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Disney Offers Refunds on Baby Einstein
Parents now have yet another excuse why their child isn't an honor student. In what is widely regarded as an admission that the Baby Einstein video series is ineffective in boosting young children's IQs, Disney is offering a refund on copies of the ultra-popular DVDs. Disney already dropped the word "educational" from marketing materials after complaints to the Federal Trade Commission that pediatricians actually advised against any screen time for small children, and the company faced the prospect of a class-action lawsuit if it refused to compensate parents. Disney's announcement of new refund offers did not directly address the lawsuit threat, but Baby Einstein Co. Vice President Susan McLain told The New York Times in a statement that, "Fostering parent-child interaction always has and always will come first at The Baby Einstein Company, and we know that there is an ongoing discussion about how that interaction is best promoted." Less than three years ago, the company's founder, Julie Aigner-Clark, was a guest of honor at President George W. Bush's State of the Union address, where she earned a prominent mention in his speech.
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n--Y--morecowbelldanielcmalloy
Your child can also grow up to develop theories that will threaten the existence of mankind.
hfb1053
Are they punking us? Baby Einstein has been out for a very long time; are they really going to give a refund to all the purchasers. And, I would think that anyone with even minimal intelligence would never have believed all the hype. Babies need interaction to learn and thrive -- duh!
Granite
George Bush praising Baby Einstein is like the world's fattest man promoting healthy eating habits.
This whole educate your baby to be a genius is at best ridiculous, at worst, it could really backfire on pushy demanding parents. Have fun with the rebellious teenage years mom and dad! Payback's a bitch!
pencilpusher
What are you talking about? George W. Bush not only recommends Baby Einstein, he's one of their biggest customers! Look what it did for him.
Aranxa
So how do I get my check? I deserve some payback for how annoying they are.
Garrison
George Bush should be honest and fess up that Ma Barker Bush read him, "Baby Mussolini".
spokospoko
I always hated these videos. Through various circumstances, my son watched a few of them when he was pretty young, and I could always tell the effect they had on him--made him irritable and restless. If you've ever watched one, you can see the problem--it's like they're specifically designed to shorten the child's attention span. Just one image after another coming at them in a barrage. That's supposed to be good?
boredwell
Though consumers fall hook, line and sinker for items that make promises which are, at best, disingenuous if not downright specious, this one most ironic! Baby Einstein? That Great Brain didn't talk until he was 5 years old!
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n--Y--morecowbellThank you.
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