Missed Opportunities

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February 24th, 2009 Comments

Bumper stickers, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Public causes, public selves | Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA | Feb 2009

We plaster our cars with bumper stickers to say something about ourselves, what causes we identify with, what brands we support, who we affiliate ourselves with, a snapshot of how we want to present ourselves to the public. Jokes show off our sense of humour, logos, causes and organizations create some color around how we spend our time, attention, focus and money. * They represent who we are (or aspire to be) at a particular moment of time.

But what happens after that moment of time passes?

Bumper stickers for presidential campaigns have always mystified me: I understand why and how campaigners and supporters use them to market their campaigns and causes; but what do we do with them after the campaigns are over and the elections are decided?

More pointed and relevant: who is creating new Obama bumper stickers to replace the Obama ‘08 stickers? Why aren’t we seeing new bumper stickers for new causes explicitly created to be applied over the old Obama ‘08 stickers?

How is our focus shifting from winning an election to governing a country?

The election finishes, we celebrate or bemoan the results, and then we go back to our lives and lose sight: we’re human. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

—

* BTW, Web badges aren’t that different from bumper stickers…

By Taylor Davidson. Posted February 24th, 2009. Category: Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Photography Comments

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ericajoh

I have never in my life seen that many bumper stickers on a car. I wonder who the owner of the car is.

"Web badges aren't that different..." - certainly true.

Taylor Davidson

That many stickers certainly isn't common, but it's not rare, especially out West, Pacific Northwest, etc.

Anil

I'm always fascinated by the election bumper stickers, which seem to stay on cars forever. My personal opinion is that people need to be especially hard and unforgiving on their elected officials - make them *earn* respect, and ultimately votes.

The modern world makes it too easy to to do things which make people feel like they are making a difference. Bumper stickers, Facebook groups, etc. Real change happens in the streets, courts, and public institutions.

But those things require more than pasting a sticker or clicking a mouse.

Taylor Davidson

I've always found the "temporary event" v. "permanent display" to be the most interesting aspect to bumper stickers.

What would happen if marketers saw a bumper sticker as a declaration of intent? As a sign of a willingness to support a cause and not just a specific event? Why don't we apply bumper stickers on top of other bumper stickers as the causes expand, change, grow?

Tactically, why don't we apply "Change" stickers on top of "Obama 08" bumper stickers? Why aren't we updated our bumper stickers, t-shirts or web marketing materials to reflect the continued interest, support and passion in government?

JY

I would say 95% of out-of-date bumper stickers remain on cars out of sheer laziness. I can only imagine the sight of this person's interior. Besides that Mexican tapestry, my guess is coins, receipts, wrappers and other miscellaneous debris.

kmikitson

and tattoos, aren't tattoos the same? a declarative and lasting statement about something you experience only in the moment.

Taylor Davidson

good call, except I think many people get tattoos as a declarative statement for something they will always experience, or a lasting reminder to themselves. not everyone, but many...