Episode #18: A Logo Is Worth 1000 Stupid Words - 10/7/05

Thanks for joining us on another episode of When The Internet Attacks!. These messages were all received while doing work for Rogue Amoeba, and today, the responses are exactly what was sent back in our replies. This episode centers around Rogue Amoeba's loveable mascot, Ammo the Amoeba.

Email #1: America, Number #1! (Dated 7/3/2003)

This first email came to us way back in July of 2003, a few months after the start of the war in Iraq. I believe the response is still appropriate today.

Hello,
In view of current world events, is it possible to replace the weapon your "giant gun-toting amoeba" (AK-47 or some derivitave) with a US made device, probably an M-16 or M-4? Maybe even update his bandanna with a US flag?

Patty G.

Reply To Email #1

Patty,
Actually, we were considering giving him a magnifying glass, so he could aid in the search for weapons of mass destruction.

-Paul

Email #2: Won't Somebody Please Think Of The Children?

I'm probably not the first person to comment about your logo. I ran a small survey and found that 5 out of 6 people thought it was funny and/or acceptable. I don't, not in today's violence-ridden world. This is proof that people have come to accept this sort of behavior/image. It's my opinion that a company, as a visible member of society, has a responsibility to the people and should not contribute to the growing problem.

I'm not going to ask that you change your logo. I just wanted you to know that your choice of logo affects some people in a negative way...something you may not want. I'd be very impressed to see you respond to customer comments.

Yours Sincerely,
Rudolph Grey

Reply To Email #2

Rudolph,
We respond to each and every email we get. We won't be changing our logo, however - it's fun, it's different, and most important, it's attention-grabbing.

What specifically do you see as the problem that we're contributing to? I can accept the answer of "Amoeba-related violence" but beyond that, I don't really see that a cartoon amoeba with a gun is doing much harm. Guns exist, but a spoof of Rambo in amoeba form isn't increasing the number of guns or violence in the world. Nor would changing the logo decrease the number of guns in the world.

-Paul

We never heard back from Rudolph, and my bet is that he was one of the 6 people surveyed. If 5 out of 6 people like our logo, I say great.

Item #3: Internet Chat Is Where It's At

The following conversation recently took place in #macdev, a Macintosh Development IRC (Internet Relay Chat) channel. IRC is the method Rogue Amoeba uses to get everyone together for our virtual office in #ra, and we also discuss various topics related to software development in other channels. Mike is Mike Ash, Rogue Amoeba's first employee and I am of course your host, Paul. Everyone else? Those are people who need something to do.

David: BTW, i really like the name rogue amoeba
David: but i don't like the little mascot guy
David: he's holding his gun all wrong
David: it drives me nuts
Mike: why do you think an amoeba would hold a gun in the exact same fashion as a human?
David: he wears his bandanna right
David: if you are firing from the hip, you'll reach over the stock.. if you are firing it correctly, the butt is in your shoulder
David: i guess if you were firing over a wall, down onto something below, you could hold the pistol grip from below
David: but it just looks uncomfortable.
David: of corse, if it were a rocket launcher..
David: then over shoulder is fine.. and clear the back blast area too.
Mike: you are putting way too much thought into this
hennker: good that at least amoebas don't know how to fire weapons ;)
David: well I hadn't really analyzed it before
David: it's just always looked funny.
David: but now I did.
David: but then if an amoeba is going to have an arm, i guess it can have it be anywhere
Mike: seriously, it's a mascot, we sell stuffed versions of him, it's not intended to be accurate :P
Paul: wow...
Dan: there's no way he can aim that rifle if he's firing it like that
David: Dan: exactly.. and if you are going to go all gangsta and fire from the hip.. you reach over the stock, not under
David: your wrist dosn't bend that way
Dan: yeah, that would be killer
Paul: apparently, half of #macdev is expertly trained in the use of amoeba-sized weapons
Mike: maybe we can have them come to the office and train Ammo
Paul: in a strange coincidence, half of #macdev are morons too
Mike: only half?
Paul: a fair point

Closing: Fan Mail
Hey Man,

Just a quick email to tell you that although I'm not going to shower you with CD's and gifts with any hidden meanings, I absolutly love your pbones.com website. I have just spent the last 30 minutes laughing harder than anything else! When the internet attacks is pure gold!

Hope to hear back from you, Matt B. Thanks for your support Matt! Matt looks to be a fan of the whole site, but if he's like most people, this show is among his favorite parts. I'm not sure what hidden meanings he'd be imparting with a gift, but perhaps it's better not to ask.

Anyhow, that's all for now. Until next time, don't spend too much of your time thinking about how others waste so much of their own. Do be sure to join us next time on When The Internet Attacks!.