4 ms·

This reminds me of a thought experiment I was entertaining with a friend. Imagine a program within your city, that would allow citizens to travel by public tra

by dgzl 8y ago

This reminds me of a thought experiment I was entertaining with a friend. Imagine a program within your city, that would allow citizens to travel by public transit for free. All they would need to do is wear a pancho of sorts, completely covered with advertising. Although practical, this experience would be humiliating, annoying, and would probably be extremely beneficial for those who truly need it, and might be an eyesore for the rest of us. Should we support our friends in need, and encourage something like this? Or is selling ourself (and others) to marketing and advertising going to hurt us in the long run? If so, then what is a fair price for keeping ads away?

oever 8y ago
People wearing sponsored clothing like sporters is held back by the cost of enforcement. This cost will drop soon when enforcement is automated by algorithms and self-surveillance via mobile phone.
leetcrew 8y ago
> Although practical, this experience would be humiliating, annoying, and would probably be extremely beneficial for those who truly need it, and might be an eyesore for the rest of us. i don't think it's inherently humiliating to wear an advertisement. plenty of people pay to do this today (eg baseball hats and branded clothing). now if the advertising is tasteful/stylish enough that people actually want to wear it, probably no one will pay you to do it. perhaps a middle ground exists where people can get paid to wear moderately tasteful ads. for example, the livery of a formula one car is a bit garish, but they do seem to make some effort to make the colors work together.
- dgzl 8y ago
  I think that forcing other subjects on the bus to view your advertisement would be insulting and an eyesore for them, thus being humiliating for you. I don't think a single logo would suffice though, I'm thinking of a very large and obnoxious advertisement, with many brands and logos. Essentially, endless ads that are stitched together. I couldn't imagine this being comparable to a Nike t-shirt.
  - leetcrew 8y ago
    sure, it makes sense to go to the extreme "worst page on the internet" case for the purpose of your thought experiment. i'm just saying something like [0] might be enough ads to be worth money to someone, while not being completely ugly. i wouldn't wear something like that myself in public, but i wouldn't be too offended to stand near someone wearing it. [0] https://image.redbull.com/rbcom/010/2012-11-08/1331578705540_1/0001/1/3000/1/wings-for-life-race-suits.jpg https://image.redbull.com/rbcom/010/2012-11-08/1331578705540...

by dgzl 8y ago

oever 8y ago

People wearing sponsored clothing like sporters is held back by the cost of enforcement. This cost will drop soon when enforcement is automated by algorithms and self-surveillance via mobile phone.

leetcrew 8y ago

> Although practical, this experience would be humiliating, annoying, and would probably be extremely beneficial for those who truly need it, and might be an eyesore for the rest of us. i don't think it's inherently humiliating to wear an advertisement. plenty of people pay to do this today (eg baseball hats and branded clothing). now if the advertising is tasteful/stylish enough that people actually want to wear it, probably no one will pay you to do it. perhaps a middle ground exists where people can get paid to wear moderately tasteful ads. for example, the livery of a formula one car is a bit garish, but they do seem to make some effort to make the colors work together.

dgzl 8y ago
I think that forcing other subjects on the bus to view your advertisement would be insulting and an eyesore for them, thus being humiliating for you. I don't think a single logo would suffice though, I'm thinking of a very large and obnoxious advertisement, with many brands and logos. Essentially, endless ads that are stitched together. I couldn't imagine this being comparable to a Nike t-shirt.
- leetcrew 8y ago
  sure, it makes sense to go to the extreme "worst page on the internet" case for the purpose of your thought experiment. i'm just saying something like [0] might be enough ads to be worth money to someone, while not being completely ugly. i wouldn't wear something like that myself in public, but i wouldn't be too offended to stand near someone wearing it. [0] https://image.redbull.com/rbcom/010/2012-11-08/1331578705540_1/0001/1/3000/1/wings-for-life-race-suits.jpg https://image.redbull.com/rbcom/010/2012-11-08/1331578705540...