"As stated in the article, those huge billboards and advertisements are part of the of Paris cityscape. It would be like demanding all of the billboards should be taken down in Times Square. They are part of the urban landscape, and if people don't want to see them they should move. You don't go to NYC expecting to see cows."
Hmm, that's actually not a bad idea. Here's my response:
And regarding the Paris landscape, it's really up to the city and residents what they feel is important. Do you know what they did in Sao Paulo? They banned virtually all ads from the city. Click here to see what happened in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Since that time 70% have approved of this ban.
NY and Paris can have their visual pollution; L.A.'s got my vote to shut it down. Bring in some nice trees and sculpture.
Here's a great quote I came across on that news story about Sao Paulo...
“Presence always trumps presents.” From Joe Kelly of Campaign for a commercial-free childhood
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Some of you anti-billboard people crack me the hell up!
ReplyDeleteDo you realize the amount of people who depend on such for a living? Ad agencies, sign installers, print companies, engineers, lawyers, landlords & etc.
Think about what would happen to the economy of New York and LA? Seriously, take some time and step away from this blog and think about the havoc it would do to the above mentioned economies.
I understand your anger towards what your former landlord did to you, but think about what an all out ban on outdoor advertising would do to NY and LA. In addition to the above mentioned, think about all the taxes, office space & etc would be lost.
Sao Pauolo is a joke.
NYC and LA are not like Vermont. I agree billboards do NOT belong in Vermont, but I think they are a perfect fit for NYC and LA.
I personally know about 100 people that are employed because of the billboard industry. And if the industry was shut down, they would be all immediately be unemployed. Is that what your really desire for people of this country?
You make some great points and you’re right, getting rid of all the billboards is not the answer.
ReplyDeleteI do understand the economics of the situation. The link I sent about Sao Paulo is really news to me and I don’t know how they survived the economic fallout that must have went along with their actions. To compare Sao Paulo to Vermont is not fair at all. Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and it rivals NYC in terms of dense population and skyscrapers. It’s a huge city and removing all the billboards must have been a tremendous undertaking.
I never considered myself an “anti-billboard activist”, but now being affected by this injustice, and on top of that -- being tossed out of my office like a throw-away dinner plate, made me realize that lines have to be drawn somewhere. Like most folks in L.A. (I’m a resident for over 30 years), I never gave billboards a second thought. I’ve accepted them as part of the landscape. I don’t believe you choose to become an activist, sometimes it chooses you. Now I have very strong views regarding the signage problem in L.A.. I drafted a petition and submitted it to the city council – see http://www.petitiononline.com/sg10801/petition.html. It only addresses the supergraphics issue. That’s what this whole site is about – 10801takesigndown. The purpose of this blog is to support the rights of the tenants at 10801 against the injustice that has occurred and prevent future episodes – it was not set up as an anti-billboard activist site.
And regarding anti-billboard activists – they are not extremists by any measure. They all have a passion and are voicing what most Americans want. Who likes advertising tossed down their throat? If it wasn’t for a few vocal supporters, this crap would be on every building.
With the advances in digital technology, the proliferation of digital billboards and supergraphics must be dealt with, and that’s where we are today. Unfortunately, I got the shaft on vocalizing my opposition, but welcome the new changes in my life and will turn this injustice into an opportunity. That’s the way I live my life.
Thanks for the dialogue – I believe it’s this process that will help shape the policies we all have to end up living with.