As the Future Becomes Present, the Past Looks Different
What do I mean by “As the Future Becomes the Present, the Past Starts to Look Different”?
Well, you have no doubt seen the indicators that “social mesh”– from 
Reality TV to ZipCar, from Jigsaw to LinkedIn — is changing our lives, businesses, and business models.
Global Communities, User-Generated Content, and an Always-On Net-Based Economy are allowing the fundamental rules to morph. Now there is a directory of mesh companies that’s quite interesting to peruse!
And as to the past looking differently from where we are, 3 pictures is worth 3,000 words! I include for you below some advertisements that were “the norm” 40-80 years ago. Just note how incongruent they seem with our current Western culture. Clearly these companies were addressing the desires of people in society — and still have — but the communication itself is now somewhere between comical and repulsive… [Aug. 6 Note: a fourth picture has been added since the "Soda Pop Association" was revealed to be a spoof].
What do you think and what else have you seen? Comments welcome below!
– Paul
PS. Registration closes tomorrow for the social media training that I mentioned my friend launched last month. and he’s now offering busy people “done for you” services as well. Whether or not you’re interested in the paid course, take advantage of your last opportunity to see the 3 free training videos and downloads — I definitely learned some new things!
Easier-to-Read Copy, added after the "Soda Pop Association" photo was reported as a spoof: Why we have the youngest customers in the business This young man is a 13 months old – and he isn’t our youngest customer by any means. For 7-up is so pure, so wholesome, you can even give it to babies and feel good about it. Look at the back of a 7-Up bottle. Notice that all our ingredients are listed. (That isn’t required of soft drinks, you know – but we’re proud to do it and we think you’re pleased that we do.) By the way, Mom, when it comes to toddlers – if they like to be coaxed to drink their milk, try this. Add 7-Up to the milk in equal parts, pouring the 7-Up gently into the milk. It’s a wholesome combination – and it works! Make 7-Up your family drink. You like it . . . it likes you! Nothing does it like Seven-Up!
Easier-to-Read Copy: Though she was a tiger lady, our hero didn't have to fire a shot to floor her. After one look at his Mr. Leggs slacks, she was ready to have him walk all over her. That noble styling sure soothes the savage heart! If you'd like your own doll-to-doll carpeting, hunt up a pair of these he-man Mr. Leggs slacks. Such as our new automatic wash wear blend of 65% Dacron® and 35% rayonincomparably wrinkle-resistant. About $12.95 at plush-carpeted stores.
Easier-to-Read Copy [Now believed to be a Spoof
Easier-to-Read Copy: My spirit -- the spirit of Christmas-giving -- is abroad in the land. A gift that expresses that spirit, and brings pleasure to every home, both great and small, is rare indeed. Such a gift, my friends, is LUCKY STRIKE.
13 Comments to “As the Future Becomes Present, the Past Looks Different”
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Paul you need a different graphic to express mesh. this is more of a screen, filter or bars (locked in, filtered out) and does not express the interactive and network aspects of the mesh.
Chris
The artist in me speaks out.
Hi Paul!
Could I copy the “How Soon Is Too Soon” ad for our school newsletter? It’s a great example that parallels parents’ current choices around hot-housing academics and use of electronic media.
-Briana
ummm… the cola ad is a spoof…
http://rjwhite.tumblr.com/post/472668874/fact-checking
Thanks for the comments and corrections!
Jiminy: I’ve added another “soda pop” advertisement — 7up — since there were plenty
Hi Paul,
Interesting
Thanks.
Mandi
I think your article was really a great kick off to a potential series of articles about this topic. So many users pretend to know what they are writing about when it comes to this stuff and in reality, very few people actually get it. You seem to understand it though, so I think you need to run with it. Thanks a lot!
You need to really think about building up this blog into a major voice in this field. You clearly have a grasp grasp of the areas all of us are browsing for on this website anyways and you could definitely even make a buck or three from some offers. I would dive into following recent topics and raising the volume of articles you put up and I bet you’d begin seeing some great traffic in the near future. Just an idea, good luck regardless!
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