It is becoming progressively more common to hear adverts for beds, massage chairs etc having a zero gravity mode, with references to astronauts or NASA. As far as I can gather, the mode is more properly referred to as “lying down” a certain way or perhaps more relevantly, “lying”. How is such nonsense being perpetuated?
Any relevant science that would count as “zero gravity” could only be achieved by having an acceleration equal and opposite to the gravitational attraction and only (if in low-Earth circular orbit) by moving at around 8km/sec, or to be in free-fall - modes that seems inconsistent with Earth-based beds or massage chairs.
BTW, in “zero gravity”, gravity is still present but has an equal but cancelling acceleration, so zero gravity is actually quite an incorrect phrase. Weightlessness is more accurate - mass and weight being very different quantities. Let’s see advertisers trying to claim they have a “weightlessness mode”. How about bathroom scales with a “zero gravity” (weightlessness) mode? That’s how ridiculous these adverts are.
Most likely the claims are being treated as puffery and so they are allowed. I don’t like the use of puffery, I believe all advertised claims should be accurate. Some claims are so ridiculous that it is easy to discard them, and they may be used purely because they are so unbelievable that they remain clearly in the mind of those who have seen them such that they reinforce product memory. Still, I don’t like their use.
See the following regarding a discussion about puffery.
Puffery? Oh dear, it’s worse than I thought! I really can’t believe there is any relevant basis for these claims of a “zero gravity” mode and it really does rather undermine an understanding of basic scientific concepts. My experience is that “zero gravity” is not understood by the majority of people in the street. I wonder how many Choice subscribers know the significance of the difference between mass and weight? (Hopefully a majority).
To call having a nice lie down as using “zero gravity” mode seems too much of a stretch to be allowed as puffery
English being the delightfully ambiguous language that it is, an AI might interpret “zero gravity” to mean “in no seriousness”.
Perhaps that’s what is meant?
With great gravity, though, I’ll say I think sleeping in a weightless state would take a bit of getting used to. I suspect you’d have nightmares of falling.
Interestingly, my description of “zero gravity” rather confused centripetal force (a real force) and centrifugal (an apparent force) so best ask a physicist rather than me but yes, to be weightless does mean you are falling. A “zero gravity” bed will be very helpful in cushioning the landing
Sorry, I’ve misled you there. I meant that unless you examine whatever research they appear to be claiming is the basis of their statements, it is difficult to know how they have misinterpreted it. The claim is presented as believable and I expect most people would believe there was some basis to it. I strongly doubt there is any relevant research behind the claims.
There is no need for relevant research if the usage is puffery, that’s the problem with puffery. It would take Court action to determine if it is puffery or a misleading claim. If a finding of puffery, no action will occur. If misleading then some action would be taken.
Certainly, I neither have the time nor money to fund a case, we have to leave that to the ACCC in all likelihood. There is a mechanism to lodge a complaint with the ACCC. Decision on whether the ACCC will take action is opaque, we would only find out they are taking action when they announce it or it appears as a matter in the Courts.
Your and my belief is largely irrelevant when it comes to what is average or reasonable. We might be at the very high levels of discernment, average or reasonable may be lower. Only way to test any of this is to take it to a Court and they need to make the ruling. Some cases fail, others succeed. With current legislation as it is, puffery claims in my opinion would probably succeed and so no change. That belief is not a reason to not make a complaint though. I encourage people to complain when they see what they consider are problems, if we don’t complain it is unlikely any changes will occur.
Is it possible the marketing is saying the product can make one feel as though you are free of gravity? Feelings are subjective. Puffery might prevail allowing for the brand to offer clarification of what it means by “zero gravity”. It’s probable somewhere in fine print or related content is an analogy that saves the brand from more contentious opinion. Parallels are used in marketing float therapy.
Still not exactly the same as being unbound in an orbiting space craft. I preferred the backyard swimming pool. No risk of a return shuttle failure affecting one’s busy schedule.
I’ve only ever heard of zero gravity in relation to multi-adjustable beds. The one I was in, in the JHH emergency deparment a few years back certainly “took the weight off”! Is zero-G now being used in other contexts?
Many types of furniture, especially reclining chairs of all sorts and massage chairs.
It is the buzzword of the day similar to ‘AI’ in selling a PC. Marketeers grab onto it because they think it sells their product and as a practical matter has become meaningless as a result.
but yes, to be weightless does mean you are falling. A “zero gravity” bed will be very helpful in cushioning the landing 