Diesel: BE STUPID and Facebook Cams

Diesel Clothing is a brand that is known for pushing the boundaries and I say they're genius. The "Be Stupid" ad campaign doesn't scream "amazing" but the way they have recognized new media and taken steps to use the consumers to generate more consumers by having them provide free advertisements via facebook.






What do you think about Diesel's latest ad campaign? A bit ridiculous? I was wildly confused by it when I walked by the Union Square store fronts but upon further investigation I actually like the "idea" they're presenting. They're not being condescending toward their consumers--well not totally--it's more of a challenge to "push the norm." At times I want to cringe at the sexual explicitness of Diesel's advertisements; however, they're straight up about the fact that they believe in the motto: Sex Sells so they go for it.

Another media related note that Diesel presents is the installation of new FaceBook Cams.
"Interactive installation at Diesel Stores in Spain, being the first store that allows users to share the moment of buying and trying garments on their Facebook profiles from the store. Consumers are able to make pictures, publish them and boast their new acquisitions with their Facebook friends."



"The Best Diesel Moments" can now be shared with all your friends...so even if you can't afford the insanely overpriced clothing, you can take a picture in them and act like you can. Present the illusion on facebook and be "cool."

Helpful Information from Geert Lovink's Presentation

Reclaim your facebook privacy

Openbook lets you search public Facebook updates using Facebook's own search service. (Here's more about it--read up and know how you're affected too.)

If you're going to commit virtual suicide (disconnect from online social networks), here are some sites to retrieve the information you've already put out there:
Give me my data
Seppukoo
web 2.0 suicide machine

Here are some sites that aim to A) show you how "bad" closed-source social networks like facebook are or B) want you to become members of their open-source social network sites:
Anti-fb:
Virtual Suicide Club
No-FAcebook Dating (no FAD)
open source networks:
apple seed project
Diaspora

For all you artists out there who are looking for a way to generate money for your projects and for all you people who want to help support artists' projects:
Flattr
Kickstarter
kachingle

So, I'll be letting you know when I have accounts with Flattr, Kickstarter, and Kachingle because I will so be needing help with future projects.