Starting today, Target is testing to see how consumers will react "branded entertainment" by releasing a 12-minute film starring Kristen Bell, Nia Long and Zachary Abel, and directed by Phil Abraham, who has directed Mad Men, and worked on The Sopranos.

The man in India who named his clothing store "Hitler" has decided to rename his shop—or being forced to rename his shop, that is, after receiving a hundred complaints a day, and the threat of having his business license revoked.

Before the Internet bubble burst, and even after, news stories appeared about people who tattooed the names of Internet domains on prominent, visible places on their body (like their forehead) in exchange for a few thousand dollars.

I just read this story in India Ink, the Times blog on India, and would have believed it if you told me it was from an Onion article. Because the story went on to say that other businesses in India have also named their business after the Nazi, for example, Hitler's Den, a pool parlor. WHAT? Also this: "He added that he did not believe that Hitler was 'such a bad person.'" Again, WHAT?

Even Kim Kardashian thinks it's crazy that people buy her $10 bottle of regular water with her photo on the label. She does this all on the strength of her brand—not on talent. She doesn't need to be talented: "Well, a bear can juggle and stand on a ball and he's talented, but he's not famous. Do you know what I mean?"

This is the tragic plight of a middle-class urbanite who was born and bred by cheapskate, suburban parents.