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Specialization is for Insects.
Posted on Feb 11, 2008 - 1:04am by John P. in Environment, Videos
This classic 1971 public service announcement featuring the fictional Chief Iron Eyes Cody is one of the most famous commercials from the 1970’s. Also known as the “Crying Indian” commercial, this Keep America Beautiful public service announcement features the chief shedding a tear after some trash is thrown from a speeding car and lands at his feet while the announcer states “People start pollution; people can stop it.”
This commercial made such an impact in it’s day that it almost single handedly eliminated what, at the time, was a major ecological problem. Younger people today can’t really imagine it, but decades ago people would drive down the street and just throw their trash out the windows. Trash was everywhere, and it was disgusting.
Thankfully we now have a different attitude towards pollution and littering in general, but I think it’s worth looking back and remembering where we started so we never find ourselves repeating past mistakes.
I do recall that commercial, very well done, and it does stick with you. I could see the trash hitting his feet when I read the title of this post. Another big help is the vast reduction in smoking, there was nothing more lovely than seeing an ashtray emptied on the ground.
Coupled with the stiff fines implemented nation wide for littering.
Yeah, although I don’t know how it was before, I’m glad that there is a noticeable change (to others who were around then).
Unfortunately, I do see people doing this kind of stuff every now and again. And each time that I see it (usually it’s something like a trash of fast food that someone had just dropped out of their window), I’m disgusted at them. I don’t really know why people do that.
Okay that’s not true, I do know why. They’re lazy and disgusting.
There was an interesting story out of Toronto last year. A fellow threw some food out of his car. A bike messenger thoughtfully picked it up for him and returned it. ;) The fellow was peeved and a photographer happened to catch the action.
http://spacing.ca/wire/?p=491
Bigger pics
http://www.citynoise.org/article/2770
That is awesome Phil! Thanks for sharing it!
John
Do you really think that we have improved so much in terms of littering and polution?
My perception is that “community” is a thing of the past. All people worry about is their own immediate environment and that breeds disrespect. My biggest bugbear – people who use a plastic bag to pick up dog waste, then chuck the bag in a bush. Why oh why?
Does anyone know where I get info on the creative team that created the commercial. Who was the writer, who was the dierctor, the editor, etc.?