Flash-ed Out

I had no idea what is this promotional site is for (altho I found out later that's for Cadbury Schweppes Spring Valley). I just know that I was flashed out while trying to figured it out. After a truly immersive experience that lasted for what seemed like eternity in internet minutes, I ended up on the page above. My inner "neglected sensible". Looks ugly (don't draw any conclusions ...).  What this prompted me is to think of all those flash sites that I usually laugh at (I wrote some about this in my Google Chrome post). And there are quite a few of them, and counting. Even UNIQLO, whose work I usually love, created a flash minisite, together with some ear-piercing Japanese tune. Some other recent examples are this and this (altho the list can go on). I don't get it. Using flash to create video or some other video-like narrative is no different than a 30-second spot (except it usually does not last 30 seconds). I have to sit through its story (and i have stuff to do...) Sure thing, the story might be emotional or fun or whatever the story wants to be, but why would I come back again to hear it twice? (and sure as hell I am not putting that little monster above to my facebook page) There's nothing there for me - it doesn't do anything for me [except making me sit through it]. There are much better ways to put Flash to use ... for the most obvious examples, think Google Chrome, Viewzi and Hulu.