Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
Open other side.

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


                                   

Please log in.
Before you can vote, you need to register. Please log in or create an account.

The Emperor's New Clothes

A gift for the intellectually naked
  (+10, -3)
(+10, -3)
  [vote for,
against]

Hopefully we all know the fable of "The Emperor's New Clothes."

The product is a sealed suit bag (with hanger) containing a modern cut of the legendary clothes, and a tag saying such swinging from the top. It should be presented to those people in your life who, at times, bring this fable to mind - be they vapid managers touting the specious ideas of overpaid consultants, scientists valuing elegance above experiment, or mathematicians who can't count.

If the recipient understands the implications, well done, you've given them a piece of your mind. If they don't, laugh privately at their ignorance.

[Is there a "gift" type category?]

Detly, May 11 2005

The Emperor’s New Suit by Hans Christian Andersen http://hca.gilead.org.il/emperor.html
English translation [Detly, May 14 2005]

[link]






       So this would be a very expensive way to call someone stupid?
hidden truths, May 11 2005
  

       This is more of a joke than an idea, isn’t it?
ldischler, May 11 2005
  

       how about business: service: personal: advice
dentworth, May 11 2005
  

       In keeping with the theme of the Emperor's New Clothes, how about Fashion: Hi-tech?   

       I'm stuggling with the the relationship between the story of The Emperor's New Clothes, where an old man's pomposity wins out over his common sense, and this, where a (presumably empty) suit bag is given to somebody who, if they don't already know, will soon realise what they've been given.
st3f, May 11 2005
  

       st3f: this is (or should be) in the gag gift section. Like giving a bottle of pennicilin to the person who has everything. If I ever get as far as marketing Clue Spray (for the person who doesn't have one, not the kind for aspiring detectives), we can sell this alongside.
DrCurry, May 11 2005
  

       Is there an archetypical outfit for charlatans?
bristolz, May 11 2005
  

       When is someone going to come up with an idea of what to do with the Emperor's Old Clothes? I mean this closet space is not infinite.
theircompetitor, May 11 2005
  

       It seems to me that the height of the "New Economy" would have been prime time for this idea.   

       Is it telling that some seem to equate "intellectually naked" to "intellectually deficient"?
half, May 11 2005
  

       I can't believe anyone would not understand the implications. (unless they speak with clicks)
SpocksEyebrow, May 11 2005
  

       [ldischler] - the idea is for a joke gift, as [DrCurry] says. But I can't find the appropriate section.   

       [half] - more vulnerable than deficient. [looks down] Oh my god, it's just like that dream... oh well.   

       [Spocks] - I can't believe that people would actually pay other people to tell them how to pay still more people to tell them to continue doing exactly the same thing.
Detly, May 12 2005
  

       [detly] hmmm. too true. perhaps they are that dense.
SpocksEyebrow, May 12 2005
  

       Heh.
half, May 12 2005
  

       Great! You could take this even further - why not go out dressed only in a label glued to the back of your neck reading "The Emperor". When the cops stop you, just tell them you're wearing the The Emperor's new autumn colours.
wagster, May 14 2005
  

       yeaaaaaaaah...
hobbitcoat, May 17 2005
  

       yay [Wags] - where are you?
xandram, May 30 2012
  

       He's in the conservatory, pruning the temporal roses. I'd page him for you, but I'm afraid the Halfbakery's intercom is broken again.
Alterother, May 30 2012
  
      
[annotate]
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle