Was perusing the Library of Congress' American Memories website, and found a silly bit of mid-1920s social commentary about advertising.
"All Wrong" by Richard Connell is a short piece of farcical fiction which pokes fun at posters on New York City's subways. The author shows how subway ads stimulate feelings of fear and social insecurity in those who read them.
You can start reading it here.I'll admit I had never heard of Richard Connell before, but according to his Wikipedia entry, he was quite the well-known sort, and was even nominated for an Academy Award for his story that was used for Capra's Meet John Doe. In fact, he wrote a BUNCH of stories--it seems his 1924 short story "The Most Dangerous Game" was the most enduring, though. Eight different movies used it, the latest being Lethal Woman in 1989. 1987's Slave Girls From Beyond Infinity sounds like a good one, too.
Anyway, I have a meeting to attend now, so all of you amuse yourselves with the amazing variety of stuff out there.
Posted by Terry Oglesby at August 3, 2006 10:56 AM