Time for Action – Kids Outdoors

The poster photo also shows the remains of a beautiful sunset silhouetted against palms and a bright moon. All unseen by the screen-locked kids in the tent.

I know ! The photographer did an amazingly good job – inadvertently to be sure – to show the insane comparison. – Saxon

That is positively sickening. I agree – as a journo/photographer myself I wonder how anyone could bring themselves to take that shot for a campaign like this.
It reminds me of a famous Oz cartoon by Leunig showing a man and child marvelling at a beautiful sunset on their TV. Through the window of their loungeroom, you can see exactly the same sunset.
When I see this Comcast photo, I feel like calling out in true pantomime style “Behind you!!!!” And it begs an answer to Comcast’s question, doesn’t it? – higher obesity rates, nature deprivation, depression, lack of social skills…..

I am not surprised nor blame the photographer for this. He or she is not the issue and may be oblivious to the harm it does to children. Indeed, as I say in the post, I think it is sad Comcast does not see the sadness in the scene. – Saxon

I kind of wonder whether the photographer did that intentionally – intentionally subverting Comcast’s message despite accepting money from them. It’s hard to understand how a professional photographer could create a photograph that makes such a powerful statement about the insanity of what’s being advertised and not even notice what kind of statement it’s making.

Well the photographer certainly did a good job of showing the insanity and I would love to think it intentional but more likely there was a crew on site with ad execs and assorted stylists who helped create the photo, oblivious (with blind eye perhaps) to the contradiction. – Saxon

I so agree with you. It is sad that children have no real life now. So few go out of doors to experience life as it should be.

Several folks on my Facebook page pointed out that at least the kids are outdoors instead of inside watching the screen, and maybe that is a tiny, tiny victory for some kids, but the overall unintended message of the ad is encouraging the media not the outdoors “as it should be”. Thanks Lisa – Saxon

We also have to influence the young families around us who often think they are doing the best thing when they give their very young children every electronic advantage. Some even feel the outdoors is dangerous somehow. It is amazing to wonder how we got ourselves to this place.

Well I think the media put us in this place, scaring us that the outdoors is dangerous and the indoors is more entertaining. Indeed it is the parents who need to figure ways and find precious time to spend with their precious children out of doors. A garden is a great start isn’t it ? – Saxon

I was appalled and disgusted by Comcast’s ad. I was going to write about it, but you did a great job, so I’m linking to this!
(basically what I wrote on FB, except changing the pronoun)

You are so right. i CAN REMEMBER WHEN i CAMPED OUT IN THE BACKYARD OF MY BEST FRIEND’S HOUSE, AND WE WANTED TO BRING DOWN A LONG EXTENSION CORD AND LUG OUT HIS b&w tv. wHEN HIS DAD FOUND OUT WHAT WE WERE DOING, HE PUT A STOP TO IT AND LIMITED US TO A BATTERY OPERATED RADIO AND A FLASHLIGHT. hE SAID IF WE WANTED BOOKS OR GAMES, THAT WAS OK, BUT CAMPING DIDN’T INCLUDE WATCHING TV. gREAT POST!