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WisPIRG violates kiosk etiquette

Submitted by Jesse Russell on Tue, 2007-09-25 10:55. Current | Advocacy

wispirg01092507.jpgA big finger wag at WisPIRG for getting carried away and completely covering the downtown kiosks without regard for everyone else who is seeking an audience. The kiosks are a promotion free-for-all, but there is a certain unwritten kiosk etiquette that most try to abide by when posting on the shared space. To cover one or two other flyers is a necessary evil of kiosk promotion, but to wallpaper the entire kiosk is a blatant disregard for Madison's local music scene and many other hardworking non-profits seeking a wandering eye.

I know it is hard to tell through my horrible camera phone photos, but see that bright yellow blur? All WisPIRG flyers. And the paper? Non-recycled (clarification: They don't say recycled and don't feel recycled, but I may be wrong. I do know it is a ton of paper). WisPIRG, do you have time for the environment?
wispirg02092507.jpg

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That's ridiculous. What the

Submitted by Emily Mills on Tue, 2007-09-25 11:37.

That's ridiculous. What the hell's up with the PIRG?

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thelostalbatross.blogspot.com

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I was told they get paid

Submitted by Jesse Russell on Tue, 2007-09-25 11:49.

I was told they get paid based on how many people they sign up. That could explain why they are so overzealous.

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It's not just WISPIRG. Just

Submitted by Shane Wealti on Tue, 2007-09-25 12:05.

It's not just WISPIRG. Just about every student organization does that, or at least that's how it was during the time I was going to school and on campus a lot. They are just lazy.

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Bad Paper

Submitted by Pose on Tue, 2007-09-25 12:08.

Jesse, I noticed that you said they used non-recyclable paper. I found it interesting that on their website, they are all about keeping it clean:

"Our legislators need to stand up for our air and water by raising our landfill fees. By making it cheaper to recycle than to stockpile trash, we can cut the flow of trash and raise money for community recycling."

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Non-recycled

Submitted by Jesse Russell on Tue, 2007-09-25 12:12.

I just realized I wrote "non-recyclable" while I should have wrote "non-recycled." I fixed it above. Big difference. I don';t want anyone to think they are using plastic coated paper.

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Let me add that WISPIRG

Submitted by Shane Wealti on Tue, 2007-09-25 12:22.

Let me add that WISPIRG always seems to be the biggest offender. I am surprised about the recycled paper thing though. How do you know it wasn't recycled?

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Thought the sign-up

Submitted by hastings on Tue, 2007-09-25 13:27.

Thought the sign-up pay/quota thing was for individual canvassers/clip board-wielders--not the aggregate. Although maybe each flyer cluster has a unique watermark and referrer ID.
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Shiv/Shill/Shine

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What if they're old events?

Submitted by Phil on Tue, 2007-09-25 22:05.

Definitely not a fan of the PIRG's, and I think these posted examples are clearly excessive and probably covering upcoming events, but in general, it's kosher to cover up a poster for an event that's come and gone, right?

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It is indeed, and pretty

Submitted by Emily Mills on Wed, 2007-09-26 10:14.

It is indeed, and pretty much standard operating procedure. The expired posters are the first ones I look for when trying to put up one of my own.

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As unofficial Flyer Sheriff

Submitted by Jesse Russell on Wed, 2007-09-26 10:15.

As unofficial Flyer Sheriff of Madison I decree that you can indeed cover up old posters.

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Justification

Submitted by Katjusa on Wed, 2007-09-26 10:14.

Remember the "Justify Your Existence" feature in the Onion? I think WisPIRG needs to justify their existence. Cause right now, I gotta be honest, I'm not seeing it.

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Justified

Submitted by kinchdedalus on Tue, 2007-10-09 16:41.

I have to admit that there was a violation of kiosk etiquette and also that I was part of it...

To clarify the details though we decided to go with a quick hit poster blitz rather than a daily posting that would likely go unnoticed. Maybe we were a little too "ends justify the means" but well, we read Alinsky.

The paper was recycled and we are currently looking into less waste producing viz strategies.

Also, to clarify this event was part of WISPIRG at UW Madison, a student group that is a sister organization to the community group which canvasses. We were not paid to poster. We got up at 5am and put up posters as volunteers because we wanted to recruit students to our event to help us win out campaigns.

It was rude to disrespect public space like that but it's a very dull pain compared to what special interests do to public spaces and public institutions.

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