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FUCK BARCLAYS AND FUCK BARCLAYS CYCLE HIRE
Fuck Barclays (Dave House 2010)
Brother and general fellow man who likes to spot things of social interest took this great photo today.
Spotted outside where he is freelancing as a Graphic Designer, he noticed this amazing bit of Street Art come Graffiti Tagging come Public Art come Social Commentary come vandalism. The victim of which was Barclays Cycle Hire.
Whoever is responsible – I shake thee by the hand and doff my hat to you – Fine work Sir/Madam. Please do more similar acts of genius vandalism and post the images on this blog!
And hats off to you Dave for your fine eye (although your eye your world is not as good as ourworldmyeye).
Check out Dave House’s Design company, Carbonbased Design at www.carbonbaseddesign.co.uk. Better still, also check out his alter ego as musical Creator The Reverse Engineer: www.thereverseengineer.co.uk
An interesting point arose in regards to this post – a response if you will, on Elizabeth Lumley’s blog – http://finextra.com/community/blogs.aspx?mem_id=36965
Basically, the post questioned the validity of the whole Fuck Barclay’s thing, alongside someone else on the same day, having a dig at Twitter turning into a corporate monster.
What is interesting is that the thought dawned on me, as I was doing this post, that perhaps – given that it was a public cycle hire scheme that Barclay’s were sponsoring, it was a bit cruel to have a dig at them.
The thought dawned on me, and there it rested for a second, before I returned to my usual self and over wrote my cautiousness on this matter. Either way, after reading the comments on Elizabeth Lumley’s blog, I felt I would clarify my views in this area, as it is an important one.
Here is the quote:
As for ‘Fuck Barclays’. Well, I’ve had my own share of corporate rage from time to time (I will never fly in a Virgin plane – don’t ask). But London now has a public cycle hire scheme man! That’s a cool thing. Since we live in a world where no one wants to pay taxes anymore, yet complain loudly whenever the government needs to make cuts – how does anything get paid for?
So, yes everything does have to be paid for yes it is brilliant when things like a public cycle hire system get implemented. However, I am at core a socialist and think that something like a cycle hire system in our capital is an essential expenditure. Ultimately, a scheme like this, if properly run – will make money. The initial outlay has to come from somewhere, but why shouldn’t our taxes not pay for that? Then charge a small and modest amount for using the bikes and when viewed from a long term perspective, it will pay for itself. Ultimately, it is our obsession with the capitalist system that means everything’s success is measured in commercial or monetary reward. This scheme should not make money – it should just pay for itself. Same as any natural monopoly – trains, utilities and such like. Commercial pressure does not always result in a successful organisation.
This scheme is nothing new, it has been replicated from a successful system that has been running in cities like Paris, Barcelona, Stockholm and Dublin for some time. The estimated running costs in London were £2.3 million a year. Firstly, the subscription and usage charges are no doubt going to raise a fair bit of this money and what small amount is left over – well that should just be covered by the tax system. After all, promotion a healthy population saves a countless amount in the long term.
So the other point running alongside the fact the costs of this scheme would not be a huge amount for the public purse to swallow, is the whole concept of getting a sponsor. Personally, I am sick of branding and my brain feels raped by the commercial marketing machine. I do not want to see adverts constantly, I do not want to be bombarded with messages of persuasion from brand after brand and greedy bastard after greedy bastard.
I would prefer to pay out a few pounds more a month in taxes. Don’t get me wrong, I am on a shit wage and I moan about how much I have to pay out with the next man. However, I would still opt to contribute a bit more from my hard earned graft, than to always have to have something tainted with the dirty brush of capitalism and branding. Better still – don’t waste so much money on project managers, quango’s, communications advisers and the like. Don’t waste money on Trident and re-branding Government departments. Spend the money on a few little public projects that offer some form of independent and guiltless pleasure.
Now I am sure many people would wholly disagree with me and state they would prefer a little advert from Barclay’s than pay more tax and of course that is every-one’s decision to make. But, banks are bastards – they make their profits at others expense and rely on debt and servitude to make their way in the world. For me, to get on a Boris Bike would always be a little reminder of this and a small kick in the bollocks. Obviously the scheme is great and the fact public hire bikes are in our capital is nothing but a good thing (and a long time coming) – but a small kick in the bollocks it remains.
For once, can’t we just have a sensible and well thought out initiative such as this, be a celebration of the virtues of a democratic people focused society that we should be striving to live in?
Love taking photos. Love everything about it. I love to talk about it. I love to dream about it. I see the wonderful inspiring photos online and wish I can be the one taking it. yeah, that’s my dream. PhotoGal
Why the swear word? There’s plenty of derogatory terms which aren’t so crude.
Could have been a good form of protest, but the use of profanity just makes them look childish and immature.
Really?
I am not so sure, I think swear words are part of our very rich and diverse language, especially these days.
Perhaps the constant use of swear words might be childish and immature – but I think a well used swear word is a good thing and draws a level of attention to something.
In this case – I suspect the impact would have been lost if something crude was not used.
Interesting view though, I will think on as not sure what I think.
love the picture, wish I’d seen it, yes there is too much advertising and branding everywhere. Though to be honest when I see their pathetic attempts to seduce me into buying their wares, it just reminds me how much I hate them all