Ads and Education

DESPITE its extraordinary length, its excessive moralizing and its attempt to present an all-embracing account of The Crimson's decision not to run certain ads, the majority editorial fails to convey the perplexing and subtle shades involved in such debates.

First, freedom of advertising, while often preverse in its execution, fulfills a vital function in any social democracy. In spite of the taint of money, advertising boils down to advocacy, and to deny its importance is "ludicrously and condescendingly" to defy liberal precets.

In the case of the Screw ad, many Crimson staff members felt its content inherently offensive; others did not want to contribute specifically to the magazine's legitimacy and generally to the cause of pornography; still others invoked our supposed obligation to run it. In addition, several editors felt that since The Crimson lacks a focused policy, it was unfair or inconsistent to vote to pull the Screw ad by a strictly ad hoc decision.

I vigorously opposed running the Screw ad. But I also oppose the majority's sweeping and rigidly determinist condemnation of advertising as an outgrowth of capitalism. Of course exploitation of women is to be deplored. Perhaps for porno to be eradicated citizens will have to be taught or forced to be free, but advertising columns are as important as editorial columns in the educational process.

In the case of the Screw ad, many Crimson staff members felt its content inherently offensive; others did not want to contribute specifically to the magazine's legitimacy and generally to the cause of pornography; still others invoked our supposed obligation to run it. In addition, several editors felt that since The Crimson lacks a focused policy, it was unfair or inconsistent to vote to pull the Screw ad by a strictly ad hoc decision.

I vigorously opposed running the Screw ad. But I also oppose the majority's sweeping and rigidly determinist condemnation of advertising as an outgrowth of capitalism. Of course exploitation of women is to be deplored. Perhaps for porno to be eradicated citizens will have to be taught or forced to be free, but advertising columns are as important as editorial columns in the educational process.