Marketing Mythtakes

The consumer gods would like me to buy this:

Zane: World Lit: Greek Mythology 2 (Software)

Embrace the heroic ideals of Greek mythology through five myths and legends. Soar with Daedalus and Icarus as they attempt to fly on wings of feather and wax. Elope with Helen, wife of King Menelaus, as she sets in motion events that cause the Trojan War. Delight in the touching story of Baucis and Philemon. Take arms with Theseus as he battles the mighty Minotaur. Review the story of Perseus. Includes a 48-minute presentation and 180 photos. Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP/Vista and Mac.

Perhaps there is a bull/minotaur market for this sort of thing, and little Kaitlyn and Logan regularly pester their third grade teacher to regale them with the touching story of Baucis and Philemon. But if I’m right, and I’ll bet you five drachmae that I am, then this may be one of the worst marketing decisions ever made in the IT industry. Developing multimedia presentations is a costly endeavor. I’m not sure what marketing genius persuaded the corporate powers at Zane Software that there were thousands of little girls and boys out there who sat around dreaming about eloping with Helen, wife of King Menelaus, or (in a total failure of imagination) reviewing the story of Perseus. At any rate, it didn’t sell. Shocking, I know. And now it can be mine merely for the price of shipping. I’m thinking about having it shipped by air, as long as the flight involves feathers and wax.