My daughter likes to read the jokes in Reader’s Digest. I thought she was quoting from one of their stupid-things-people-say feature when she laughed and said, “zero calories, 2/3 fewer calories than sugar”. Apparently Reader’s Digest advertisers want to get into the saying-stupid-things business?

:-)

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H. Peter Anvin May 19, 2014 21:01

I used to read the Swedish edition of Reader’s Digest when I visited my grandfather.  When I came to the States I was rather appalled by a lot of aspects of the U.S. version.

Michael K Johnson May 19, 2014 21:07

Are the jokes better in Swedish, or is the the advertisements? ☺

H. Peter Anvin May 19, 2014 21:16

The ads were less stupid and offensive.  I also think they removed a bunch of stories which were targeted toward a certain demographic (the Swedish edition markets itself as “the best bits from Reader’s Digest”.)

Michael K Johnson May 19, 2014 21:31

I remember when I was about my daughter’s age reading the jokes and thinking they were the only reason to read it. Since they now have more joke features and it seems very little else, I guess someone there agreed with me… :-)

(I couldn’t bring myself to subscribe, so a kind friend took pity on my daughter and sent along her old copies so that my daughter could renew her stock of jokes…)

H. Peter Anvin May 19, 2014 22:27

The jokes were by far the best parts, yes…

Jordan Keyes May 20, 2014 09:58

That one may be a result of bad advertising. It looks like they’re trying to show off two different products, one with 0 calories, one with 2/3rd the calories of sugar, but since it’s all lumped together, it’s sending mixed messages.

Michael K Johnson May 20, 2014 12:06

Oh, that is exactly what it is. I knew that when I posted it, but I didn’t want to spoil the joke. #mathfail is funnier when it isn’t explained. :-)

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