The NSW RTA (Roads and Traffic Authority)’s newest ad campaign to tackle speeding, “Speeding. No-one Thinks Big of You“, has been reported by both the BBC (here) and Jezebel (here), my newest favourite source of trashy news. [As an aside, Jezebel's 'Snap Judgment' posts are gold.] I was surprised to learn that the little finger wagging it features was not an international sign of male inadequacy, with both outlets feeling the need to explain it. I guess it is a rather Australian way to tackle issues of speeding, something we’ve been doing for a long time. (If anyone can get proud about being the world leader in traffic ads, it’d be us…)
(American) Jezebel was pretty openly surprised:
“apparently, insulting an Aussie’s manhood is a more effective way to shame him into slowing down than images of death and dismemberment.”
Getting people to slow down is about as hard as getting them to drive less – though perhaps cheaper and easier . The RTA has said elsewhere that shock tactics aren’t working, so hopefully a fresh approach will have some impact.
I just followed your link and watched the ad. I actually think it’s a bit off. Why does having a small dick mean you’re less of a man?If the ad was trying to show that some activity made you less of a woman, then showed people indicating small breasts, would it ever get shown?
The good news Will, is that I’m pretty sure you’re not the kind of “man” that’s under attack here. Surely a public service message that aims to reduce the number of men who are tarnishing masculinity with aggressive/reckless behaviour and genital obsession has to have social benefits for all road users? V
P.S. I also think that there are plenty of ads linking women’s bodies to both their femininity and social worth, getting shown all the time, though generally with private rather than public money…