There’s a couple things I would like to add; yes the AAA is mainly talking about outdoor advertising and yes, we can live without it. For example, billboards are regulated in many places across the country. In my home state, California, there are heavy regulations on cigarette and alcohol billboards, especially near schools. There are also several states in the US which have banned billboards entirely – Vermont, Alaska, Maine, and Hawaii. Taking it further, São Paulo, Brazil has banned outdoor advertising starting this month. The São Paulo ban is very new and we’ll see how it turns out, however, my point is that the world and the way it works is not set in stone. Things can change.

Regarding the line between creativity and vandalism – these 1×8 inch vinyl stickers are pretty harmless. I have yet to find any that left permanent damage. Also, it never ceases to amaze me how much respect people have for private property – even when it’s an advertisement placed in public space. Our public space, our common spaces, have become a pay-to-play game and I believe individual citizens should be able to particiapte in the dialogue of public spaces without spending a small fortune. In my opinion, if there is acess to public spaces it should be democratic not capitalistic.

Additionally, many people don’t realize how much outdoor advertising is itself illegal. We did a project last week about this and, rather than reiterate the whole thing here, I will direct you to the project decription and associated links.

One last thing, one of the comments about creativity and vandalism reminded me of this quote from artist Barry McGee about graffiti:
“There’s a lot of talk of how damaging graffiti is and the destruction that happens with graffiti, but there’s actually no damage. It all can be removed or painted over with a roller. So there’s the media’s idea of damage and destruction, this thing that’s slightly askew. To me, if there’s commercial jingles from the ’70s or ’80s that I remember and that are stuck in my head, that’s damage to me. Like you’re driving down the street and all of a sudden you’re humming along to some commercial that you remember when you were a kid – to me that’s far more damaging. The billboards are very subversive, and advertising is very subversive, whereas most of the stuff that’s done on the street is very close to the truth. There’s not so much subversion involved. “

Again, I appreciated the discussion. Please feel free to contact me directly.

Steve

I do agree that, wherever you see it falling on the ethics side of things, it’s unquestionably creative and clever.

I have other thoughts on the Stevenson quote, but I don’t want to throw out more fuel for the fire. Rest assured, I agree strongly with the quote, but that the worldview differences I mention above probably mean we approach it in different ways.

Also, Amanda, I was poking fun at your TV earlier. :)

And come on, anonymous ii, EVERYONE likes arguing. It’s why we post on message boards. If you aren’t arguing, you’re agreeing, and that just leads to stagnation. ;)
I’m also trying to run an oppressive regime at home with two kids, so I need to practice the rhetoric.

Toodles!