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A few years ago there was a publicity campaign for Hulme, a fairly shitty part of Manchester (think council flats and a strong smell of urine). As part of the campaign the council used billboards showing a smiling family above the caption, 'Hulme. A Great Place to Live!'
The problem is that Hulme
is not really a great place to live. Last time I went there what came to mind was 'Hulme. Busy on Giro day.' As a result I expect people would just laugh at the signs and go on their merry way.
Since we couldn't make people consciously want to move to a bad area, how about trying some subliminal messages? I have a habit while walking of watching the pavement about 10 feet ahead of me, just to make sure that i don't walk in anything nasty. If we could print very faint messages on paving slabs the space could be sold to businesses or used by local councils.
Think of the effect of subtle messages such as
'Hulme. 50% reduction in crime since 1998.'
'Compton. It's not as bad as you think.'
'Smile. You're not that ugly.'
'Mmmmm... Soup.'
'Coca-Cola. Because we want our name on everything.'
A sign made by KLFer Bill Drummond
http://www.b3ta.com/board/999293
not exactly subliminal. [my face your, Oct 05 2004]
subliminal
http://bernie.cncfa...tlefield_debunk.htm
[mrthingy, Oct 05 2004]
[link]
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Some assistance for USAians:
council flats = public housing
Giro day = welfare check day |
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(I had to google up the latter one, new to me). |
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Actually, the idea that subliminal messages have any effect has been debunked. |
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Actually, the (croissant) idea that subliminal (croissant) messages have any (croissant) effect has been debunked. |
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I think the point is that when people with jobs and money move into an area the area improves. If nobody moves in, house prices go down and there is a cycle of decline. Convincing people to get over their negative assumptions with a little subtle advertisement would encourage regeneration, making Hulme a 'good' area. |
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Originally, I'd thought this to tell folks to slow down - such as:
Slow down dammit, 'wax lives here.
I always wanted to repaint the town next to my hometown's entry sign "***dsay - wipe that smirk off your face", as ***dsayites walk around with smirks on their faces all the <obligatory cursing>damn time. Even if we did kick their asses</obligatory cursing> at every sport (well, most of the time).
Inexpensive... and built to stay that way.
Lower property taxes! Here! Now!
It's a buyer's market! |
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Basically, I think yoU have To take actIon if you want to make Hulme An improVEd place To live. yO. |
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These could be spelled out in dog turds,
read a letter at a time,
as you walk: |
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Now if this was done with the cracks in the pavement/sidewalk. |
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I live in Hulme, mate, and I'm coming over to kick your arse! Bloody wanker... |
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You live in Hulme? I'm safe. It'll take you weeks to save the bus fare to come out to Stalybridge ;) |
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Oh for Pete's sake can you at least wait till after tea?
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Er, well, it's the Hulme section of New York City, so yeah, it might be a while. |
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Someone from New York saying words like "bloody" and "wanker"? snarfyguy, have you spent quite a bit of time on our fair isle? |
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"Hulme. At least it's not Moss Side" |
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Also [sambwiches], if you know where Afleck's Palace is (not far from Picadilly, go right down the alley before Debenhams), there are poems in the pavement. Each stanza is separate (or is it each line?) and they are cast in metal and sunk into the concrete. |
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