Sunday
I am not a serious photographer like some other Samizdatistas. I've never had a camera before. So my apologies for the quality of my snaps. I thought I might start using my new phone, which comes with a camera, to record the bullying advertising I see everywhere in London.
That was my intention. However, the first thing that struck my eye yesterday was not direct scaremongering or threat on behalf of the authorities, more an accidental declaration of the New Labour credo:
This is what life is like in the convergence to the total state: ordinary traffic markers acquire political meaning. The dumb stones and steel become eloquent of our masters' will.
I’ve been quite struck for some time by the use of the “bare participle” as the grammatical category of choice for propaganda. I’m always meaning to collect real world examples, but it’s easy to just think them up off the top of your head – I’m sure the following can be found somewhere:
Keeping you informed.
Looking after your needs.
Making sure you are safe.
Posted by Trofim at April 2, 2006 12:16 PM
"NEW NO LEFT TURN BAN AHEAD"
Is this a ban on new 'no left turn's?
Or a new ban on 'no left turn's?
Posted by Midwesterner at April 2, 2006 01:14 PM
We drove from Heathrow Airport into Central London last night and my Ukrainian girlfriend wondered why there are stripes denoting a separate lane along the M4. When I explained that they are 'priority' lanes for buses and politicians she immediately understood. "Ah, Chaika* lanes for the Politburo" was her response. Another sign of our times perhaps?
* - 'Chaika' (gull - from the GAZ M13 Chaika) was the slang used for the limousines favoured by the Soviet Politburo. They had similar 'priority' lanes painted along streets in Moscow and other cities.
Posted by Julian Taylor at April 2, 2006 01:51 PM
Good God - you have separate lanes for your politburo. Even in an America groaining under the jackbooted heel of Bushitler, I can assure you no such thing would be tolerated. I don't even think our political masters would attempt such a thing.
Posted by R C Dean at April 2, 2006 02:01 PM
No - we have priority lanes for Buses, which arrogant politicians decide don't apply to them.
Posted by ian at April 2, 2006 02:15 PM
"The dumb stones and steel become eloquent of our masters' will."
Man, you oughta be a writer.
That's a sensational turn of phrase, right there.
Posted by Billy Beck at April 2, 2006 03:38 PM
That M4 bus lane is also open to motorcycles, nothing beats hooning past the herd at seventy while they're stuck unmoving.
I get most annoyed by that 'C' congestion zone sign; " beyond here these are no longer your streets, but belong to the nastiest little ginger twat ever to oil his way into a post"
Posted by Robert at April 2, 2006 04:12 PM
