It’s Friday. So take five and enjoy this brilliant street art by Joshua Allen Harris. His ‘air zoo’ and animal installations on the streets of New York are made by tying plastic bags to the subway vents. It’s one of those simple, brilliant creative ideas that makes you smile and ‘I wish I’d thought of that’. Sadly I can’t help myself also thinking about how it could be used to promote something and it’s a reminder that attention-grabbing stunts can be cheap as old chips.
This may surprise some of our loyal readers — and if you roll your eyes, I’ll kick your ass — but I’m actually a bit of a tech-head. Not quite sure if I fall into the early-adopter stage, but that’s based more on economics rather than desire. (In other words, I can only by so many PDAs before my wife starts throwing my clothes on to the driveway.) I always want the newest, latest, tech-awesomest stuff.
That said, I’m always amazed by people who demand that we use technology for technology’s sake. Take VoIP for instance. When used in a corporate environment, this makes zero sense. For the love of God, THERE’S A PHONE ON YOUR DESK! Do we really need to improve on the phone? When was the last time you hung up the phone and said, “jeeze, that experience was horrible.” When was the last time your phone didn’t work — and your internet connection did?
(Same thing with video over the internet. Not talking about mobile video or youtube-like clips. But those who insist that content should be enjoyed on a computer screen — WHEN YOU HAVE A 42-inch PLASMA IN THE DEN!)
Here’s the bottom line: The ability to do something with more advanced technology doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better. Technology for technogy’s sake is kind of lame. I once worked with a woman who would label people who were just trying to hard with their wardrobe — you know they type I mean. She’d look at an outfit, shake her head, and remark, “Deliberate Chic.” That’s what a lot of technology is. If you’re trying to save a couple of bucks, fine. Otherwise? Using the computer to make a call is deliberate chic.
Same with creativity. I’ve told anyone that cares to listen — and the numbers dwindle with each passing day — that there’s a difference between what Claire, Jeremy and I do… and creativity for creativity’s sake. You can have the coolest, wildest, most original creative idea in the universe. If it doesn’t sell sneakers, it ain’t worth nothin’. I’d rather just recommend a press release.
xoxo
Marc
