Ahhh...the power of suggestion...

June 7, 2002 12:20 PM

Ahhh...the power of suggestion... The Japanese have proven once again that even the best marketing campaigns are weak compared to a good fad--no matter how ludicrous the claim. But instead of Pokemon and Aibo's, all the Japanese are after now are everyday electrons...or are they?
posted by LuxFX (10 comments total)

I worked for three years in a small office with no windows, where I had a large-size negative ion fountain going all day, two feet or so from my face. I treated it as a personal experiment to test the effects of long-term negative ionization. I can't say that it ever did me a darned bit of discernable good or ill. I have since found that if you really want the jackpot of relaxation and well-being promised by negative ion promotors, simply begin a daily 30-minute regimen of vigorous aerobic exercise and water drinking. The effect on your mood, mind, and spirit is spectacular. You'll quite smoking, stop drinking alcohol, and eat less. As another alternative, you could visit the single most stimulating spot on the North American continent: Niagara Falls... up close, facing away from the crowds and staring into the mist.
posted by Faze at 12:56 PM on June 7, 2002

I remember looking at an online catalog for some high-priced gadget/gift store (can't remember the name) and every third item had "ionic" in the name. My friends and I were killing ourself laughing at adding "ionic" to the regular items names and trying to think how the ions would be utilised:

"Ionic Pet Litter Box" (neutralizes the odor ions!)
"Ionic Stereo Speaker" (sounds are crisper and cleaner!)
"Ionic Coat Rack" (keeps your coats fresh and clean!)
"Ionic Flashlight" (illuminates objects 45% more! and cleans them while illuminating on them!)

I do remember that if it DID actually have "ionic" in the name that it seemed to cost 20% more than what a regular version of the item should normally cost.

I get the feeling that this is right up there with selling magnets as a joint/muscle healing device. If you can't prove it DOESN'T help, then it MUST help.
posted by grum@work at 1:08 PM on June 7, 2002

I seem to remember getting a bunch of spam years and years ago that claimed I needed some negative ion-generating appliance they were selling in order to counteract the supposedly depressing and deleterious effects of being around computers and monitors too much. They may have cited too many positive ions emitted by such electronic devices, but I don't remeber for sure.

It's all foolish. But no more so than homeopathy, herbal medicine, alternative medicine, clairvoyance, voodoo, most religions, your pet superstition, etc.

And people still think ancient civilizations were odd for their mythology. Perhaps people haven't come so far as they'd like to believe. I wonder if most of us would still be praying to oddly shaped rocks and such if not for the slow but inexorable progress of the few who are in love with reality.
posted by tirade at 1:37 PM on June 7, 2002

Hey, oddly-shaped rocks are cool. I'll take them over invisible grandfathers any day.
posted by rushmc at 2:39 PM on June 7, 2002

It's all foolish. But no more so than homeopathy, herbal medicine...

Because unless a chemical is created in a laboratory, it can't possibly have any effect on your health.
posted by Eamon at 3:20 PM on June 7, 2002

"Ionic Pet Litter Box" (neutralizes the odor ions!)

Close.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 3:57 PM on June 7, 2002

Because unless a chemical is created in a laboratory, it can't possibly have any effect on your health.

No, no, of course they do. I was referring to the cult of people who believe that simply because culture X used herb Y 3000 years ago for whatever wonderful effect, then of course it does just that, even if the empirical evidence says otherwise. Because the ancient people were wiser than us wayward modern ones. And of course it will work without side effects, because it's a "natural remedy" and not an evil chemical drug.
posted by tirade at 4:33 PM on June 7, 2002

There really is a boom in this stuff. My wife bought an ionizing dog brush, though not from Sharper Image. They are all over the TV shopping channels here, also the ionizing jewelry. Yes, Japan has cheesy TV shopping.
posted by planetkyoto at 5:07 PM on June 7, 2002

It's all foolish. But no more so than homeopathy, herbal medicine...

Because unless a chemical is created in a laboratory, it can't possibly have any effect on your health.

no, milkweed has an effect on your health ;)

and, who knows, my yard grass might cure cancer, but it's unlikely. i'd rather have a lab test my drugs, thanks
posted by rhyax at 6:29 PM on June 7, 2002

Physics isn't my strong point so correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't one of the downsides of an ioniser that it leaves a charge on other objects, thus turning everything around it into a dust magnet?
posted by kerplunk at 7:01 AM on June 9, 2002