While I usually ignore and skip YouTube ads as quickly as possible, the one I just saw was too ridiculous(ly offensive) to not skip.
Well, at least until “Ben” complained about how frequently he gets “friend-zoned”.
What hooked me on this video was the absurd claim that “Ben” was going to use science to oppress pick up women.
Going to the website (which I won’t link to, Google Pandora’s Box) we find the following disclaimer:
I agree to use the techniques in Pandora’s Box ethically and responsibly. Altare Publishing cannot be held liable if I use Pandora’s Box to manipulate, or otherwise psychologically harm any person(s). I understand that Vin is not a Psychologist, and that his advice is not a substitute for psychological advice.
I fully assume all possible risks from Pandora’s Box and release Altare Publishing from all liability. I understand that talking to women by nature carries a risk of rejection. I understand that using the Pandora’s Box System will greatly reduce the risk of rejection, but with any dating educational program, the risk of rejection can never totally be eliminated.
What annoys me even more is that this ad was in front of a legitimate science video, which means other science-curious people (likely only those listed as male by their Google profile) will be exposed to this shit.
The site lists a page of references to papers and textbooks on psychology to support its “science” but to me this is no more scientific than other immoral and unethical abuses of science like eugenics.
