Filed under: Comment
Years ago, someone said to me that everyone needs someone to look up to – but more importantly, look down on.
They didn’t mean it in terms of specific individuals – though that happens as well – they were talking about whole regions, cultures and nationalities.
For example …
The English look down on the Welsh.
The Americans look down on the Mexicans.
The French look down on everyone.
However it can get much more specific than that …
People from southern parts of England often look “down” on people from the northern parts of England who look down on anyone from a particular city within northern England – like Liverpool or Newcastle – who look down on the Scots who look down on anyone from Indian or Pakistani communities who look down on anyone from Eastern Europe who look down on … well, you get the idea and it happens in pretty much every country/city around the World.
OK, I’m being incredibly generalistic so please don’t take me too literally or seriously … however the people who think/act in this way – of which there are many – adopt this attitude because it helps them justify their own situation and/or lack of achievement … in other words, it’s a byproduct of their inherent prejudice, ignorance and fear.
Adland could play a part in changing this however they either turn it into a joke which in their mind, somehow makes it all OK or – like Benetton – they exploit it in an attempt to gain eyeballs to their fucking garish jumpers.
I genuinely believe adland can play a significant part in making society better – or at least help give greater appreciation and understanding – however given the way the industry constantly seeks to smear pretty much everyone else within the industry, it’s no surprise trying to make things better is the exception rather than the rule so until human nature changes, here are some posters that help highlight the stupidity of our prejudiced society.
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is there anything fucking lower than a planner? apart from the fucking welsh?
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 6:23 amNottingham planners?
Comment by DH September 28, 2011 @ 6:30 amfuck me, there cant be anyfuckingthing lower than that.
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 6:32 amCockroaches are lower than nottingham planners or are they the same thing?
Comment by Billy Whizz September 28, 2011 @ 6:40 amcockroaches are slightly fucking higher than nottingham planners. david fucking attenborough said it and i fucking believe him.
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 6:57 amyou did all that just to lead to those fucking posters. next time heres some advice. just link to those fucking posters.
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 6:24 amfuck me, that borat post shows how fucking long youve been writing this bollocks. it must be some sort of world record to produce this much shit without the need of laxatives unless this is all some fucking experiential type of campaign for a laxative which would make everything make a bit of fucking sense for once.
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 6:25 amif judges made prisoners wear benetton jumpers thered be no more fucking crime in the world. fact.
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 6:26 amand why didnt the f1 benetton team have their shitty car in some some of multi coloured knit effect paint scheme?
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 6:27 amthere was that benetton bollocks about racism. black and white. fucking ironic given they were the only 2 colours the fuckers never ever used in their fabric bollocks.
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 6:28 amThe last paragraph of this post is stella.
Comment by Pete September 28, 2011 @ 6:41 amWhat about the other paragraphs?
Comment by Billy Whizz September 28, 2011 @ 6:41 amshit.
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 6:56 am+1
Comment by Bazza September 28, 2011 @ 6:49 amAre you agreeing with me Baz? Makes sense.
Comment by Billy Whizz September 28, 2011 @ 6:52 amWe both know that’s never going to happen.
Comment by Bazza September 28, 2011 @ 6:55 am“All of us who professionally use the mass media are the shapers of society. We can vulgarize that society. We can brutalize it. Or we can help lift it onto a higher level.”
Comment by Ciaran McCabe September 28, 2011 @ 7:36 amBill Bernbach
he must look at what those fuckers are doing with his baby and want to fucking kill.
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 8:24 amYou can choose to reflect society or seek to change it.
Having tonight met someone who spent the day in Nottingham and whose main recollection was that they still sell Tizer the “mixed-flavour drink”, I know which one I’d choose.
Comment by John September 28, 2011 @ 8:36 amI like Tizer.
Comment by northern September 28, 2011 @ 4:13 pmI loved this post Rob. Thanks.
Comment by Rafik September 28, 2011 @ 9:50 am*people are being aware of it*
the only sentence alive after the my large comment.
Comment by jacques cousteau September 28, 2011 @ 10:50 amSo sad
Northeners might hate each other, but there’s one thing that easily unites them.
Comment by northern September 28, 2011 @ 4:25 pmPrejuduce against Southerners
A lot of London agencies look down on Northern agencies…
Comment by Rob Mortimer September 28, 2011 @ 6:28 pmIt’s not only looking down on other people to justify their own situation (which has been scientifically proven as correct and significant), but in this case – group stereotyping – there’s a second and more dominant force why we distance ourselves from a ‘lower class’: the social group attribution.
Comment by adphyco September 28, 2011 @ 6:39 pmIt’s without any doubt that this “looking down upon” originates from an aversion in a certain behavior, attitude or action you perceive to notice a lot in the certain (mostly minority) group. And that is exactly why people tend to believe a certain behavior is more observed within one group of people. The mind is so constructed that is links more positive emotions, thoughts and memories towards the in-group (“we”) and negative ones towards the out-group (“them”). What belongs to the in- or out-group depends on whether it belongs to the majority or not. “Black people commit more crimes”, “All Muslims are terrorists” … etc. are but a few general stereotypes that can be explained by this mechanism.
I think if you’d like to use advertising as a weapon against this stereotyping you should focus on this. Try to 1) eliminate the separation between the in- and the out-group and 2) try to link as much negative feelings towards the in-group (ex: we commit as much crimes as them) as you’ll link positive ones towards the out-group (ex: look how many degrees people in that group get).
This video does that well http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/44679119
Comment by Rob Mortimer September 28, 2011 @ 8:20 pmYeh, saw the images last weekend as well. Unbelievable this could happen. There’s another social psychological explanation for this behavior (the wearing of the uniform), but i’ll save Andy a new heart attack.
Comment by adphyco September 28, 2011 @ 10:05 pmHaha, or you probably meant police brutality stereotyping? Well, I do think the host is fair enough in what he says (they also show and encourage the good cop and he also promises to withdraw his remarks if a real investigation will be done).
Comment by adphyco September 28, 2011 @ 10:22 pmlet me guess, adpsycho is a student.
why the fuck has campbell not commented on this shit? its a fucking sad day when even the fucking writer of this blog cant be fucked to write anything.
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 9:18 pmand guess what adphysco, campbells forgotten more than you know so stop trying to impress because its planner porn and absofuckinglutely nothing else.
said with love. tough fucking love.
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 9:24 pmBlimey, that’s not even grudgingly admitting Rob’s good at what he does, it’s a resounding endorsement.
Comment by northern September 28, 2011 @ 9:40 pmI never thought I would see the day.
im drunk.
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 10:26 pmi seem to be fucking defending campbell. i have no fucking idea how or why. it wont happen afuckingain so apologies to studentpsycho.
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 9:38 pmFor 10 minutes straight I’ve been doubting whether or not to comment on this as I think writing “fucking” on an internet board over and over again and trying to have or actually trying to break down any online debate mostly proves how pointless and pathetic these really are and says a lot about the people behind these comments. Guess you proved me right. … I may be still a student (you’re right about that), but God, did you made me realize I don’t have to prove myself to anybody after reading this lowlife crap. I won’t answer this anymore.
Comment by adphyco September 28, 2011 @ 9:53 pm@Adphyco I think you might be new here, this is just the usual banter between the regulars of this blog. You’ll actually find the people here (excl myself) are some of the smartest and most genuine in adland. This is where they go nuts, so please don’t take offence.
Comment by Rob Mortimer September 28, 2011 @ 10:15 pmif this sort of shit upsets you, youre in for a shit time in the real world. and ive done my shit, so get back to me when youve done something or anything of fucking repute and i might think twice about what youre saying.
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 10:24 pmI don’t think they teach ‘dealing with sarcastic creative crazy people’ at uni Andy, cut em some slack eh?
Comment by Rob Mortimer September 28, 2011 @ 10:27 pma morning thrashing with the cane would be a great fucking lesson to adland life.
ok adpsycho, maybe i gave you too much shit too fucking early so ill semi apologise which anyone on here will tell you is fucking rare. word of advice talking like a professor doesnt make you look smart it makes you look like someone who wants to look smart which only washes with people who dont fucking matter. like branding consultants. remember that and dont do anything campbell says and it might all work out for you.
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 10:42 pmdont put yourself down mortimer, youre quite smart. for a planner. low fucking base though.
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 10:47 pmLow base… spoken like a true market researcher or planner Andy.
Comment by Rob Mortimer September 29, 2011 @ 8:44 pmShould I be worried?
Adphyco, Rob M is right, don’t take things too personally, it’s how things go on round here. And don’t be too quick to discount Andy. He is rude and angry but he’s smart and successful, even if he now prefers keeping the Canadian housing market afloat rather than make ads.
Comment by Pete September 28, 2011 @ 10:31 pmwanker. accurate wanker. but wanker.
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 10:43 pmSaint Andy is keeping it real for all of us. You’ll be worshipping at his feet soon enough adphyco, if you know what’s good for you.
Comment by Billy Whizz September 28, 2011 @ 10:50 pmfuck all this, where the fuck is campbell? hes been active on fucking faceshit but done fuckall on here. cant fucking believe im complaining about him not violating my mind with his shitty comments but dont mistake it for me missing him. i miss him like i miss a good shit after a vindaloo. i just wish he was as easy to make disappear after 2 fucking flushes.
Comment by andy@cynic September 28, 2011 @ 10:56 pmOk, no matter what I say now, I will look like a whining little bitch anyway. I have been reading this blog for a while, yet not the comments. I’m sorry … i guess (?), this looks like a small select club of get-alongs, so my analogies for invading your space. ;). Cheers.
Comment by adphyco September 28, 2011 @ 11:00 pmEveryone here is actually pretty friendly, we just bitch between ourselves a lot! Just end every comment with “Bloody Andy” and you are on your way…
Comment by Rob Mortimer September 28, 2011 @ 11:07 pmyou read the posts and not the fucking comments? thats your second fucking mistake.
dont fret. well fucking sort you out.
Comment by andy@cynic September 29, 2011 @ 6:33 am“The French look down on everything”… haha…
Hopefully we have a sense of humor too!
Interesting post!
Comment by Dany Vilela October 4, 2011 @ 5:07 pmyes, your language and your fucked up presidents wife.
Comment by andy@cynic October 5, 2011 @ 8:16 am[…] we don’t like to acknowledge that, we like defining people by the cliches that make us feel better for the situation we’re […]
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