Did I go to far? (1 Viewer)

[Mark_Mac]

I printed out some of those business cards at widescreenadvocate.com and went to BestBuy. At my location the movies have a clear strip of plastic that holds them in place and they also put the price information here. Well, I slipped some of those business cards in behind the plastic strips in front of the fullscreen selections when no one was looking. This is the second week I have done this. I also thought about designing a t-shirt that had pan&scan vrs widescreen info on the back. I would wear the shirt every time I would go to buy DVD's. Then I would go and stand by the full screen selections. Have I gone to far?
business card

 

[Ken Seeber]

Uh, designing and wearing a T-shirt, then loitering in the DVD section, would probably be going too far.

 

[Mark_Mac]

Oh, come on...I'd still be buying my 2 or 3 dvd's. I dont think there is anything wrong with showing your love for a hobby. It would be tasteful and I wouldnt stand there all day like some freak.

 

[Jon Robertson]

This is the second week I have done this.

That brought a smile to my face.
Although your heart is in the right place and unlike most here you're going out there and actually doing something, I can't help but find your behaviour slightly...unsettling.
Sorry, but don't you think you'd get kicked out the store after too long?

 

[RobertCharlotte]

I'm gonna take off my thinking cap and pretend to be a full screen supporter (FSS) here for a minute and tell you that if I saw that card, it would make me think somebody was saying "Why (do we need) widescreen? The picture is much easier to see in full screen!"

It's a noble effort, but one that can probably get you ejected from the store and will, I honestly believe, confuse the very people you're trying to help.

Just my two cents.

 

[Paul O]

You would probably scare a lot of people as you manuever to put yourself into a position to be seen while they happily peruse their purchases - hell, you'll probably drive them to the VHS section so they could avoid you. Yes, I think thats going to far.

 

[Mark_Mac]

Let me add that I printed out these cards with the intention of using them for 1on1 encounters. I was at BB when I noticed that there was a gap that one of those cards would fit perfect. I couldnt help myself...I admit the t-shirt may be going to far but come on. I just was frustrated when I saw this huge section of full screen DVD's

 

[GlennH]

Not to be pedantic, but you keep typing "go to far" when you should be typing "go too far" -- there's a second "o" on the word when used this way.
I applaud your zealotry for the OAR cause. Just make sure you don't scare any women and children.

 

[MaxY]

Yeah ther real way to do it if the image is on the back of your shirt is to step in front of the person while they are looking at DVDs so all they see is your back.
Then step aside and say I didn't see you there sorry.
Max

 

[Steve Tannehill]

I tried a different technique, taking a lesson from one of my cats.
I went into Best Buy, and when I saw a standup display of full-screen DVD's, I peed on it. Based on the reaction of the people around me, this worked!

But seriously, people in general don't seem to like being approached by strangers in stores. A passive campaign--leaving the business cards in prominent places--can't hurt. Worst case, someone will come by and toss them. Best case, someone will see the card and start to notice the difference between the two formats.
- Steve

 

[Joe McKeown]

Steve,
THAT is why I still miss your website.

 

[Mark_Mac]

Thanks for correcting me Glenn . Finally..someone.. Steve, thank you for seeing it my way. I remember someone posted a story about using someone's dollar bill to demonstrate Pan&scan vrs Widescreen were they ripped the sides off of old George. Funny but risky...I think thats going too far.

 

[DaveF]

"Have I gone to far?"
Legally? Beats me.
Socially? Depends. I personally wouldn't do that; I'm not one for hassling the minimum wage workers who gotta deal with the fallout.
That said, you are engaged in a what I think is correctly labeled as Culture Jamming. (although that is usually anti-consumerism, whereas your actions are pro-consumerism.) My limited understanding is that an aspect of culture jamming is to use Corporations' strengths against them (sort of a judo thing, I s'pose). You're doing this by piggybacking onto the store's efforts to sell people stuff, to "sell" your viewpoint as well.
Here's some websites:
AdBusters
Culture Jamming Theory
Not my cup of tea, generally, but it's got merits.

 

[ScottL]

Going to far??....bah!

Way to go Mark!

Scott

 

[Brian_L_Kleis]

Mark,

I have no idea where you're located, but if you were in my local San Francisco Best Buy, I'd be the first to come up and shake your hand. I've done my own little part by only buying the OAR releases, signing various petitions, and not having patronized LackLuster Video for a long time now. But you're doing something more active, and as long as it's not the "pissing on the display" (wow, that's funny...) or something outright illegal, go ahead and show off your support... Right on, man....

Brian

 

[Mark_Mac]

Scott and Brian,
Thanks for supporting my unusual social behavior. I must say with all the recent OAR activity I thought my efforts would be more Appreciated. I was really starting to feel bad for what I did.

Socially? Depends. I personally wouldn't do that; I'm not one for hassling the minimum wage workers who gotta deal with the fallout.

Im not sure what your talking about DaveF but the last thing I wanted to do was hassle someone.:frowning:

 

[Jack Briggs]

Question is, is this legal?
I applaud your enthusiasm. But people might think more about you than they will about what you're saying. Just a little reality check here.
Steve: I tried the pissing approach too. You discover just how many friends you really have when trying to raise bail money.

 

[Sarah S]

Have you thought about taking along a friend who can come up & "notice" your shirt (or business cards or whatever) and talk with you (in a carrying tone, and with other shoppers present) about OAR? You might even be able to draw other people into your conversation.

 

[BenjaminG]

I tried a different technique, taking a lesson from one of my cats.

I have never laughed so much since... well Warner in R4 relased Harry Potter only in pan n scam!

 

[Mark_Mac]

Sarahs thinking....maybe my wife....ya right No really my wife was with me and she walked away because she thought I was going to get thrown out of the store. So I knew that I was taking some what of a chance but like I said I had to do it. Shit man my tv is 16x9, I want my DVD's in OAR. Really Sarah i would but Im a horible actor.