Mariam Mobassaleh
Iqra Association
Lebanon

But does anyone else think “That is exactly how they work” isn’t quite… right? There’s something about this phrase that doesn’t sound quite right to my ears. It might be the use of “that”, and the use of “exactly” (too rigid a word for the gloriously open-ended image above it?). A simpler “This is how they work” feels a little better, I think….

This poster is intended for a much younger audience, and less explicit graffiti would allow it to achieve a much wider distribution.

This is too true – books allow you to see over the wall, but not to get over the wall.

Incorrect. Books are one of the few things that can help get you over that wall.

Without books education if difficult. Without education, you’re stuck in the ghetto.

Still, it’s too bad. I’d show this to my 9-year-old daughter, were it not for the ugly word.

Any Russian speakers care to translate what the real poster says?

“I see this as a warning about the dangers of escapism. You get the same result if you replace ‘books’ with ‘drugs’.”

By “dangers of escapism”, I take it you mean to be a jerk.

I on the contrary take this as warning to look over the walls of ignorance which will surround and imprison you, if you don’t take steps to overcome them.

Read more books, particularly history books, perhaps as to the origins of the war on drugs: for such “escapism” has no dangers whatsoever – except for those who would be your jailers.

Wow. An inspirational poster for kids thats inappropriate for kids, but instead inspires hipsters because its grim (and realistic!!).

Its unfortunate, because it is a truly awesome poster otherwise.

Initial trajectory is hard to alter.

I can also see instead of books he’s dropped acid and sees the same thing. Then tries marijuana, mushrooms, meth, and the escape is never enough to go back to piddly books. Want more escape, try Russian Literature, No? try cutting edge science fiction and fantasy, No? try Ulysses. No? write you own stuff. Dungeons and Dragons? But sir, drugs are so easy, reading and thinking are so hard.

http://www.eksmo.ru/bookman/works/1249/629059/&usg=ALkJrhh3MvcvCczl94APtgeljmj2Rr4ecw

I also wish to second the request for a print.

(It’s a bad habit of mine to deconstruct propaganda — probably something I picked up from thinking too much and reading too many books.)