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Editor's Note

[ by Carrie McLaren ]

Another season, another issue, and an acedote: A young man interning where I work recently introduced himself as a huge fan of Stay Free! We chatted and he elaborated. He is majoring in marketing, has long been fascinated with advertising, and hopes some day to make really cool ads.

Not exactly the hoped-for response. Sure, readers take what they will. No point getting uptight about that or trying to shove something down throats (not that I haven’t tried). But it does give one pause. (For the record, Stay Free!’s policy on what to major in is as follows: Find out which department at your school has the best teachers–ask around–and then major in that.)

I got a call the other day from Tommy Hilfiger’s publicist offering me a chance to go ride in Tommy’s plane or ship (it was a vehicle) if I wrote about it. And a man I interviewed who promotes marketing practices I clearly oppose has been eagerly ("aggressively" would sound libelous) awaiting his appearance in Stay Free! so he can use it, along with the Village Voice article that mentions him, to promote his consultant agency.

Sometimes I think we’re feeding the machine as much as fighting it, which is why I hope Stay Free! evolves into something other than an "anti-commercialism" magazine; something for as of yet undetermind but worthwhile alternatives to commercial culture/ consumption. (Joshua Gamson has smart things to say about this, p. 34). Part of my plan includes organizing local stunts and pranks. If you’re in New York, reliable, and interested in this sort of thing, feel free to get in touch. It would also be great to have some help with the magazine itself.

Since the last issue, I’ve started writing about advertising for the Village Voice. Four of the articles here were originally published there.

Much thanks to Sut Jhally and James Twitchell for doing a debate-by-phone on the social effects of advertising. We ran out of space to do it justice here but it’s something to look forward to next time.

The back cover this issue breaks house rules against hassling people about what they buy. Forgive us. Sport utility vehicles must be stopped! (Fall/Winter 1998 )