# What's The Most Evil Ad Medium Ever Devised **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 11, 2004, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776 "2004-03-11T22:18:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2017, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/61 "2017-12-23T15:23:19Z")
I read that some public schools sell ads for placement on standard school supplies. I think that is inappropriate. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2017, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/62 "2017-12-23T16:02:53Z")
I’ve got a story about those “store cards” that may change your minds about that. A couple of years ago I got a robocall advising me that a frozen dinner might have salmonella contamination. Because they knew my purchasing and phone number, I could take it back for refund and was darned glad I hadn’t eaten it. Sometimes “big brother” watches out _for_ you. ---
**Author:** ![Noel\_Prosequi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b19c9b/32.png) [@Noel\_Prosequi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noel_Prosequi)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2017, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/63 "2017-12-23T17:42:49Z")
There is a class of things that exist that follow the pattern “First guy to try X- marketing genius. 2nd, 3rd…nth guy? Uber-dickheads to a man.” A canonical example is the first guy who tried setting up a little mike and speaker outside his shop to spruik his wares. Brilliant. Every copycat arseclown since who chokes the amenity of indoor shopping malls to death with endless lines of screeching, wheedling cacophony? May they be perpetually rogered by Satan’s red hot barbed Poker of Lerv. While listening to playbacks of their own huckstering at shrieking volumes. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2017, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/64 "2017-12-23T18:24:00Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > I read that some public schools sell ads for placement on standard school supplies. I think that is inappropriate. Depends on what you mean by school supplies. I have the local school come by from time to time to ask for donations for their school. A common one is book covers. Do you feel it is inappropriate that I have my business logo on something that they asked me to donate to give to the kids? It is one of the few actual cash donations I give out, most of my donations are in the form of gift cards for charity raffles and auctions. I never really thought about it, they come by once a year asking for money, and I give it to them along with artwork for my logo. I honestly thought I was doing something useful for my community, I never stopped to consider it inappropriate. Anyway, the advertising that _I_ really hate is when someone puts a business card in a bag along with a rock and throws it on your driveway. I’ve actually called businesses that advertised like that, and told them that due to that practice, I will _never_ use their services. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/65 "2017-12-23T19:00:43Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Anyway, the advertising that _I_ really hate is when someone puts a business card in a bag along with a rock and throws it on your driveway. That’s really a thing? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2017, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/66 "2017-12-23T19:16:00Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > That’s really a thing? [Yep](http://www.richcontractor.com/hall-of-shame-a-flyer-and-rocks-in-a-clear-plastic-bag-on-my-driveway/). I’ve only gotten a few of them in my driveway over the years, but I find them rage inducingly annoying. When I was starting out in my business, my father had received one of these rocks in a bag at the end of his driveway advertising for one of my competitors. He though it was the best idea ever, and tried to convince me to do it as well. I refused, as I really don’t think that that is a valid strategy. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2017, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/67 "2017-12-23T20:02:15Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Back to Science Fiction stories, for a moment, if I may. > > I once read a short story (whose author eludes my memory) about an astronomer who notices an apparent anomalous motion in a LOT of stars. Just HUNDREDS of stars are changing their positions, relative to one another. It soon becomes so noticeable that EVERYONE notices it, and a world-wide ontological/cosmological/teleological crisis ensues. > > When the stars stop moving, they seem to spell out an advertisement for a particular brand of soap flakes. An evil genius had been moving air masses around to so distort the starlight reaching the planet’s surface that individual stars were appearing to move as though choreographed. Anyway, theyy made him turn the machine off, and the stars returned to their normal apparent positions. Lots of soap flakes were sold, though. > > I seem to recall reading the story during the years when my primary sources for SciFi were _Analog_, and _Isaac Asimov’s Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction._ > > But my vote for the most evil advertising medium is the political sound-bite. > [@Andy\_L](#): > > Here’s a long delayed response (hey, I wasn’t active on the Dope in 2004): This is a Fred Brown story called “Pi in the Sky” (see this description [Variety SF: Fredric Brown's "Pi in the Sky" (novelette, humor)](http://variety-sf.blogspot.com/2012/02/fredric-brown-pi-in-sky-novelette-humor.html)). Ho-lee crap. To paraphrase the words of Albus Dumbledore: _Help will always be given at the SDMB to those who ask for it._ ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2017, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/68 "2017-12-23T20:04:25Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I long for the day when we can say “ it’s a little known fact, but the Mariners stadium is officially named Safeco Field.” Like the Bay Bridge\* over the Chesapeake, we don’t have to use the official name. > > \*(if my memory from 8th grade is correct, the official name is The William Prescott Lane Memorial Bridge) 😕 What does William Prescott Lane sell? ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2017, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/69 "2017-12-24T20:55:40Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > I hate the practice of selling the naming rights to public buildings. I HATE having to call the local sports arena “Safeco Field.” Hate it hate it hate it hate it. > But not as much as stickers on apples. Well, in the intervening years you’ll be pleased to know that sports arenas have finally gotten their act together, with names like Smoothie King Center and KFC Yum! Center. Putting some balls back into arena names again, at last. And what will those poor cashiers do without apple stickers to read the codes from? ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2017, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/70 "2017-12-24T21:28:32Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Anyway, the advertising that _I_ really hate is when someone puts a business card in a bag along with a rock and throws it on your driveway. I’ve actually called businesses that advertised like that, and told them that due to that practice, I will _never_ use their services. Pretty obviously the next step will be to put a business card in a bag along with a rock, and throw it through your window. _CRASH_ > [@](#): > > BROKEN WINDOWS? > Call Acme Window Repair Today For A Free Estimate! > (404) 555-1234 ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2017, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/71 "2017-12-24T22:48:10Z")
> [@MEBuckner](#): > > _CRASH_ > > > [@](#): > > > > BROKEN WINDOWS? > > Call Acme Window Repair Today For A Free Estimate! > > (404) 555-1234 This just in: _the owner of Gazquette & Paine Windowshop has been fined for throwing Acme Window Repair advertising rocks through neighborhood windows_. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2017, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/72 "2017-12-24T23:18:50Z")
One dystopian idea I read on a forum somewhere was a DRM cybernetic implant where you can either daydream about a product or skip it by devoting a percentage of your mental CPU cycles to mining bitcoins, or some futuristic equivalent. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2017, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/73 "2017-12-25T04:25:49Z")
> [@Larry\_Mudd](#): > > Ha! That reminds me of a Heinlein short story (or was it Bradbury?) in which an advertising company paid megabucks to subvert a lunar experiment involving dispersement of luminescent dust so that it spelled out the the name of a certain soft drink in its distinctive cursive script on the surface of the moon. Arthur C. Clarke’s _Venture to the Moon_ series. Mrs. Cad moved my copy of The Other Side of the Sky or I could find which exact story it is in but I think it is _Watch this Space_. Hopefully Larry Mudd will continue his tradition of showing up each Boxing Day. ---
**Author:** ![mistymage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mistymage/32/459_2.png) [@mistymage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistymage)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2017, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/74 "2017-12-25T05:08:31Z")
Who looks up outside? People who see the launch of a rocket and think it’s an alien ship or something. Ads in the atmosphere will have to compete with ads in hand and looking down has _always_ been easier feeling than looking up. Double entendre meant. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2017, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/75 "2017-12-25T14:45:45Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > When I was starting out in my business, my father had received one of these rocks in a bag at the end of his driveway advertising for one of my competitors. He though it was the best idea ever, and tried to convince me to do it as well. I would have asked him if he meant rocks in a bag advertising my business or rocks in a bag advertising the competitor’s business. I think the latter would be more effective, if one is sufficiently oafish to do either. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2017, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/76 "2017-12-25T14:49:21Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > [What about The Presidential Coin?](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/its-very-gold-the-presidential-coin-undergoes-a-trumpian-makeover/2017/12/22/23c8b11e-e5bb-11e7-ab50-621fe0588340_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_trumpcoin405pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.1e23f45de237) Just be glad that he evidently never heard of [Rai stones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rai_stones). ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2017, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/77 "2017-12-25T15:45:05Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Just be glad that he evidently never heard of [Rai stones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rai_stones). All we need is for the King of Ego to openly brag about having bigger stones than anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2017, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/78 "2017-12-25T15:53:48Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > All we need is for the King of Ego to openly brag about having bigger stones than anyone else. I’d like to see Kellyanne handle that one. The question that follow the comment that is, not tanny danny’s little huevos. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/79 "2017-12-25T17:39:16Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > Is anyone else reminded of Chairface from The Tick? First thing that came to my mind … that should be worrisome to you … Rumor has it Microsoft once considered selling advertising space on the error messages from Windows … but I don’t think that’s what the OP is looking for … I’ll go with three foot long receipt for the purchase of four #6 washers … God that irritates me, it’s a tax deduction and I have to save all that crap for eight years … 12¢ of paper for 8¢ worth of merchandise … insane … ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2017, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776/80 "2017-12-25T21:08:23Z")
And to accept the Royal Thread Award for the most endearing, warmest, Rockwellian, wonderfully homespun version of advertizing: [The Folksmen](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDR9Xh0GPeQ) EE…A…Ooo’s… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-evil-ad-medium-ever-devised/233776.md?page=5)