tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post7187836958050991671..comments2023-12-27T22:26:20.552-05:00Comments on synch-ro-ni-zing: A different kind of uprisingRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-49387871116782949742011-02-14T06:11:14.028-05:002011-02-14T06:11:14.028-05:00When I first saw this ad last week, Ruth, it sent ...When I first saw this ad last week, Ruth, it sent chills up and down my spine. It made me proud of a city I know so much about but not 'up close and personal.' I would love to see Detroit take the bull by the horns and out-trump all the other car manufactureres out there. When they do that, America's day will come and Detroit will be fully back in business. Trust me! I hope it happens in my lifetime. :)Ginnie Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014434422568561157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-54469490702869895582011-02-13T12:46:02.906-05:002011-02-13T12:46:02.906-05:00I think I thought I had replied to this -- then re...I think I thought I had replied to this -- then remembered I was interrupted, left the computer and came back totally losing my place.<br /><br />This post has tremendous resonance for me. I'm a Lansing kid, but as a child would periodically go to Detroit with my mom. Sometimes to see a play. One trip I remember was going to Hudson's to meet my favorite author, Carolyn Haywood, then sitting on the pedestals that held the mannequins reading my book while mom shopped.<br /><br />About eight, nine years ago, when Rick was working for the Japan America Society, we were invited to an event to meet the Japanese consul. It was a black tie occasion at the Fox and we took two Japanese friends with us who were part of a goodwill delegation. They wanted to see Detroit so we left a little early to drive them around before the event. There were no people. It was 5:30 and the streets were empty, barricades on the doors down Woodward. They were shocked, and frankly, so was I.<br /><br />I long for the "return" of Detroit, and a new generation seems to be embracing this and giving it their best shot. When I saw the ad, my throat got a huge lump. It does, upon re-viewing.<br /><br />The house in the photo -- where is that? It reminds me of the Darius Moon house downtown.Jeaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-3059390592376703702011-02-13T12:09:29.317-05:002011-02-13T12:09:29.317-05:00Ruth... I grew up in a rough place too.. a scary p...Ruth... I grew up in a rough place too.. a scary place..this has inspired me to write a piece on that for my blog.. where Pam and I grew up. It haunted us all our lives. Great piece, thanks. I love Eminem too he looks so like my nephew Billy..Jane Lancasterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10698456568767905170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-61042220982223172852011-02-13T07:24:29.156-05:002011-02-13T07:24:29.156-05:00What a fantastic declaration of love for Detroit! ...What a fantastic declaration of love for Detroit! I think that your article is even stronger than the commercial!<br /><br />I visited Detroit once, during a short weekend in 1965, and, not being aware of Diego then, I missed his mural painting! Today, being a fan of him and Frida, that mural painting would be the first thing I would visit! At least this one has remained, not like the one he made for Rockefeller in NYC.PeterParishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09694538476960957295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-3665315912010183372011-02-12T09:40:08.276-05:002011-02-12T09:40:08.276-05:00Hi Ruth -- back again to read the comments as your...Hi Ruth -- back again to read the comments as your comment column is always filled with great words and ideas!<br /><br />As to the ad -- an ad is meant to create an emotional response, not to sell cars or toys, but to stir our emotions so that we 'take action'.<br /><br />This ad does all of that and more.<br /><br />it also suggests with its final frames that our fixation on 'foreign' is undermining our nation/economy/people -- in this case, your nation as I'm Canadian -- though we Canucks also fall prey to the thinking, if it's made in Canada it's not 'luxury'. To really make a statement of wealth, I gotta 'Buy German'.<br /><br />Funny beings we humans.<br /><br />The emotive power of this video is powerful -- just the fact so many people on your blog took the time to comment is amazing!Louise Gallagherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13522775693728655487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-7322552212890975602011-02-12T07:37:57.925-05:002011-02-12T07:37:57.925-05:00The commercial blew me away. We rarely have the T...The commercial blew me away. We rarely have the TV on so I almost never can connect about ads, but this one I saw. If it touched me here in PA, I can only imagine how it felt in Michigan.Stratozhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10148600260976577216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-15137789369739245062011-02-12T04:34:52.524-05:002011-02-12T04:34:52.524-05:00Dusti, oh no! Loring has given you reason to suspe...<b>Dusti</b>, oh no! Loring has given you reason to suspect me again!<br /><br />:-)Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-20436298208539685132011-02-12T04:34:12.088-05:002011-02-12T04:34:12.088-05:00Loring, nope. If I get arrested, I'm gonna tel...<b>Loring</b>, nope. If I get arrested, I'm gonna tell them about all your nefarious dealings with Al Jazeera, etc. . . . <br /><br />:-)Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-34533521434120811132011-02-12T04:31:48.218-05:002011-02-12T04:31:48.218-05:00Anonymous, welcome and thank you! Those are very k...<b>Anonymous</b>, welcome and thank you! Those are very kind words, I am touched.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-48150124682509007142011-02-12T04:30:26.260-05:002011-02-12T04:30:26.260-05:00Hi, Bella! I am gratified that you agree with me, ...Hi, <b>Bella</b>! I am gratified that you agree with me, along with many others. I know that advertisements are "smoke and mirrors" really, just as any film is, and more so maybe. But maybe all our art, all our expressions of anything, are "smoke and mirrors" now that I think of it. But this one is so positive, so embracing of reality, so good at representing the spirit of Detroit, I can't resist its power. <br /><br />Thank you for sharing my enthusiasm today, I look forward to sharing more about Detroit with you soon.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-81356169973832068162011-02-12T02:03:07.967-05:002011-02-12T02:03:07.967-05:00Yeah Ruthi, how come all your work, year-with-poet...Yeah Ruthi, how come all your work, year-with-poets books seem to be the Wyoming edition translations. If you're not going to make a citizens arrest Loring until HS gets here I think someone had better step up. <br /><br />I am beginning to think those conspiracy theories about women pulling all the strings behind the curtains is true, what the hell? there are no <i>bees</i> in Utah.<br /><br />quick! somebody tackle her!whohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17685473418191606910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-42295315617031356882011-02-11T21:32:06.668-05:002011-02-11T21:32:06.668-05:00Ruth, you didn't see it live? YouTube was the...Ruth, you didn't see it live? YouTube was the first time? You didn't watch all four quarters? I'm going to have to inform Homeland Security about this.Loring Wirbelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11764834150305763077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-65100408470827467502011-02-11T16:35:06.798-05:002011-02-11T16:35:06.798-05:00I'm your 61st comment! ( Unless someone beats ...I'm your 61st comment! ( Unless someone beats me to it :))<br />Just wanted to say that I adore, yes, adore your blog.<br />Ruth,<br />thank you.<br />For the words, for your thoughts, your poetry.<br />For it all.<br />xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-8615720807829217272011-02-11T16:28:48.775-05:002011-02-11T16:28:48.775-05:00Such a wonderful post, Ruth. I believe they put th...Such a wonderful post, Ruth. I believe they put their money in the right place with this ad. Americans love an underdog. <br /><br />We admire that never-give-up attitude, and the belief that hard work, excellence and know-how will get the job done. All those notes were played in this ad. It will take all those things for a lot of places around the country to get back on their feet. <br /><br />The photo of the Detroit skyline on the Detroit River is gorgeous. I'm looking forward to future posts.<br />BellaBella Rumhttp://culdesacchronicles.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-3328913444695729092011-02-11T12:06:29.499-05:002011-02-11T12:06:29.499-05:00Thanks so much, George. I'm glad you felt the ...Thanks so much, <b>George</b>. I'm glad you felt the strength of my affection that was stirred by this ad. I felt that the film makers in all aspects really got it right. It isn't easy to convey what they did in 2 minutes. <br /><br />You're so right about the loss of high paying jobs for skilled workers. I grew up with brothers and friends being able to count on that, and sadly it is not a reality any longer.<br /><br />I'm glad you like the photos. I'll show you a few more in the days ahead, some previously taken, and new ones I want to take when I explore more.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-39640847821736169792011-02-11T11:55:34.259-05:002011-02-11T11:55:34.259-05:00rauf, I was a little surprised they used the word ...<b>rauf</b>, I was a little surprised they used the word "luxury" in the ad. It didn't seem right for the car to me either. But I have to say that I did rather like what he said about luxury being as important where it comes from as where it's going. Actually the Ford Fiesta was not a luxury vehicle but it was hugely popular in other countries.<br /><br />Even Audi now has a series of ads that are poking fun at the "old rich" -- the ones who drove Mercedes Benzes. Because of the anger over the economic meltdown that happened from Wall St, appealing to people on a different level is important too. They can have a nice shiny car without driving the super-luxe brands.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-24190392192939205802011-02-11T11:50:42.333-05:002011-02-11T11:50:42.333-05:00Sidney, thanks for reading and watching.<b>Sidney</b>, thanks for reading and watching.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-30454135528944844972011-02-11T08:54:47.389-05:002011-02-11T08:54:47.389-05:00This was a song of love, Ruth, or perhaps a memory...This was a song of love, Ruth, or perhaps a memory of love. You have painted your own mural, one that captures the affection that is seen in the stunning Diego Rivera murals. I saw the Chrysler ad a couple of times and it's wonderful, a new standard in advertising. It will be interesting to see if it has any lasting impact. Quite apart from the fortunes of Chrysler (or the lack thereof), the ad reminds me, sadly, of what a better world is was when people without formal educations could learn a skill and work with pride in the manufacture of things. We have lost our way, and with any luck, Detroit may show us how to return to a more sustainable path.<br /><br />I love all of your photos in this post, but the first and last are fabulous, especially the last. That is a stunning shot of the Detroit skyline at night.Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03959953035812596907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-91397927336298563182011-02-11T08:35:27.160-05:002011-02-11T08:35:27.160-05:00you know i don't think Ruth, i write on impuls...you know i don't think Ruth, i write on impulse. It just strikes me as i read or watch. For any successful lawyer doctor stock broker or a businessman an European car is a symbol of success. They are competing with those cars targeting the American rich, who have already decided on a foreign car. A commercial helps a product to sell. You can't impress them with the singer and these visuals or any reference to Detroit. To revive the Detroit Industry they have to think of exporting and impressing the third world rich. It would not impress those who have watched the mouth watering European car commercials.<br />Luxury is not here.raufhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14069291890495563749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-6610953479912416982011-02-11T07:45:55.505-05:002011-02-11T07:45:55.505-05:00Nice and clever add... but it would not have touch...Nice and clever add... but it would not have touched me as much without your words.Sidneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02495108366627361182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-41332419045370338632011-02-11T07:17:41.683-05:002011-02-11T07:17:41.683-05:00rauf, yes, Detroit auto execs were so wrong! They ...<b>rauf</b>, yes, Detroit auto execs were so wrong! They kept feeding Americans "what they wanted": big, boat-cars, then big SUVs. They let the Japanese take the sedan production, sticking with the higher price tag vehicles for domestic production. They really missed the "boat."<br /><br />Well we disagree on the ad-film. I find the narration gripping because he's so real, especially when he says, "huh!" It just goes right through me. And I find the visuals stunning! It isn't "pretty" that's for sure, but it shows Detroit for what it is, without facades, although the Fox theater is pretty fabulous.<br /><br />Thanks, rauf, I hope it will thrive too.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-58667470739309862882011-02-11T07:11:25.706-05:002011-02-11T07:11:25.706-05:00Ruth, Long ago, i can only say long ago and i don&...Ruth, Long ago, i can only say long ago and i don't remember how long ago, while i was reading Arther Hailey's 'wheels' which was an in depth account of Detroit auto industry in its hey day. In one place the Chrysler engineers strip down a Japanese car (Datsun i think, not sure). They said this is a motor bike on four wheels and it will never sell in America. How wrong they were. i think there was a discussion on cost effective fuel efficient small car, the idea was rejected and they continued with big gas guzzlers. Its sad how few bad decisions ruined a thriving Industry.<br /><br />honestly Ruth, i am not impressed with the commercial, poor visuals and narration. Perhaps it is an attempt to compete against a similar highly successful BMW. They have to come up with something better to make the Americans buy it. <br />Hope Detroit industry thrives again.raufhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14069291890495563749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-20727765529828054002011-02-11T06:05:23.579-05:002011-02-11T06:05:23.579-05:00Hi, Robert. Thanks. It's significant that you ...Hi, <b>Robert</b>. Thanks. It's significant that you mention Liverpool, because while writing this post I had that city very much in mind as a British counterpart, a sister city of sorts. I'm glad to hear it has undergone some revival, and along with you, I pray that its new life won't be cut short in this harsh economic landscape.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-8471113431687581502011-02-11T06:03:01.528-05:002011-02-11T06:03:01.528-05:00Thank you, Terresa. I agree with your embrace of t...Thank you, <b>Terresa</b>. I agree with your embrace of the decay and dirt, the hell and grit, that has to happen to really understand the revival. It was that very acknowledgement that so touched me in this film-ad.<br /><br />Your LV, NV does have its similarities and misconceptions. People from the outside can't witness it the same way you who live there can. <br /><br />I'm happy to walk these streets with you.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-33538075061586522572011-02-11T05:59:17.307-05:002011-02-11T05:59:17.307-05:00Thanks, Patricia, I'm thrilled that you share ...Thanks, <b>Patricia</b>, I'm thrilled that you share my enthusiasm.<br /><br />Yes, Newark! What Mayor Booker is doing with out of his own passionate heart is incredibly inspiring!Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.com