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Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

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Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#41

Post by honestcoyote »

kordless wrote: post #8

In Buddhism, nothingness or emptiness is actually a "thing".

When I had a brief interest in Buddhism, I looked into the local zen center. Which had a convenient list of prices. Quite high prices as I remember.

The Cards Against Humanity people are selling nothingness at a comparative bargain. Could almost be one of those old zen stories:

"Give me 5 dollars and you'll get nothing."

"Ok! 5 bucks right here. Wait! Why are you walking away? Where is it?"

"Your money was always surrounded by nothing. You gave me the money and nothing remained."

At that moment, the mark was enlightened.

Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#42

Post by systoll »

ecesena wrote: post #5

Isn't this either very border line or even illegal in the US (genuinely asking)? - I thought every contract between 2 parties required an exchange of something, so money can't be traded for nothing, but maybe I'm wrong. Edit: getting downvoted, not sure why, explanation would be helpful

There is no contract -- no binding agreement saying the donor will give CAH money, and CAH will give them nothing.

But that just means contract law doesn't apply -- it doesn't make it illegal.

So long as there is no misrepresentation on the part of CAH they're in thoroughly legal waters. It's just a donation drive.

Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#43

Post by joeld42 »

They are selling an experience and a story to tell. $5 and you have a funny story to tell when CaH comes in in conversation. It also makes you part of a group of "ironic" CaH customers. Similar to buying prestige by buying a luxury good when there is a cheaper equivalent.

Marketing today is all about identity, authenticity and defining oneself.

Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#45

Post by lips »

Totally baffled at any/all articles and discussion of this by anyone who's familiar with their modus operandi. It's CaH. Either they're going to donate it, or do something awwbsurdacomical, and all they need is your name and email to keep you in the loop as the black frijinx ensue. Yadda yadda.

Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#46

Post by will_pseudonym »

joeld42 wrote: post #43

They are selling an experience and a story to tell. $5 and you have a funny story to tell when CaH comes in in conversation. It also makes you part of a group of "ironic" CaH customers. Similar to buying prestige by buying a luxury good when there is a cheaper equivalent. Marketing today is all about identity, authenticity and defining oneself.

Today? It's been that way for the better part of a century.

Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#47

Post by ecesena »

landryraccoon wrote: post #33
ecesena wrote: post #5

Isn't this either very border line or even illegal in the US (genuinely asking)? - I thought every contract between 2 parties required an exchange of something, so money can't be traded for nothing, but maybe I'm wrong. Edit: getting downvoted, not sure why, explanation would be helpful

If that's true, why is Kickstarter legal?

Kickstarter is different because you usually get something in return, and this was the essence of my original question. Anyway, I think gift is the answer, which I didn't know.

Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#48

Post by ssully »

noobermin wrote: post #40
bpicolo wrote: post #14

Cards against Humanity has great marketing team, but I'm still pretty sure people are buying in because they think there's a chance they're getting something still. There was that time recently that cards against humanity sold a box of literal bull shit, and then people were disappointed when they got just literal bull shit.

They definitely are selling off of their fame (or notoriety) here. I could go out to the main street today and say "Hi all! I'm selling nothing for $5!" and I'd get nothing because I'm not Cards Against Humanity. They must be living the Millenialist dream, get money for literally (not figuratively at all) doing nothing but asking for it.

I didn't buy into this, but honestly wouldn't feel bad for doing so. The people behind CAH donate a large amount of their money to charity and recently started a scholarship for woman in sciences.

In fact the last stunt they did like this involved selling literal bullshit to people. After the campaign ended they announced all profits from it went to a charity.

Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#49

Post by Scoundreller »

chipperyman573 wrote: post #20
Scoundreller wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It just means the buyers could easily get a refund. It's not illegal. Similarly, technically minors can't enter into commercial contracts except for life necessities. So if an <18 buys a car, they could return it whenever they want. Whether they'd have to pay something for its use/damage is debatable.

>So if an Can you go more into detail on that or tell me what law says that? Does that mean I (17/US) could walk into Walmart, buy a shirt, wear it for 6 months and expect a full refund?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacity_(law) It's a very general legal principle, so how it applies varies jurisdiction to jurisdiction (and probably case by case since it may not be codified clearly). Look under infancy, and minors and contractual capacity.

Chances are, a dealership won't sell a car to someone <18 for this reason. Used car/private sellers are taking a big chance if they do.

Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#50

Post by UnoriginalGuy »

giarc wrote: post #35
bpicolo wrote: post #14

Cards against Humanity has great marketing team, but I'm still pretty sure people are buying in because they think there's a chance they're getting something still. There was that time recently that cards against humanity sold a box of literal bull shit, and then people were disappointed when they got just literal bull shit.

>If I give you $5, what are you going to do with the money? That’s for us to know and you to find out. We’ll make the announcement soon. This might be throwing people off. My guess is they are going to make some charitable donation.

It is extremely similar to John Oliver's Last Week Tonight spoof religion "Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption" for which they asked for cash donations for essentially nothing in return (and then donated the proceeds to charity).

Which kinda-sorta follows on from Colbert Super PAC which asked for donations to a Super PAC which did essentially nothing and then they too donated it.

CAH are in their right to do "whatever" with the money, but it wouldn't shock me if they donated it.

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