Shock value is the potential of an image, text or other form of communication to provoke a reaction of disgust, shock, anger, fear, or similar negative emotion. Examples of websites using images with high shock value are Tubgirl.com and Goatse.cx. Disgust is an emotion, typically associated with things that are perceived as unclean or inedible. ... Shock is a serious medical condition where the tissue perfusion is insufficient to meet the required supply of oxygen and nutrients. ... This article may contain original research or unverified claims. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... A shock site is a website that is intended to be offensive or shocking to its viewers, containing shocking material which is considered distasteful and crude, and is generally of a pornographic, scatological, or extremely violent nature. ... A shock site is a website intended to be offensive to most viewers, usually containing frightening and/or incredibly distasteful and crude content. ... Goatse. ...

Shock value as humor

There are many extremely lewd jokes circulating that use shock value as humor. The idea is that if something is that if something is extremely offensive it begins to become funny. Infant mortality, cannibalism, incest, racism, sexism, child molestation, and other taboo subjects are common elements of shock value jokes.

The humor used in "The Aristocrats" depend heavily on shock value. The Aristocrats (also known as The Debonaires or The Sophisticates in some tellings) is an exceptionally transgressive dirty joke that has been told by numerous stand-up comedians since the vaudeville era. ...

Shock value in advertising

Shock value is often used in the world of commercials in order to gain attention for the product or service in offer. Wikibooks has more about this subject: Marketing Billboards and street advertising in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, (2005) Advertising is paid communication through a non-personal medium in which the sponsor is identified and the message is controlled. ...

For example, the Benetton Group is infamously known for using shocking material in their ads (such as a newborn baby still covered in blood and with an umbilical cord). The baby has no connection with the brand or its products, but people still remember the ad and the brand. Häagen-Dazs uses a milder version of this tactic - its ice cream products are combined with the element of sex to produce shock value. Benetton Group S.p. ... In placental mammals, the umbilical cord is a tube that connects a developing embryo or fetus to its placenta. ... A Häagen-Dazs shop in Fashion Show Mall on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Although this type of advertising may be found offensive to some viewers, it has proven effective in the past. The initial shock invariably burns the accompanying brand name into the viewer's memory.

Modern shock value

Modern day shock value can come in many different forms. As things that were once shocking, like Mohawks and piercings, are becoming more commonplace, shock value can sometimes be found in clothing from the 1890-1930's, such as top hats, spats, monocles, and walking sticks. It has been suggested that hoxton fin be merged into this article or section. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Duke Ellington wearing a top hat. ... Spats are a type of shoe accessory. ... The first cover of The New Yorker, 1925: Eustace Tilley quizzes a butterfly A monocle is a type of corrective lens used to correct the vision in only one eye. ... A walking stick (or two) is a tool used by many people to ease pressure on the legs when walking. ...

See also

• Exploitation film
• Gross-out film
• Shock jock
• Shock rock
• Shockumentary