Why Aren't Billboards Banned in Oakland?

[Stephen1110]

Originally Posted by CirclingLogan

Small, vocal groups are the only people who've ever changed anything for the better

This is true

[Ultrarunner]

Billboards are not just corporate...

The one across from where I worked often had non-profit and goverment information.

Many times there were messages from the SPCA and other times events that were coming to the Bay Area...

[sav858]

Originally Posted by CirclingLogan

Small, vocal groups are the only people who've ever changed anything for the better, so I'll take that as a compliment. They're often far ahead of the flock.

Sure while that is true is many cases the opposite can occur too. I'm sure you wouldn't feel the same way about some small, vocal group advocating something you highly disagree with.

I think they bother most people with a certain aesthetic sense, and who've extensively experienced cities with urban cores that lack them. They are garish, corporate blight, simple as that. Over the last century or so, the public has been numbed into a stupor when it comes to the aesthetic of the civic space. Beautiful architecture, proper urban design and public art has been replaced with whatever can be quickly, cheaply built to enrich the few, while blasting vulgar advertising via massive billboards. "I dunno, they've never bothered me", the people shrug, as they fill their bellies with fast food fare procured from the safety of their vehicle's seat, "they keep me entertained as I sit in this endless freeway traffic..." For a second -- an absurdly brief moment -- there seems to be a flash of realization in their eyes. But, alas, it disappears as quickly as it came. 'Game of Thrones' returns to HBO tonight and their mind drifts to that. A few buzzards circle in the distance. A lone sheep has separated from its flock and died.

They probably do bother a fair amount of people at least a little but like I said not as much as you. But now the problem is you've pretty much have began to insult and stereotype everyone that isn't as passionate about the issue as you, so whatever valid message you may have had is kind of lost at this point. Probably not the tactic most small, vocal groups who do enact positive change take IMO.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

Billboards are not just corporate...

The one across from where I worked often had non-profit and goverment information.

Many times there were messages from the SPCA and other times events that were coming to the Bay Area...

This is true, not all advertising is bad or corporate. I'm sure a fair amount of people have been made aware of non-profit/charity/govt services and programs via billboards.

[CirclingLogan]

That was a hyperbolic, dramatic post for fun. Not supposed to be taken seriously; I thought I was over-the-top enough to indicate that lol