Ok first off, why do people keep acting like it is so easy for Nintendo to pump out systems? It takes a loooooooooooong time to make, compile, package, ship, and sell all those systems. WAY longer than anyone seems to understand, because I've seen nothing but whining all over the 'net from people acting like Nintendo can make these things in a matter of seconds. True, they could have opened up another factory for production, but I imagine they have to be somewhat cautious right now, especially considering all the talk I see about "well the Wii has no worthwhile games for the first half of the year, being ripe for the usual Nintendo drought." Even if they scaled up production, we wouldn't see evidence of that for a few weeks - if not months - anyway, so it isn't going to help the situation.
It doesn't help that they obviously didn't plan for this kind of thing to happen, because they just had to recently raise their predictions for sales.
Nintendo has absolutely nothing to do with this any more than the people getting shot over the PS3 did for Sony. That's hysteria on the part outside of their realm of power and coercion. Does this mean they shouldn't care? No, but there's a HUGE gap between where Nintendo's liability ends and things like this begin.
Now then, as far as this entire situation is concerned, I'm just going to quote myself from over at CAG, because I think that's as complete as I'm going to get on this subject:
Corporations are supposed to pay people to investigate potential health hazards for stunts like this. It's why they should have had medical professionals on standby or possibly at the event in question, and the fact that the woman apparently was crying in pain should have been a red flag, and she should have been checked out immediately.
First the TRU baby debacle, now this sort of thing. A few years ago at the college here, they had a Toughman contest, and some participant went home and died after competing due to head trauma (I think it was an anyuerism [sic]), which manifested as a headache at the time. Turns out he was bleeding internally and didn't know it.
Drink too much water and you'd overload your bladder and kidneys, which would backup into your bloodstream, and at that point, you are in big trouble.
Anyone saying this woman deserved this for negligence...that's pretty haughty. Your body sometimes cannot adequately communicate internal problems, iand even when it does, most people can't recognize them. That's why a kid last year, after football practice in the 100+ degree weather, went home, fell asleep, and never woke up.
Here is all that can be said - this is an unfortunate turn of events. Period. Nothing more or less. You can't blame the contestant, because they generally think they are operating in an environment that is safe and secure. The only way this could have been avoided is if health officials were present and had checked the woman immediately, which would have required the company to hire them and research these potential issues to begin with.
But above all, the main thing anyone should remember is that we are not as in control of our bodies as we'd like to think. I can't control my heartbeats or body temperature (though, to be fair, supposedly monks can learn to do these kinds of things, but I don't have proof) any better than I can tell if I'm currently under attack from a virus until I feel some kind of reaction, namely fever. And by then, I'm defintely under attack, and there's nothing I can do to help myself except ride it out.
However, the moment you feel unsure about something or bad, get medical help. That's about all you can do.
Now this conversation has gone on long enough, and for people to bat some careless eyes at it is to be expected, but the only reason I can see someone doing this is so that they can make themselves feel better about themselves. I guess it's a self preservation sort of thing. "That woman got taken out by drinking too much water. I'm going to go out a much cooler way, like in a runaway semi truck driven by the Incredible Hulk." Again, to be expected, but you're not looking very cool at the moment, so I'm not sure why you'd care to bring it up at all. Just move along.
Just leave it at this point. The woman is dead, it's kinda tragic, and hopefully it's going to force companies to rethink their promotional strategies, as well as teach people that they need to pay attention.
Topic: Hold your Wee for a Wii (Read 41123 times)
