The Irony of Evolution

The well-deserved demise this week of former district attorney Michael Nifong, who almost ruined the lives of three innocent Duke University lacrosse players, gave new hope to American men. Postpone the celebration, guys. The maker of Trojan condoms just launched a new campaign, called “evolve,” that portrays men, literally, as pigs.

While Fox and CBS refuse to air the “men are pigs” commercial, ABC, NBC, and nine cable networks are on board with it. Everyone responsible for conceiving, writing, producing, storyboarding, and greenlighting this trash — designed by Kaplan Thaler Group — should be ashamed of himself.

“The humor in the advertising spots is our way of getting consumers’ attention and opening up a serious conversation about sexually healthy lifestyles,” said Linda Kaplan Thaler, CEO and chief creative officer. “Some people may be initially surprised by the imagery, but we’re really using the pigs as a metaphor for selfish behavior to call to attention a very important subject.”

“A change in behavior takes a change in attitude,” said Dr. Drew Pinsky, board-certified physician and host of the nationally syndicated radio program Loveline. “The Evolve campaign effectively argues that condoms are a positive symbol of respect for ourselves and our partners as well as a critical component of sexual health and enjoyment—and that not using condoms can bring a dangerous outcome to an otherwise special connection.”

“Evolve is a wake-up call to change attitudes about using condoms and, on a larger scale, the way we think and talk about sexual health in this country,” said Jim Daniels, vice president of marketing for TROJAN®. “Other than abstinence, the best way people can prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection is to use a condom every time they have sex. Unfortunately, that’s just not happening today—single sexually-active Americans between the ages of 18 and 54 use them only about 25 percent of the time. We urgently need to foster healthier attitudes about sexual health and condom use.”

If these decisionmakers are so concerned with changing the sexual behaviors of Americans, they should be just as willing to run the same commercials with the roles reversed: have the female actors play loose, disease-infested sluts, from whom cleancut men must protect themselves by using condoms. Women always demand equality, right?

Tonight, Bill O’Reilly, host of The O’Reilly Factor, asked PR advisor Peter Shankman whether he deemed the Trojan commercial offensive. Shankman answered: “No. Men are pigs.” I think psychiatrists call that projection. As I have opined many times, misandry exists because of the many self-hating men like Shankman tearing down the rest of us.

Imagine the irony of using “evolve” as the title of a male-degrading campaign. It’s not surprising, when you think about it. This is the same country that gives round-the-clock media coverage of any rich blonde who drives her car while drunk … or emerges from it without panties.

The NoNonsense Bottom Line

Men must rise up to end misandry — by fighting it wherever and whenever it occurs. Here are three suggestions for killing the Trojan pig:

1. Boycott Trojan condoms
2. Call and/or email your opinion to Dr. Drew, Linda Kaplan Thaler, and Jim Daniels (609.683.5900 x7311)
3. Protest against ABC, NBC, and the nine cable networks that air this commercial.

Unless and until men make it clear that they’re not going to tolerate this crap anymore, the advertisers, ad agencies, and TV networks will continue portraying them as worthless and irrelevant. It’s time for a revolution.

About the Author

Marc H. Rudov is an internationally recognized author of 60+ articles and the books Under the Clitoral Hood: How to Crank Her Engine Without Cash, Booze, or Jumper Cables™ (ISBN 9780974501727), and The Man’s No-Nonsense Guide to Women: How to Succeed in Romance on Planet Earth™ (ISBN 0974501719).

Rudov’s books, articles, blog, and podcasts are available at TheNoNonsenseMan.com.

Copyright © 2007 by Marc H. Rudov. All rights reserved.

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