" is related to VW's cars? __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
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