In a blog that features visuals, a few words will definitely help to create an aura of seriousness around it, unless of course, what is written falls short of expectations. I thought of this title because more often than not, it is visuals that are used to break the monotony of words. Magazines, newspapers, tabloids, online, advertising...everywhere visuals create that much needed break from the monotony of words. The theory is that words, people do not read. Period. They browse, glance and hover through matter. But they never read. Hence, the glitz and glamour of magazines that feature beautiful people, with matter laid in such a manner that it almost looks like an apology. I guess that it is acceptable in the case of certain magazines. However, it is lamentable to know that advertising too is treated like this. That is, if at all, words are featured. In most advertisng today, it is the visual that plays the key role, the selling part. Visuals sell more than words. Visuals persuade more than words. Visuals excite more than words. Visuals. Worth more than a thousand...
Is this really a dangerous precedent or is this the way things are going to be? Whatever happened to the craft of writing? The allusions, the word play, the double entendre...the sheer pleasure of being able to use words to create a vibrant picture in the mind? All of it now replaced with glossy, life like, jaw-dropping pictures.
Indra Sinha argued in favour of the 'bon mot', convincingly through a book he wrote called 'the last word' the sale proceeds of which went to the Bhopal gas victims. The attempt, however brave, fell on deaf ears. Or perhaps, he was afer all fighting a losing battle. The last of the copywriters who belonged to a rare breed. Neil French, Bernbach, McCabe, McElligott, Levenson, Delaney...including our very own Suresh Mullick, Freddy Birdy,... Who made advertising fun, lovable, entertaining, hilarious, worth looking at...
Is this really a dangerous precedent or is this the way things are going to be? Whatever happened to the craft of writing? The allusions, the word play, the double entendre...the sheer pleasure of being able to use words to create a vibrant picture in the mind? All of it now replaced with glossy, life like, jaw-dropping pictures.
Indra Sinha argued in favour of the 'bon mot', convincingly through a book he wrote called 'the last word' the sale proceeds of which went to the Bhopal gas victims. The attempt, however brave, fell on deaf ears. Or perhaps, he was afer all fighting a losing battle. The last of the copywriters who belonged to a rare breed. Neil French, Bernbach, McCabe, McElligott, Levenson, Delaney...including our very own Suresh Mullick, Freddy Birdy,... Who made advertising fun, lovable, entertaining, hilarious, worth looking at...
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