Comments on: North Dakota tries to be cool, fails http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 20 Jun 2013 04:06:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Owl Invasion http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318444 Owl Invasion Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318444 I lived in western ND (Dickinson area) briefly in my 20s. It is surprisingly pretty and the people are very nice. Also: crazy cheap cost of living. But it is deeply and profoundly NOT COOL. They found the coolest people in ND for this ad.  So: keep making fun of North Dakota, Internet hipsters! You would HATE IT THERE! For God's sake, STAY AWAY! I lived in western ND (Dickinson area) briefly in my 20s. It is surprisingly pretty and the people are very nice. Also: crazy cheap cost of living. But it is deeply and profoundly NOT COOL. They found the coolest people in ND for this ad. 

So: keep making fun of North Dakota, Internet hipsters! You would HATE IT THERE! For God’s sake, STAY AWAY!

]]> By: raygundan http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318442 raygundan Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318442 [edit edit edit: because I'm new here, I can't figure out how to reply to Maggie down below.  I'm hoping this is a cruddy comment-system limitation, not me being shut out of a discussion.  Maggie: I didn't mean to imply that women are in control at all bars-- what I was trying to say (poorly, apparently) was that someone who had been to a bar recently would be able to tell that THIS situation was not one of the bad ones.  Everyone is smiling, there is a glass barrier, and nobody's making "how can I get out of this awkward interaction" faces.  As to the copy, what makes it apply to the guys alone?  I would genuinely love to have an offline chat with you about this, because I'm half-afraid I'm an a-hole and don't know it.] And finally, because I apparently can't even read, I managed to click "reply" instead of "edit." [edit edit edit: because I'm new here, I can't figure out how to reply to Maggie down below.  I'm hoping this is a cruddy comment-system limitation, not me being shut out of a discussion.  Maggie: I didn't mean to imply that women are in control at all bars-- what I was trying to say (poorly, apparently) was that someone who had been to a bar recently would be able to tell that THIS situation was not one of the bad ones.  Everyone is smiling, there is a glass barrier, and nobody's making "how can I get out of this awkward interaction" faces.  As to the copy, what makes it apply to the guys alone?  I would genuinely love to have an offline chat with you about this, because I'm half-afraid I'm an a-hole and don't know it.]

And finally, because I apparently can’t even read, I managed to click “reply” instead of “edit.”

]]> By: Owl Invasion http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318437 Owl Invasion Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318437 "It's sleaze as designed by people who have no idea what sleaze is supposed to look like. They've just heard about it third-hand from someone who went to Vegas once."If this is the most damning thing we can conclude about North Dakota, I am TOTALLY MOVING THERE. “It’s sleaze as designed by people who have no idea what sleaze is supposed to look like. They’ve just heard about it third-hand from someone who went to Vegas once.”If this is the most damning thing we can conclude about North Dakota, I am TOTALLY MOVING THERE.

]]> By: nesnora http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318438 nesnora Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318438 I didn't find this more sexist or objectifying than, oh, say, almost every subway ad or billboard in my hometown of NYC. This is just dorky. Aren't there some beautiful, rolling landscapes or something they could have used? Maybe play-up the wide-open spaces or something? I didn’t find this more sexist or objectifying than, oh, say, almost every subway ad or billboard in my hometown of NYC.

This is just dorky. Aren’t there some beautiful, rolling landscapes or something they could have used? Maybe play-up the wide-open spaces or something?

]]> By: ROSSINDETROIT http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318431 ROSSINDETROIT Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318431 Take a look at that boot again.  It's not a cowboy boot, it's a Chelsea boot with a side zip.  Maybe I'm out of the loop and they're cool again, but isn't that about the lamest possible male footgear? Take a look at that boot again.  It’s not a cowboy boot, it’s a Chelsea boot with a side zip.  Maybe I’m out of the loop and they’re cool again, but isn’t that about the lamest possible male footgear?

]]> By: blueelm http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318434 blueelm Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318434 You know what is funny? This is almost how I read this ad. I had to think about it to get the "skeevy lad mag" attempt at all. First of all, there is more than one guy, which makes it ambiguous as to who is making the decision (actually I like that) and secondly because it looks like those girls are laughing at the guys and pointing. IOW I read this image as: "Come to North Dakota, we have white men!" You know what is funny? This is almost how I read this ad. I had to think about it to get the “skeevy lad mag” attempt at all. First of all, there is more than one guy, which makes it ambiguous as to who is making the decision (actually I like that) and secondly because it looks like those girls are laughing at the guys and pointing.

IOW I read this image as: “Come to North Dakota, we have white men!”

]]> By: lorq http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318426 lorq Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318426 It's all about how the reader of the ad is being positioned in relation to the material.  While the men and the women are both checking each other out, the people who are on display *for the reader of the ad* are the women.  While the women are looking back at the men, they are oriented toward the reader's gaze and can be seen almost in their entirety.  While the men are being looked at by the women, they are oriented away from the viewer and can't be seen in their entirety; their angle toward the women simulates that of the viewer. It’s all about how the reader of the ad is being positioned in relation to the material.  While the men and the women are both checking each other out, the people who are on display *for the reader of the ad* are the women.  While the women are looking back at the men, they are oriented toward the reader’s gaze and can be seen almost in their entirety.  While the men are being looked at by the women, they are oriented away from the viewer and can’t be seen in their entirety; their angle toward the women simulates that of the viewer.

]]> By: zombiebob http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318429 zombiebob Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318429 Actually you may have a point, in which case SHAME on North Dakota for not having Asian-folk! But seriously, Indio sort of makes more sense than 1/4 asian. Actually you may have a point, in which case SHAME on North Dakota for not having Asian-folk! But seriously, Indio sort of makes more sense than 1/4 asian.

]]> By: chenille http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318425 chenille Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318425 It says "Drinks, Dinner, <i>Decisions</i>". Only the fellas have drinks and are sitting in a place to have dinner. The implication should be simple. It says “Drinks, Dinner, Decisions“. Only the fellas have drinks and are sitting in a place to have dinner. The implication should be simple.

]]> By: Jack_Spellman http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318418 Jack_Spellman Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318418 Am I alone in thinking the young woman in the blue dress looks Native American? Am I alone in thinking the young woman in the blue dress looks Native American?

]]> By: anharmyenone http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318415 anharmyenone Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318415 Nudge nudge! Say no more! Say no more! Know what I mean? A nod's as good as a wink to a blind bat! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT3_UCm1A5I Nudge nudge! Say no more! Say no more! Know what I mean? A nod’s as good as a wink to a blind bat! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT3_UCm1A5I

]]> By: Surly Driver http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318413 Surly Driver Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318413 …that we can <i>see.</i> …that we can see.

]]> By: marilove http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318402 marilove Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318402 The middle one is plus-size though just barley.  The middle one is plus-size though just barley. 

]]> By: sdmikev http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318405 sdmikev Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318405 I had a friend that lived in a pre-war walk up on 24th and Bartlett way back when.  Now THAT could be scary at times.  However, the food more than made up for it.. :)   For a little jaunt, we'd head over to Don Ramon's (Folsom and 11th?) for Mexican comfort grub.  Them's good eatin'. The only place I ever felt uncomfortable in the city (and still do today) is in the Tenderloin.  Some things never change. I had a friend that lived in a pre-war walk up on 24th and Bartlett way back when.  Now THAT could be scary at times.  However, the food more than made up for it.. :)   For a little jaunt, we’d head over to Don Ramon’s (Folsom and 11th?) for Mexican comfort grub.  Them’s good eatin’.
The only place I ever felt uncomfortable in the city (and still do today) is in the Tenderloin.  Some things never change.

]]> By: marilove http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318406 marilove Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318406 And that's pretty sad when you think about it, hah! I actually love Grand Forks and my mom's side of the family is quite the legend there (my grandmother and grandfather in particular have big ties to the University and the flight program there).  But hip it ain't. And that’s pretty sad when you think about it, hah!

I actually love Grand Forks and my mom’s side of the family is quite the legend there (my grandmother and grandfather in particular have big ties to the University and the flight program there).  But hip it ain’t.

]]> By: guanto http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318400 guanto Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318400 On the other hand, the ad _does_ read "Drinks, dinner, <i>decisions</i>." I guess since the guys are having drinks it's them who "decide" and not the women? Or maybe we're all just reading way too much into it. On the other hand, the ad _does_ read “Drinks, dinner, decisions.” I guess since the guys are having drinks it’s them who “decide” and not the women?

Or maybe we’re all just reading way too much into it.

]]> By: hymenopterid http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318396 hymenopterid Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318396 Clearly its because there are three vaginas and only two penises. Clearly its because there are three vaginas and only two penises.

]]> By: zuiquan http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318393 zuiquan Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318393 But the Mission District can be scary sometimes! Also good burritos. It's better if the tourists stay away and keep the lines down. But the Mission District can be scary sometimes! Also good burritos. It’s better if the tourists stay away and keep the lines down.

]]> By: hostile_17 http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318394 hostile_17 Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318394 "Leave a legend" is probably the bit I find most cringe worthy. “Leave a legend” is probably the bit I find most cringe worthy.

]]> By: Maggie Koerth-Baker http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318389 Maggie Koerth-Baker Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318389 Raygundan,  My reply was referring specifically to your comment alleging that women are totally in control of all bar settings and men never do anything except wait to be objectified.  I was not explaining why I think this ad is an example of objectification. That's about the copy, which presents a scenario where young men take their pick from the sexy ladies who have come around to parade before them. The scenario of people flirting at a bar doesn't have to involve objectification of women. Nobody is claiming that. But this ad does, because of the way the ad copy is written.  Raygundan, 

My reply was referring specifically to your comment alleging that women are totally in control of all bar settings and men never do anything except wait to be objectified. 

I was not explaining why I think this ad is an example of objectification. That’s about the copy, which presents a scenario where young men take their pick from the sexy ladies who have come around to parade before them.

The scenario of people flirting at a bar doesn’t have to involve objectification of women. Nobody is claiming that. But this ad does, because of the way the ad copy is written. 

]]> By: zuiquan http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318384 zuiquan Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318384 Come on, North Dakota is begging for it. You have to give them what they want. Come on, North Dakota is begging for it. You have to give them what they want.

]]> By: IronEdithKidd http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318385 IronEdithKidd Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318385 Women get to be called "slut" or "whore" for thier casual sexual conquests.  Men get to label themselves "legend" for the exact same act. Nope, no misogyny here.  Move along people. Women get to be called “slut” or “whore” for thier casual sexual conquests.  Men get to label themselves “legend” for the exact same act.

Nope, no misogyny here.  Move along people.

]]> By: obeyken http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318382 obeyken Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318382 If it were the women in the window, perhaps with some gaudy pink lighting, and it was in Amsterdam, then, yes, I'd say the women were being objectified. If it were the women in the window, perhaps with some gaudy pink lighting, and it was in Amsterdam, then, yes, I’d say the women were being objectified.

]]> By: novium http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318383 novium Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318383 It's all in the framing of the photo. Look at what you can see of the men versus the women. Look at how they're posed. Look at which side of the glass the 'viewer'/audience/whatever is on. Sex sells, that's the cliche- and I don't think it's the men here that are on display. It’s all in the framing of the photo. Look at what you can see of the men versus the women. Look at how they’re posed. Look at which side of the glass the ‘viewer’/audience/whatever is on. Sex sells, that’s the cliche- and I don’t think it’s the men here that are on display.

]]> By: Nagurski http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318378 Nagurski Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318378 No fair trying to rope us into your Minnesotan 'aren't NoDakers a bunch of dumb hicks' meme. No fair trying to rope us into your Minnesotan ‘aren’t NoDakers a bunch of dumb hicks’ meme.

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318375 Guest Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318375 I think it's a bit cheap to make fun of North Dakota. But then again I've never been there. I think it’s a bit cheap to make fun of North Dakota. But then again I’ve never been there.

]]> By: TrollyMcTrollington http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318376 TrollyMcTrollington Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318376 That picture is begging for a 'how would you approach this group' post at Roissy's. That picture is begging for a ‘how would you approach this group’ post at Roissy’s.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318372 Antinous / Moderator Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318372 Diversity?  They're keeping the Scandinavian men in some kind of glassed-in diorama! Diversity?  They’re keeping the Scandinavian men in some kind of glassed-in diorama!

]]> By: Zhasu http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318374 Zhasu Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318374 I don't like a lot of things about this ad, people, several different fonts, etc., but I do want to go somewhere and become a legend, even if it is North Dakota. I don’t like a lot of things about this ad, people, several different fonts, etc., but I do want to go somewhere and become a legend, even if it is North Dakota.

]]> By: zuiquan http://boingboing.net/2012/01/12/north-dakota-tries-to-be-cool.html#comment-1318367 zuiquan Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=138703#comment-1318367 And Grand Forks is just about the hippest place in NoDak.  Well, compared to Minot anyway. And Grand Forks is just about the hippest place in NoDak.  Well, compared to Minot anyway.

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