Ian Bogost of Kotaku has written a not so healthy review of Kaiser Permanente’s much hyped new health game for kids, the Incredible Adventures of the Amazing Food Detective. It’s nice to know we’re not the only ones who recognize Kaiser PRBS? when we see it:
Kaiser is a big company with a lot of money, and it’s good that they are seeing value in games and choosing to invest in them. But they are trying to buy legitimacy they have not earned. As Spider-Man would say, with great power comes great responsibility. This game is not education and it’s certainly not health advocacy. It’s unadulterated and nefarious public relations. If you use it for anything, use Amazing Food Detective to teach your kids how corporations vie to buy their attention, not to teach them to eat carrots instead of potato chips.
Well said, Ian.
If you can stand it, read the full review for more about how Kaiser’s PR pushers have been cramming the Brand Baloney — disguised as a video game — down the throats of America’s children.
Note to Kaiser: Perhaps you misunderstand what critics mean when we call for more transparency at KP? What we don’t want is another transparent attempt to manipulate public perception. What we do want is more honesty and openness, and less ulterior motive behind everything you say and do. Hope we were able to clear that up.
Enough of the games, how about some real honest to goodness action aimed in the right direction!
What’s more important? PR/public perception or saving lives?
I’d sure like to see more transparency myself. My family was fooled too and we caught on entirely too late. Just in time to realize that our lives had been ruined.
Augh, I regret that typo.
What typo? 😉
“…but they are trying to buy legitimacy they have not earned. As Spider-Man would say, with great power comes great responsibility.”
I know one fourth grader FOR SURE, whose trust kaiser will not be buying. We can’t even stand the phony television ads.
@Admin
Thanks 🙂
Interesting site. I’m browsing around now. Thanks for reading too.
I have a new friend whose wife was killed by Kaiser Roseville. Please email me for his phone number/email address.
Here’s another story… the quotes in this one are painfully familiar.
http://www.mddailyrecord.com/article.cfm?id=3540&type=UTTM
?You don?t go to Kaiser to die,? said Christian A. Lodowski, the plaintiffs? lawyer. ?Mrs. Williams relied upon the wrong people to do the right thing. Kaiser just blew it.? (my words exactly regarding my own family tragedy)
“Lodowski said the case is the worst his medical expert has seen in 20 years.”
?For that doctor to not think and do something is just so far below the standard,? Lodowski said.
?You have to take patients as they come,? he said. EXACTLY.
NOW is it clear how criminal this HMO really is?