Smashing Launch Consoles: Pure Genius or Plain Stupidity

It seems as though there is a trend happening every time a new console is released. This trend is to pretty much stand in queue for hours on end, sometimes even days, pay a massive price for your shiny new console, and then smash the living hell out of it in front of a large crowd.

[wtopez]

It's a combination of both. As in Pure Stupidity.

[0ut1awed]

Edit:Jesus christ, can no one on N4G read anything throughly with critical thinking before coming to judgment, you know like a civilized human being?

I clearly stated I was NOT agreeing with it. I was just showing the reason why the people do it that everyone else seems to completley miss.

---------

The irony is that the "pure stupidty" usually falls on the viewers pointing the fingers while they are actually paying them for smashing it.

The author of this article and most people like yourself remain completley oblvious to their true reasoning. Do you realize how much money these guys make in monetization from the videos? It's definatly much more than they paid for the system.

Also this isn't something that happens for just console launches. It happens when pretty much any electronic piece of equipment launches.

Disagree away N4G. It's not an opinion and I'm not saying I agree with it. I'm simply stating a fact. Gavin (from Slo mo guys and Rooster Teeth) staright up said that he makes his money back minuets after posting a video of destroying something like a system.

[_FantasmA_]

Its still stupid. Why not donate it to an after school club, a day care center, the library, etc. Or give to a kid whose parents can't afford it. It shouldnt be about the money.

[Ezz2013]

seeing stuff like this piss me off alot though
if i buy a console that i don't need
i would give it for a someone who don't have money to buy it
instead of smashing it so i can look cool

people work hard to build those consoles only to see them get smashed for no reason

[TheFutureIsBlue]

@0ut1awed

Just because they make a lot of money doing this doesn't make them a genius. That is like saying "Anyone that robs a bank is smart as f*ck! Look at all that money they got away with!" Seems to me like you see any way to make extra money, be it right or wrong, is fine. Are you that guy at work that likes to kiss a$$?

[0ut1awed]

@TheFutureIsBlue

Read man, read. I edited in some info above for the people that have trouble with it.

I don't remember ever saying I condoned it or called them a genius. I'm not sure where you are getting that from.

[TheFutureIsBlue]

@0ut1awed

"The irony is that the "pure stupidty" usually falls on the viewers pointing the fingers while they are actually paying them for smashing it.

The author of this article and most people like yourself remain completley oblvious to their true reasoning. Do you realize how much money these guys make in monetization from the videos? It's definatly much more than they paid for the system."

You just called everyone that is "pointing fingers" stupid. As in you agree that these people are smart for making said video because they make a lot of money from them. That is what I'm reading and everyone who disagrees reads from your comment.

[0ut1awed]

@TheFuture

You're right, I kind of did.

"Hey that's fucked up. You shouldn't do that!!! Screw that guy!", which is all said while they are watching the video, therefore giving them money.

I'm sorry, I just don't know if there is anything more considerate to call that other than "stupid".

Also since when does stupid and smart directly relate to morals? In this situation isn't it clear who the smarter one is from the strictly stupid/smart point of view? Again please don't confuse that with me condoning it. It's just that people are mixing apples with oranges here.

[SpinalRemains138]

No, we know exactly why they do it.

The truth is, you just realized why and now you're acting holier than thou.

Stop

[stuna1]

I'd say stupidity! If they didn't want it, I would have gladly taken it off their hands.

[malokevi]

It's something people do! They do it with Iphones, they have done it with consoles for as long as I can remember... who cares? Lighten up! If you don't want people to smash things, discover their plans and then murk them in their sleep before launch date.

They paid for it, they can do whatever they want with it. Life, it's a funny little thing, aint it?

[3-4-5]

If your going to burn $400 why not just buy somebody in need, $400 worth of groceries instead?

[Transporter47]

Just stupidity. Someone that would want that console would benefit more then someone getting it to smash it.

[admiralvic]

Stupidity? Not true, per se.
Needlessly destructive? Yup.

Many people do this to piss people off at the location and upload it to YT or another network to cash in on revenue. In all reality, the really stupid people, are those that watch and support such actions. If no one cared that these people were being stupid, then they would be out a system, $400+ dollars and look like a total fool. Instead, they can break even and ruin peoples day by doing something "stupid" without really risking anything.

[Transporter47]

Money =/= Genius. I do not watch or support these actions btw. Did not click link or watched the video.

[Scatpants]

Depends on how many views it gets you. If you can get enough views that you would make more than the cost of the console then it's genius

[WPX]

Well... Definitely I DO NOT find wasting $300($350 a year ago), $400 or $500 just for a few minutes of laughs as pure genius. Some people work hard to save that kind of money you know. If I am in a line and witness that, I'll admit that I'll get a good chuckle but it will be followed by a classic "what a moron!".

[SaffronCurse]

I think it's a waste. There are people out there who want the system.

[Mikelarry]

how can it be genius to stand in a queue for x amount, pay premium for a product and then smash it. there is nothing genius about that its plain stupidity for a little bit of attention as if you didn't care you could taken it home and smashed it in your backyard where no-one will see or care what you are doing.

[TheFutureIsBlue]

A person goes out and spends 400-500$ on something and then breaks it. Going by the definition of genius this person is the opposite. It's sad that a lot of people that break them look like kids, too. Makes me wonder where they get the extra $.

[admiralvic]

A lot of these people try to make it back via ad revenue and crowd funding. In that sense, they're "genius", though it's all pointlessly destructive.

[Yodagamer]

Stupid in that it's a waste and genius in that the bigger videos will end up making them money.

[ziggurcat]

it's purely plain stupidity.

[kB0]

It's genius to think that this is plain stupidity.

[OrangePowerz]

It's very sad, given that there are people who might want a console, but can't get one for whatever reason and people just break them on purpose.

[GrandpaSnake]

videos?

[Phoenix76]

Here in the UK that sort of thing happens all the time with University kids, who are all for anti-capitializem, whilst live of the endless cash flow form mummy and daddy who got extremely rich through capitializem!

We call people like that Liberal Democrats ;)

[Thepcz]

what if you buy a new ferrari 2013 and drive it off a cliff. with nobody inside. as long as you video it, its not a waste- its entertainment.

or i suppose the point is entertainment, or some political point. either way, i think its a waste.

[tigertron]

Breaking a new console for the sake of attention is pathetic. Those people could have donated it to a children's home or something.

[Ashunderfire86]

Its pure stupidity like this guy!

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Nothing survived, not even the controller! I guess he doesn't know that many of these consoles and electronics was made by China's college students, who are forced to make these things. If they refused then they don't get a college degree. Just imagine if our government did the same crap to us for the benefit for other people. Then dumbasses like him will understand.

[jujubee88]

It's funny as hell. Especially if they are blue collar, not at all rich, nor have special advantages that got them that expensive thing.

[SpinalRemains138]

Everything about it is awful. In a free country with free enterprise though, smash away.

I just always think about some poor kid who would love the videogame.

[Ashunderfire86]

Also think about the people force to make it.

[jay2]

Well deals with other heating issues I guess..........

[Aleithian]

Idiocy. It's been done for years and no longer shocks. It's lost its novelty value.

[PurpHerbison]

It never shocked.

[PurpHerbison]

Different strokes for different folks. Nothing to see here.