marcicat | is this real life?

I have a 401k through work (I know, I feel very fancy about it). And occasionally I like to check on it, just to make sure the usual graph hasn’t been replaced by a gif of Bernie Madoff laughing, or something.

I’m not sure what to make of the website, though. The home screen offers an animated video titled (no joke) “This alien explains why a better future starts with a better plan.” (It also offers links to illuminating articles including this gem: “Saving more can be a key to retirement success.” You don’t say!)

So, I watched the video. It features an actualfacts space alien, with four arms and two legs, though the joints of the legs make me wonder if perhaps it does not usually stand upright. It’s only 15 seconds long. (That doesn’t seem like enough time to explain much.)

The alien says: “So you’re not saving for retirement because, quote, ‘By the time I retire, aliens could like, take over the world.’ That’s ridiculous. You know nothing of our plans.”

Then it flashes a screen that says “Now is a good time to make a plan.”

WHAT. I have no idea what to make of that. I just — WHAT? (Also, the alien makes air quotes with all four hands.)

Mirrored from The Marci Rating System.