Inspiring. Thank you Gerard. I needed that.

Very nice, wonderful ad. I think I'll get them to polish my on line dating profile.

Lovely.

Wasn't just an ad...

I remember this as an experiment in NYC several decades ago. The control was a person with the words "I'm blind", while the experiment was the same circumstances and the words "It's springtime and I'm blind". The test was how much money would be collected, and the difference was very substantial.

What intrigued me about the experiment was how much the blind man collected with the "I'm blind" wording. It was a lot of dough.

Am I the only one who doesn't like this video?

My compassionate side certainly understands those who are blind have challenges in life. But it seems to me the video's message is to demonstrate a better way to market your victim status in order maximize returns.

I understand the man and the event are staged for YouTube, but pretend for a moment that the scenario and circumstances are real...

The perverse reward of additional income will be that he is more likely to sit out there day after day as a 'victim' and, as the funds inevitably begin to taper off, endeavor only to increase his victim status through additional creative marketing tricks.

Some life, huh?

There is something very perverse in our culture when the masses routinely elevate the victim to high status, based only on the fact that he/she has earned our (temporary) compassion due to circumstances.

This looks like an english remake of a european version of the same skit that I saw several years ago on YouTube. I wonder how many times it has been redone? Not that I'm complaining, mind you.

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can NEVER harm me. We would do well as a society to fix this ethos firmly in our minds.

@ Max

You sir, make an incredibly intelligent, thought provoking argument. Bravo! My best friend has been confined to a wheelchair for the last 37 years as a double amputee, and he would as soon smack you, as let you give him an OUNCE of pity.