Comments on: On the Front Lines With “Parking Wars” http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:08:53 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Doc Barnett http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/comment-page-1/#comment-43382 Doc Barnett Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:12:26 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/#comment-43382 "We must be living in two totally different realities, if you think most viewers identify with the enforcement officer." In the context of reality television, it's not even a question. There is no identification, just ritualistic humiliation. People that are going to feel some human sympathy for the "perp" in a reality show (whether it's a suspect in COPS or a disgruntled customer in Airline) simply do not watch them. (That includes me.) "This radical dissonance will make selling CP hopeless." Because I have a pet theory about reality television, pricing is doomed? I don't even know what you're trying to say, but even if I'm wrong about how people view this video its relationship to pricing is a thin one. Hey wait a second... "CP" ... is this <a href="http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/22/queens-parking-workshop-turns-to-talk-of-motorist-rights/#comment-43343" rel="nofollow">phatcat43</a>? (OMG look what is going down in that thread! Ha!) "We must be living in two totally different realities, if you think most viewers identify with the enforcement officer."

In the context of reality television, it's not even a question. There is no identification, just ritualistic humiliation. People that are going to feel some human sympathy for the "perp" in a reality show (whether it's a suspect in COPS or a disgruntled customer in Airline) simply do not watch them. (That includes me.)

"This radical dissonance will make selling CP hopeless."

Because I have a pet theory about reality television, pricing is doomed? I don't even know what you're trying to say, but even if I'm wrong about how people view this video its relationship to pricing is a thin one. Hey wait a second... "CP" ... is this phatcat43? (OMG look what is going down in that thread! Ha!)

]]> By: Eric http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/comment-page-1/#comment-43375 Eric Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:41:12 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/#comment-43375 I haven't seen the show myself, but I would guess that they occasionally write a ticket to some Master-of-the-Universe Wall Street or white-shoe law-firm type who does wonders in making traffic enforcement seem downright cuddly. Remember that guy in the SUV who intentionally ran over some guy's bike a few months ago? That type of dude. I haven't seen the show myself, but I would guess that they occasionally write a ticket to some Master-of-the-Universe Wall Street or white-shoe law-firm type who does wonders in making traffic enforcement seem downright cuddly.

Remember that guy in the SUV who intentionally ran over some guy's bike a few months ago? That type of dude.

]]> By: Reality check http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/comment-page-1/#comment-43365 Reality check Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:29:52 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/#comment-43365 We must be living in two totally different realities, if you think most viewers identify with the enforcement officer. This radical dissonance will make selling CP hopeless. We must be living in two totally different realities, if you think most viewers identify with the enforcement officer. This radical dissonance will make selling CP hopeless.

]]> By: Josh http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/comment-page-1/#comment-43364 Josh Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:18:30 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/#comment-43364 I've never done it myself, but I have to imagine being the guy/gal who writes parking tickets must be a pretty thankless job. I've never done it myself, but I have to imagine being the guy/gal who writes parking tickets must be a pretty thankless job.

]]> By: Doc Barnett http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/comment-page-1/#comment-43363 Doc Barnett Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:17:01 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/#comment-43363 I wouldn't worry; the audience is meant to and always does side with authority in reality shows. The satisfaction of watching some real-life schlub getting dressed down is the sad secret of their success. In this case it might at least help people understand that there is a reason for parking enforcement. That is, look at all these pitiful cases, everyone has an excuse and if we let them all off there would never be any available parking (for you, virtuous viewer, who never parks illegally). I wouldn't worry; the audience is meant to and always does side with authority in reality shows. The satisfaction of watching some real-life schlub getting dressed down is the sad secret of their success. In this case it might at least help people understand that there is a reason for parking enforcement. That is, look at all these pitiful cases, everyone has an excuse and if we let them all off there would never be any available parking (for you, virtuous viewer, who never parks illegally).

]]> By: Reality check http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/comment-page-1/#comment-43358 Reality check Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:45:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/#comment-43358 You found that line funny, but you do realize that this classism is what stirs up empathy for the motor-victims. You are making a mistake if you see this video as helpful to our cause. You found that line funny, but you do realize that this classism is what stirs up empathy for the motor-victims. You are making a mistake if you see this video as helpful to our cause.

]]> By: Mark http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/comment-page-1/#comment-43357 Mark Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:34:34 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/#comment-43357 My favorite line was "51 bucks? That's a lot of Happy Meals." My favorite line was "51 bucks? That's a lot of Happy Meals."

]]> By: Hilary http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/comment-page-1/#comment-43353 Hilary Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:01:19 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/#comment-43353 So now everyone knows how to saw off a boot. Nice PSA. So now everyone knows how to saw off a boot. Nice PSA.

]]> By: mfs http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/comment-page-1/#comment-43351 mfs Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:37:56 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/#comment-43351 In the second one, the car owner's reaction at the end is awesome. In the second one, the car owner's reaction at the end is awesome.

]]> By: parkowitz http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/comment-page-1/#comment-43344 parkowitz Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:32:48 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/23/on-the-front-lines-with-parking-wars/#comment-43344 classic! when are they doing the NYC version? I want to see Marty Parkowitz getting jiggly and indignant. classic! when are they doing the NYC version? I want to see Marty Parkowitz getting jiggly and indignant.

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