jmc_bks

I noticed an ad on the wall in the Metro last night that just pissed me off. Two photos of the same guy, side by side. In one, he's reading a romance novel and the caption is "Average subway reading." In the other, he's reading Plato's Republic and the caption is "Greater Washington subway reading." The small print went on to talk about the Greater Washington Initiative, and how educated people are in this area.

WTF? First, I've never seen a guy on the Metro reading a romance novel as lurid as the one the guy in the ad was. The newspaper or Express or magazine is more the norm, either that or work papers. And the only people I see reading "serious" stuff -- students. Second, does anyone really think that reading Plato means you are smart? Seriously, it was required reading in freshman philosophy in college. Every moron in my class had to read it -- it didn't mean they were smart or ed-jah-micated, it just meant it was mandatory. Third, talk about an insult to romance readers everywhere. We are apparently undereducated and not the target audience (or desired workforce) for Greater Washington.

Talk about pretentious.

So what is this GWI that is responsible for the ad? According to its website, it is the "regional economic development marketing organization that assists firms in expanding their business in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland." ~~I'm thinking about sending them an email about their stereotypes and assumptions.~~ My letter is ready, but for proofing by a friend, and will be sent this evening.