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The worst one I've ever seen was: "must be read", prominent on the front cover. Which probably influenced my decision to buy the book. But later I noticed the

The worst one I've ever seen was: "must be read", prominent on the front cover. Which probably influenced my decision to buy the book. But later I noticed the sentence that quote was from was something like "This book must be read not as an analysis of X, but as a contribution to Y". I couldn't believe it! It was a serious non-fiction book, I think, and not an obscure one, although sadly I lost track of the book it was years ago. Not easy to google. I'll never forget the unfathomable effrontery/deception of whoever had the idea then OKed it for the cover.

cainxinth 4y ago
There’s a thin line between “puffery” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puffery https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puffery) and deceit. Your example strikes me as crossing the line.
- JohnFen 4y ago
  "Puffery" is just legal lying.
  - yesenadam 4y ago
    (IANAL) Take this, for example, from a jazz/funk/? band I like: "The Funky Knuckles is a world class jazz orchestra made up of genetically enhanced cybernetic super men. They have played at the finest venues around the world delivering mind blowing rhythms and harmonic complexity that will shatter your fragile psyche and leave you drowning in a pool of fresh llama milk. The band members are as brilliant as they are handsome and they have performed with people such as the legendary Phill Aelony. This unstoppable crime fighting squadron will make you dance like a kraken on meth before you burst into tears of joy which can be combined with powder from a ground up cobra skull to synthesize the elixir you need to pass through solid objects." It's cool, funny, seems appropriate to the band, - and also not meant to be taken seriously, so seems to fit that "puffery" definition. But calling it "just legal lying" would...miss the point. https://www.thefunkyknuckles.com/about https://www.thefunkyknuckles.com/about
    - JohnFen 4y ago
      That isn't really an attempt at making people believe untrue things. I don't think it counts as puffery for that reason.
      - yesenadam 4y ago
        The first paragraph of the "Puffery" wikipedia page: "In everyday language, puffery refers to exaggerated or false praise. Puffery serves to "puff up" what is being described. In law, puffery is usually invoked as a defense argument: it identifies futile speech, typically of a seller, which does not give rise to legal liability. In a circular manner, legal explanations for this normative position describe the non-enforceable speech as a statement that no "reasonable person" would take seriously anyway." It seems puffery in both those senses.
        JohnFen 4y ago
        Well, this is a point reasonable people can disagree on. I think intent matters. Exaggeration for comedic or parody effect isn't puffery because the intent is not actually to deceive. Actual puffery comes about because there was a legitimate intent to deceive. As your (accurate) description of the law even implies: it's a defense for advertisers when they are caught being deceptive.

cainxinth 4y ago

There’s a thin line between “puffery” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puffery https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puffery) and deceit. Your example strikes me as crossing the line.

JohnFen 4y ago
"Puffery" is just legal lying.
- yesenadam 4y ago
  (IANAL) Take this, for example, from a jazz/funk/? band I like: "The Funky Knuckles is a world class jazz orchestra made up of genetically enhanced cybernetic super men. They have played at the finest venues around the world delivering mind blowing rhythms and harmonic complexity that will shatter your fragile psyche and leave you drowning in a pool of fresh llama milk. The band members are as brilliant as they are handsome and they have performed with people such as the legendary Phill Aelony. This unstoppable crime fighting squadron will make you dance like a kraken on meth before you burst into tears of joy which can be combined with powder from a ground up cobra skull to synthesize the elixir you need to pass through solid objects." It's cool, funny, seems appropriate to the band, - and also not meant to be taken seriously, so seems to fit that "puffery" definition. But calling it "just legal lying" would...miss the point. https://www.thefunkyknuckles.com/about https://www.thefunkyknuckles.com/about
  - JohnFen 4y ago
    That isn't really an attempt at making people believe untrue things. I don't think it counts as puffery for that reason.
    - yesenadam 4y ago
      The first paragraph of the "Puffery" wikipedia page: "In everyday language, puffery refers to exaggerated or false praise. Puffery serves to "puff up" what is being described. In law, puffery is usually invoked as a defense argument: it identifies futile speech, typically of a seller, which does not give rise to legal liability. In a circular manner, legal explanations for this normative position describe the non-enforceable speech as a statement that no "reasonable person" would take seriously anyway." It seems puffery in both those senses.
      - JohnFen 4y ago
        Well, this is a point reasonable people can disagree on. I think intent matters. Exaggeration for comedic or parody effect isn't puffery because the intent is not actually to deceive. Actual puffery comes about because there was a legitimate intent to deceive. As your (accurate) description of the law even implies: it's a defense for advertisers when they are caught being deceptive.