Omni Brain : Disturbing French Aids Poster

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Steve Higgins is a psychology graduate student at an online university. He hopes that the three weeks and $29.95 that he is spending on his Ph.D. will get him a job at a Tier 1 research university. Do online universities have postdocs? Ok...just kidding, Steve is a real graduate student at a real school.

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Disturbing French Aids Poster

Category: Medicine • Sex • Weird
Posted on: April 5, 2007 9:15 AM, by Steve Higgins

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Comments

oh i think that size is enough for me, thx

Posted by: kate | April 5, 2007 9:44 AM

Is is just me or is the tail on the scorpion articulated in the wrong direction. I guess that only cements my geek cred that I find incorrect arthropod articulation the most disturbing thing about that picture.

Posted by: ukko | April 5, 2007 9:55 AM

So. um ... AIDS is bad then? Right?

Posted by: Watchman | April 5, 2007 10:44 AM

Well, it gets your attention....

Posted by: Kevin W. Parker | April 5, 2007 10:53 AM

#2 ukko- or how about that fact that tarantulas are really quite docile. Some people keep them as pets.

Oh well, we get the point.

Posted by: Alan | April 5, 2007 11:27 AM

Wimbledon champion Michael Stich runs a campaign to prevent children from contracting the HIV virus with as disturbing pictures. You will find them here:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,474858,00.html

Posted by: sparc | April 5, 2007 12:28 PM

Oh well, we get the point.

What is the point?

Posted by: Mustafa Mond, FCD | April 5, 2007 12:33 PM

Oh I get it, it's dangerous behaviour. Those spiked heels are very hazardous. That woman could have a spasm and puncture someone's exoskeletion.

Posted by: Mustafa Mond, FCD | April 5, 2007 12:35 PM

I don't see these as very informative or helpful. Perhaps the creators think that people just aren't scared of AIDS anymore... maybe they know something I don't.... like that those who have AIDS are black, seductive, insect-like villans... Nope, I don't see these ads as helpful at all.

Posted by: k | April 5, 2007 1:36 PM

#10

Its a message to invertebrates to always use a condom. Always keep one handy, too--because chordates are a bunch of sluts.

Posted by: Baratos | April 5, 2007 3:57 PM

#11

Looks like a scene from Naked Lunch.

Posted by: Ex-drone | April 5, 2007 4:06 PM

#12

Haha, people with HIV are dirty insects. Or something. Lepers? Anyways, get the raid.

No wait, that's totally wrong.

Posted by: Brad | April 5, 2007 8:14 PM

#13

Mustafa- You still miss the point. The poster simply implies if women didn't go around squishing every spider they see the spiders would grow up and make them queen.

Posted by: Alan | April 6, 2007 1:34 AM

#14

So... only hot in-shape dudes and dudettes can get HIV? American obesity wins again!

Posted by: Brian | April 6, 2007 1:36 AM

#15

re: spiders and scorpions. It's not the size, it's how you use it.

Posted by: raincoaster | April 6, 2007 9:14 PM

#16

Nice wood floors.

Posted by: Mustafa Mond, FCD | April 7, 2007 10:03 AM

#17

Haha, people with HIV are dirty insects. Or something.

Where "something" is defined as arachnids.

Posted by: Mustafa Mond, FCD | April 7, 2007 10:05 AM

#18

Looks like somebody attended the PETA school of marketing....

Posted by: David Harmon | April 11, 2007 10:41 AM

#19

Looks like the two pics were taken in the same apartment.

Posted by: romunov | April 17, 2007 1:11 PM

#20

*sighs* Why is it that I didn't find these disturbing at all, merely puzzling?

Posted by: Drhoz! | May 15, 2007 6:55 AM

#21

Ha ha! Obviously If you find yourself in a situation with a giant spider going down on you, or you feel like fucking a giant scorpion, beware! You will catch aids! Oh, and i think the artist needs to stop injecting the bug powder!..

Posted by: allllien | June 10, 2007 9:50 AM

#22

some people need 2 grow up u just dont get the poster and what it represents

Posted by: nancy | November 7, 2007 8:45 AM

#23

Some people just need to grow up and start to use correct English and start to understand humor.

Posted by: steve | November 7, 2007 3:22 PM

#24

Descusting don't you think?

Posted by: Bob | November 14, 2007 12:36 PM

#25

all it says is HIV can make you seriousily ill/can kill you. Insects aren't known for being clean and they can probably kill you (especially at that size). lol

Posted by: tuffstuff | November 20, 2007 6:15 PM

#26

This only proves that most people are not going to take this campaign seriously. So it is obviously a poor representation if they are trying to be serious. I wonder how the models felt after they were being fondled by big giant hairy insects. Hmmmmm.....now that's something to ponder on.

Posted by: Harmony | November 26, 2007 11:51 AM

#27

Beastiality!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: moistvajaja | December 7, 2007 1:13 AM

#28

Or does it all simply mean that we are going to start anew with a different species! Personally I am not into spiders, but I am sure I can get a few tips from well aclaimed productions like Animal Farm - if it comes to it! hahaha

Posted by: Cheryl | December 11, 2007 5:50 AM

#29

What people seem to be missing is that this is a FRENCH poster. You can't ignore that there are cultural differences, unless you are a closed-minded idiot, end of story. In France, publicity isn't thrown in your face the way it is in America. It's possible that this is because the French are smarter. They care more about education. But, there is an important detail of French culture that puts this into context: they have fewer words for the same thing than we have, and so the things they say rely on an expected understanding of what is actually behind what they are saying. They speak "implicitly." If you don't understand that word, find a dictionary. If you're not getting the poster, it's because you don't know a thing about France. Harmony, I agree: most Americans would not take it seriously, and that is why this wasn't an American ad. It's about the society we grow up in.

That being said, another thing about the French is they have senses of humor. So, yes, they understand the message the poster is giving, very much. And, nudity is used differently in French culture, so that the posters are not about the shock value of the nude, but about the shock value of the nude sleeping with larger versions of tiny creatures. This is a funny concept, but its point is not unnoticed.

If you're saying that making jokes about it makes the other posters bad people, you're wrong. Part of it is seeing this as someone not from France, from a different culture, and the rest is things that even the French would find funny. Those who are making jokes, as long as you know deep down that it's a serious issue, and that you're not picking fun at the issue, there's nothing wrong with pointing out the hilarity of bizarre foreign ad campaigns.

Posted by: Claudette | December 15, 2007 8:46 PM

#30

it kinda turns me on.esspically the guy.in a werid way.

Posted by: Meagan | December 16, 2007 7:36 PM

#31

You're all bigots - the French are oh so much more enlightened about interspecies love. ;-)

Posted by: R | December 28, 2007 12:08 PM

#32

So remember kids, ride that arachnid raw, because there is no such thing as Scorpion HIV!

Posted by: Troy | December 28, 2007 8:25 PM

#33

Hee hee. You guys are funny...

Posted by: Camillec | January 2, 2008 5:25 PM

#34

nice beds and nice insects and its really a vrey nice AID poster

Posted by: sexy | January 4, 2008 7:10 AM

#35

i think it means that u never kno if ur gonna get aids from a partner just like u never kno if a spider u see is going to bite you or if a scorpion will sting u

Posted by: zack | January 6, 2008 9:56 AM

#36

or it could mean that scorpions are freaks cuz look how sweaty the guy is and hes naked the girl has all her close on (except PaNtIeS) and the spider eating her cuch slowly sooo... if ur gonna fuck a bug scorpions are ur best bet

Posted by: zack | January 6, 2008 9:59 AM

#37

remember ,they are french. they eat weird things too.

Posted by: sgold | January 22, 2008 4:35 AM

#38

um... so neither of those are insects. they're both arachnids, because spiders and scorpions have 8 legs, not 6. that's the easy way to tell. and, no, arachnids are not a type of insect, or anything like that.

Posted by: pest-geek. | January 22, 2008 4:21 PM

#39

what the fuck!

Posted by: jake | January 24, 2008 7:26 PM

#40

what the fuck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: amy | January 24, 2008 7:34 PM

#41

The guy doesn't wash his feet. Is that supposed to be disturbing?

Posted by: F | January 24, 2008 8:08 PM

#42

Oh, you only just saw these for the first time? They've been around for years.

By the way, the links to the larger pictures don't work any more.

Posted by: Maureen Lycaon | January 24, 2008 10:22 PM

#43

Maybe what it means is, "You should have sex with giant mutant arachnids instead of other humans. Arthropods can't give you AIDS."

And the fuzzy spider is sort of hot ....

Posted by: Julie Stahlhut | January 24, 2008 10:22 PM

#44

I thought there was a very low transmission probability for what the spider and the woman are doing? (for the woman, I mean)

As for the spider, it looks like something out of a very bad SF/horror movie.

AIDES is well known in France for its in-your-face communication. They love striking pictures. But striking doesn't always mean effective.

Posted by: Christophe Thill | January 25, 2008 11:52 AM

#45

i like who wants to fuck me

Posted by: kate | February 1, 2008 6:15 PM

#46

Now..now.. I find these quite disturbing. Seroiusly, these sort of campaigns against HIV/AIDS might work better, the message is very clear.

Posted by: Joid | February 10, 2008 1:15 AM

#47

Maybe im wrong but arent most ads like these a symbolism? I thought this was symbolic for.. No matter who or what you're fucking you should wrap that shit.

Eh I guess it interprets whatever way.

Posted by: Lo | February 16, 2008 10:06 PM

#48

wow. well when i got off the floor from laughing, i had to decide on putting this on my report about rance.

weird creativity?
sadly im french.
i am officially ashamed.

Posted by: danielle | February 19, 2008 9:46 PM

#49

wow. well when i got off the floor from laughing, i had to decide on putting this on my report about rance.

weird creativity?
sadly im french.
i am officially ashamed.

Posted by: danielle | February 19, 2008 9:49 PM

#50

I think this mmight make spiders and tarachulas have more sex appeal.

Posted by: John | February 19, 2008 10:57 PM

#51

I think this is accutally a great idea. Most people have been told all they can hear about aids, which is why half the people on here are semi educated enough to make jokes. But it is all there for you to interpret however you feel. Wherther it is that you would not have sex with a scorpion or let a spider go down on you because that would be dangerous just as dangerous as having unprotected sex with someone with HIV. Also the French might be ok with nudity but I do not think they would want a big vagina or penis poster all over their cities..so they couldnt use little bugs. Just wrap it up, or eveytme you have unprotected sex THAT picture will be in your head.

Posted by: unknown | February 23, 2008 11:58 PM

#52

Discusted on how you can show this, and how it can be on google, for children and my children to see! Just type in "french" on google, and you'll see it!

Posted by: Katie | February 27, 2008 2:08 PM

#53

i think that picture is a discrace to the human race you all are wierd and i will be reporting this to the police sorry for any trouble

johnn

Posted by: john | February 28, 2008 9:52 AM

#54

What the hell?!

Posted by: onchiri negunka | February 28, 2008 2:22 PM