Starbucks India stirred controversy and faced calls for boycotts following the release of a commercial set in India that sparked objections, particularly from the right-wing community. The company drew criticism for its latest promotional campaign, which portrayed parents meeting their transgender daughter at a Starbucks outlet.
In the video, a father initially grapples with accepting his daughter’s transition but eventually embraces it by ordering a drink for her under her new name. Starbucks India shared the video on Twitter with the caption, “Your name defines who you are – whether it’s Arpit or Arpita. At Starbucks, we love and accept you for who you are. Because being yourself means everything to us. #ItStartsWithYourName.”
The advertisement faced significant backlash, with political commentator Rukshan Fernando tweeting, “Starbucks facing backlash in India after adopting a full Bud Light approach. Introducing a mediocre US coffee brand to the market wasn’t bad enough; now they bring their woke corporate culture to the Subcontinent.”
In Starbucks India’s comment section, one user expressed dismay, stating, “It’s deeply concerning to witness the rapid erosion of cultural identity in our era. Certain liberal forces persistently normalize practices that seem to undermine our cherished traditions and values.”
Another user questioned Starbucks India’s marketing approach, commenting, “I’m a huge Starbucks fan and spend thousands of rupees in their coffee shops annually. But I can’t comprehend why @StarbucksIndia would launch a woke campaign under the guise of advertising? Can’t they just promote their coffee and service in India?”
A different comment criticized the promotion of what they deemed “immoral values,” asserting, “What are you promoting @Starbucks… Don’t endorse such cultural shifts… We don’t need any lessons on accepting such immoral values… We are Bharatvasis, and we take pride in our civilization.”
“I don’t understand why brands do this… these ads alienate huge portions of the population. Whatever happened to common-sense advertising? Videos like this alienate more customers than they attract. Literally wasting advertising dollars just to virtue signal,” expressed another disgruntled individual.
Watch the controversial ad here:
America has exported woke culture all around the globe, and Starbucks India just provided yet another example of this phenomenon. Since the end of World War II, the United States has been the global hegemon of liberalism, and many other nations have sought to mimic its cuIture.
Elon Musk’s Robot Kiss: A PR Stunt or a Glimpse into the Future of Technology
Elon Musk, renowned for his pioneering work in electric vehicles and space exploration, has recently made headlines for his interactions with humanoid robots. His social media posts featuring him kissing these robots have left many people puzzled and wondering about the future of human-robot relationships. Some are even speculating about a potential robot wife that Musk has hinted at.
The images, originally taken by artist Pablo Guerrero, have recently gone viral after Twitter user Daniel Marven shared them online. The pictures show Elon Musk engaging in intimate interactions with four different female robots, and their release has coincided with the debut of Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, taking its first steps. This has only added to the fascination surrounding the situation.
Although the images have caused a stir on social media, it’s crucial to bear in mind that things aren’t always as they seem. The circumstances surrounding these unusual photographs indicate that there may be more to the situation than initially meets the eye. It’s unclear whether these displays of affection are a genuine expression of romantic interest or part of a broader marketing or artistic initiative.
Mr. Marven wrote: ’It is the first robot that has been manufactured specifically designed with artificial intelligence, with the personality and the characteristics of the female that he dreams of…which is not found in any normal person, because of course, there is no normal person that has all the required specifications.”
According to him, ’Catnilla’ is a solar-powered robot that doesn’t require charging and is equipped with sensory capabilities that allow her to experience emotions such as happiness and sadness.
In response to the unique AI-generated portraits of Musk, Twitter users have been swift to offer their reactions, igniting a flurry of comical remarks and conjecture. One individual wittily remarked, “Well, well well… what have we here?”
During Tesla’s recent shareholders’ meeting, CEO Elon Musk shared an awe-inspiring video of the company’s Optimus robots in action, highlighting remarkable advancements made since the prototype’s debut at last year’s Tesla AI Day.
The footage showcases five Optimus robots walking and flexing their capabilities, including item retrieval, task completion, and the utilization of Tesla gadgets. The impressive demonstration serves as a testament to Tesla’s continued commitment to innovation and technological advancement.
As Elon Musk continues to push the envelope with his innovative ideas and technological advancements, the world is left wondering — was the robot kiss a mere publicity stunt or a sign of things to come? Whatever the answer may be, one thing is certain — the future is looking brighter than ever before.
Preview photo credit danielmarven / twitter
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