Five things worth sharing from the last week or so, brought to you by a different member of the Browser Media team every Friday.
This week’s My Five is by Vic.
1. One hundred thousand euro Google AdWords bill
Some poor kid from Spain must have had the fright of his life after he was presented with a bill for an 100,000 euro ad spend on Google.
He was under the impression that the ads would earn him money and help promote his brass band website, when in fact, he was making mega bucks for Google.
Google have confirmed that they won’t make him pay though, stating:
“It was all a mistake and that he did it without thinking. A 12-year-old boy doesn’t want to start spending 100,000 euros.”
2. Two Twitter fails
To kick off the week, Southern Rail invited commuters to have a right go at their staff and the union supporting them in an attempt to shift the blame for the rubbish service they consistently provide. As well as a double page ad in the Metro, they also took to Twitter using the hashtag #SouthernBackOnTrack – which predictably did not get the response they were looking for…
Time to get back on track. Tweet @RMTunion & tell them how rail strikes make you feel. https://t.co/IVaRAGBBSV #SouthernBackOnTrack pic.twitter.com/lpBcXs9K5f
— Southern (@SouthernRailUK) October 3, 2016
@RMTunion outlandish propaganda printed in Metro this morning. Waste of my money. #SouthernBackOnTrack pic.twitter.com/NkDTmx7Vbk
— Matt D. (@mattydavis) October 3, 2016
Imagine thinking it’s ok to launch a campaign asking people to harass your own staff. Classy @SouthernRailUK #SouthernBackOnTrack @RMTunion
— Katie Shaw (@sewdarngood) October 3, 2016
Following that train wreck, came a confusing Tweet from Greater Manchester Police:
What’s she hiding? pic.twitter.com/6NdpRZsWSa
— G M Police (@gmpolice) October 5, 2016
The Tweet made people ponder ‘what could be in that handbag?’
There are some brilliant responses here – but it turns out they weren’t done yet. On Thursday they posted a follow up Tweet with the hashtag #GirlsAgainstGuns with some make up and other stereotypical stuff they assume ladies carry in their handbag laid in out the shape of a gun. There is even a tampon representing the bullet. Edgy.
Lots of you tried to guess what was in our bag yesterday. Here’s another clue… stay tuned, all will be revealed tomorrow! #GirlsAgainstGuns pic.twitter.com/RFhwwGq4oo
— G M Police (@gmpolice) October 6, 2016
Today, they revealed that the reason behind the campaign was to get women to grass up the men in their life if they are involved in gun crime, which once again, did not go down very well, with people calling the campaign sexist and pointing out that no woman in their right mind puts an eyeshadow pallet without a lid into their handbag.
Is your brother, boyfriend or son involved in gun crime? Talk to us. #GirlsAgainstGuns https://t.co/tw1U13DwqN pic.twitter.com/Z6PIJLnANq
— G M Police (@gmpolice) October 7, 2016
3. World War III speculation
According to US military chiefs, war between the United States and Russia or China is ‘almost guaranteed’ at some point in the future, but that it would be quick.
What he means by ‘quick’ is not entirely clear, but I’m hoping nobody is planning on nuking anyone else any time soon. If Trump wins the presidential election though, who knows!
Sounds like Russia are already getting all their scary ducks in a row:
4. 4Chan might be shutting down
4Chan has recently celebrated its 13th year online, but it wasn’t the happy time you’d expect. The very next day, the site’s owner, Hiroyuki Nishimura, posted a thread titled, “Winter is coming” where he briefly explains that 4Chan is running out of money.
4Chan has come under a lot of criticism for some of the boards and content that users have published, so there will be plenty of people that would be pleased to see it go. But let’s not forget, amongst all the racism, sexism and naked celebrity photos, 4Chan also created some memorable internet moments, including LOLcats and Rickrolling.
More excellent NSFW 4Chan awesomeness here.
5. 5 things you may not know about the new Google Pixel
Amazing facts you may have missed about Google Pixel – the best thing since sliced bread, apparently.
