‘Stunt promotes communication’

Christian Sciberras

Oct 14th 2009, 12:19

@Karen Zammit Southernwood ,

"I wonder how you managed to conclude that the main aim of any party where condoms are distributed to raise awareness about aids, is in fact, a party motivated by sex...but anyway... "

Why else would you use a condom? How else do you contract aids? I don't think condoms are distributed with the thought of preventing AIDS from sharing syrings, is it?

"for your generous lesson"
More like an observation then a lesson, and it's far from generous, it's what I've been pointing out to sociologists out there (albeit uselessly most of the time).

"computer viruses (even though not really called for :-)). "
I'm no biologist, and even if I were, my points are better put in simpler words.

Regards,
Christian Sciberras.

Karen Zammit Southernwood

Oct 12th 2009, 16:54

@Christian Sciberras

I wonder how you managed to conclude that the main aim of any party where condoms are distributed to raise awareness about aids, is in fact, a party motivated by sex...but anyway...

My opinion is what it is...nevertheless thanks for your generous lesson about aids and computer viruses (even though not really called for :-)).

Christian Sciberras

Oct 9th 2009, 22:19

On a personal level, Karen, you seem to be aware of any pitfalls on this subject, which is good.
But don't assume that anyone else is. This is especially the case for students which (as someone mentioned elsewhere) are somewhat more sexually active.

While we're discussing this, I'd like to point out why AIDS is so dangerous. The HIV is probably the disease with the largest number of deaths throughout the centuries. It remains a major contribution of deaths, especially in developing countries (were condoms would sure come in handy).
However, there's quite an amount of causalities in developed countries. Why?
Simply because people are overconfident or blatantly ignorant to the hazard.

Comparing this to my preferred field of study, no matter the kind of antivirus/protection you get on your computer, if the computer is running an outdated/vulnerable operating system, it is still vulnerable.

Same biologically, people ought to fix this problem by avoiding sex in the first place...and using condoms on the second or third case.
Sex-oriented propaganda is surely not the way to do this.

Christian Sciberras

Oct 9th 2009, 22:08

While I very much regret seeing fellow humans dying a horrible death (or with the constant regret and reminder of having a shorter life to live), I still can't honestly see why people think it's just about being safe.
Remember the ages old saying, "prevention is better then cure"?

On AIDS day, I keep remarking to myself how people are reckless, while feeling very much confident I won't be ending in their same fate, alas, without the use of a condom.

Best regards,
Christian Sciberras.

Christian Sciberras

Oct 9th 2009, 22:02

@Karen Zammit Southernwood - First, thankfully - no. I wouldn't want to attend to parties with the main aim of it being about sex.

Secondly, you still don't understand my point. The fuss is, why did they give students a condom (useless, in case you think no ne will use it)?
Couldn't they have given a better/more useful gift? Anything from a small flash drive to a stylized pen.

Why a condom?

Whatever they would have given, it would have proven a suitable image to the company.

Personally, I don't think students should be going to university motivated by sex (as the company seems to think).

I'm not taking this as a "scandal" but rather bad advertisement. Sure, they gained a certain popularity, but in the future, I'll be trusting this company much less.

Regards,
Christian Sciberras.

Karen Zammit Southernwood

Oct 9th 2009, 12:38

@ Christian Sciberras

I can't honestly understand what you mean by shoving them down the students' throats!!! Tajba din! Have you ever been to a party where condoms are distributed, particularly on world aids day, Mr Sciberras? Well, I have, and even though it was 'shoved down my throat' I can assure you that I haven't used it. I gave it to someone who actually wanted to use the one given to him and reserve the one I gave him for some other time. What a fuss over a piece of latex!

Matthew Dougall

Oct 8th 2009, 22:33

they did give free pendrives (or sim card readers) and free messages and calls to any other vodafone number

Christian Sciberras

Oct 8th 2009, 15:46

@g. scerri - I agree.
As with other students, we've attended drug lessons, etc. However, luckily, none required us to try drugs ourselves to the harm they cause...

@E. De Gabriele - First, comparing drugs with sex is generally not possible (and unfair).
However, I can't say I wouldn't have preferred a higher age restriction for both voting and driving...

@Karen Zammit Southernwood - That's the problem. Personally, it isn't condoms the problem here.
The problem is shoving it down students' throats.

Regards,
Christian Sciberras.

Karen Zammit Southernwood

Oct 8th 2009, 14:40

University students are all 18 years of age and above. I can't see a reason why all this fuss is being made! After all most of them are sexually active anyway, so why not go safe? If it is against any student's morality they could have opted to refuse the so called free gift. How many of those students offered the pack have actually refused it? I wonder...

M. Vella

Oct 8th 2009, 14:15

@ G. Scerri

how can you compare distributing a condom with distributing drugs? They are two completely different things.

I don't think that is a good example or comparison. With all due respect if you don't want to use a condom don't , no one is forcing you to do so. Equally giving a condom to a student does not tantamount to inciting him to use it and if he did then so much the better as there is less risk of unwanted pregnancies, STDs and other undesirable effects of promiscuous sex.

Yes perhaps having pre-marital sex is not morally acceptable but face the facts. Students are experimenting with sex and the state and people of this country are suffering the effects and no amount of whinging from people like you will stop this activity

E. De Gabriele

Oct 8th 2009, 14:05

I am a University student and i found this 'stunt' (as you called it) humorous and witty. I do not think that the paper has made it clear that the entire communication was about the alternative use of the condom. There has been years of debate on condoms etc and the truth of it all is that I simply cannot understand why, but obviously i leave everyone to his/her choices.

Now with regards to some of the comments hereunder, I find these hilarious ......... so at 18 we are old and mature enough to choose a government that will run the country but we are not mature enough to decide whether we want to have safe sex or not. And what about comparing condoms to drugs .......... are we back to your 60s motto sex, drugs and rock n roll.

I hope that my small contribution will stimulate some open minded comments :)

roslyn schembri sheffield

Oct 8th 2009, 13:03

its all about money again! advertising sex works;)

g. scerri

Oct 8th 2009, 11:14

Isn't it admirable for a commercial company to care so much about what should or should not be discussed. Yes condoms can be bought in many places, but didn't it occur to Vodafone that while a young person may refrain from buying one for a number of reasons, having it delivered to him for free is tantamount to an invitation to try it. out Yes university students have reached voting age but not necessarily maturity. Did Vodafone ask their parents whether they had the right to give condoms ? Would the directors of Vodafone accept their own children being given, say, soft drugs just to stimulate discussion. The greed for money has no limits has it in our age. I can understand why upright people are repudiating Vodafone.

Christian Sciberras

Oct 8th 2009, 11:12

Uhm...

...it isn't like the students would throw away the condoms, is it?

J Farrugia

Oct 8th 2009, 10:50

Vodafone says that it wasn't their aim to promote sex on campus. Is that so? For me it was part of their consumistic campaign to aid and encourage promiscuity among the youngest generations by freely distributing condoms to these UM Students. Why didn't vodafone distribute pendrives or something more worthwhile such as free sms or free calls or reduced price mobiles to these students? Because actually that was the aim of Vodafone's campaign: promiscuity among youths. And the state pays for their irrresponsibilities. Why didn't Vodafone distribute lollipops to these students like it did with the JCollege students? The answer is obvious. And as a maltese citizen I will continue to shun Vodafone as is my moral right to do. Everyone is free to do what one wants. and I, being no child of a lesser god, will continue to do what is morally and socially right to do. Damning Vodafone and other advocates of immorality..