As you may or may not know I like my technology.  I also like researching stuff I might buy.  So recently, whilst researching some technology I might buy, I came across this banner on a Taiwanese manufacturer’s website:

Those with too much time on their hands would know that RoHS refers to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive that was introduced recently to eliminate harmful substances (like mercury) from manufactured products, especially tech goods. You would think that having this massive banner at the head of their homepage would put it under some kind of proofreader’s eye. Obviously not. The jury is still out as to what exactly the message is they are trying to get across.

The funny thing about ‘green’ products is sometimes they don’t target their audience particularly well.  Your average tech product buyer just wants the cheapest part for their electricity-guzzling computer.  They couldnt care less about how much lead is in their super-dooper video card, as long as it means they can surf faster porn.  Next time you go into Harvey Norman ask the ’customer service representative’ behind the counter if the 52″ plasma on display is RoHS.  You will be met with a blank stare.  Of course at Harvey Norman you could probably point to said TV and ask ‘Is this a TV?’ and be met with the same blank ignorant stare.

Audience targetting, however, is not always successful.  Take, for instance, the hippy sector.  These people are most likely to buy organic or recycled products by the truckload - the exception, of course, is soap as everyone knows hippies don’t wash.  The one flaw that brings the whole plan down?  Hippies don’t have any money either.

One audience that has been tapped successfully in the past by unorthodox products is the beer-drinking public.  Years ago ‘low-carb’ beers would have been scoffed at by your typical aussie bloke.  But now they realise that they can show females they are concerned about looking after themselves and that they are a sensitive new age guy whilst drinking beer.  Like they needed an excuse before.

But is the average beer-drinker concerned about the environment?  Cascade seems to think so by releasing a ‘Green Beer’.  Not the kind that you buy on Paddy’s day but one that is ‘fully carbon offset’ from manufacture to disposal.  (It’s not clear from the advertising if they have taken into account methane-excretion by the user.)  Despite their well-intentioned goal, i.e. selling more beer, I couldn’t help but notice an error in their advertising material:

Shouldn’t it read “Beer of an Earth”???

Beer of an Earth … brilliant! lol

I too would like to know if they account for our emissions produced from drinking said beer.. After all; i’ve done some farts after nights on the amber ale that wake me from deep slumber. And, as those who know me will attest, i drink ALOT. Perhaps Einstein was very much ahead of his time?

E=Mc2 where;

E= Emissions
M= My Colon (cm cubed)
C= Cascade Green

Hmm, lets ponder that some more over a beer.