To Obey or Not to Obey?

During my time in Boston or in other large cities, I would notice this sticker or image all around town.

For years I figured it was just some symbol for a nationwide gang that loved Andre the Giant and secretly adored the Princess Bride. But during a trip to the ICA in Boston I discovered the truth that I was just a part of a grand experiment. I almost wanted to unplug myself like NEO and puke, but I held it all back. Here is an article about the artist and the meaning of OBEY (with a few of my comments inserted).

MANIFESTO:A Social And Psychological Explanation

The OBEY sticker campaign can be explained as an experiment in Phenomenology. Heidegger describes Phenomenology as “the process of letting things manifest themselves.” Phenomenology attempts to enable people to see clearly something that is right before their eyes but obscured; things that are so taken for granted that they are muted by abstract observation (I think I just got 10x smarter for posting this on my blog).

The FIRST AIM OF PHENOMENOLOGY is to reawaken a sense of wonder about one’s environment. The OBEY sticker attempts to stimulate curiosity and bring people to question both the sticker and their relationship with their surroundings. Because people are not used to seeing advertisements or propaganda for which the product or motive is not obvious, frequent and novel encounters with the sticker provoke thought and possible frustration, nevertheless revitalizing the viewer’s perception and attention to detail. The sticker has no meaning but exists only to cause people to react, to contemplate and search for meaning in the sticker (Don't flatter yourself. Most of us were not up all night thinking about it). Because OBEY has no actual meaning, the various reactions and interpretations of those who view it reflect their personality and the nature of their sensibilities.

Many people who are familiar with the sticker find the image itself amusing, recognizing it as nonsensical, and are able to derive straightforward visual pleasure without burdening themselves with an explanation (YES! That was me. I'm one of the smart people). The PARANOID OR CONSERVATIVE VIEWER however may be confused by the sticker’s persistent presence and condemn it as an underground cult with subversive intentions (Aw shoot, that was me after all). Many stickers have been peeled down by people who were annoyed by them, considering them an eye sore and an act of petty vandalism, which is ironic considering the number of commercial graphic images everyone in American society is assaulted with daily.

Another phenomenon the sticker has brought to light is the trendy and CONSPICUOUSLY CONSUMPTIVE nature of many members of society. For those who have been surrounded by the sticker, its familiarity and cultural resonance is comforting and owning a sticker provides a souvenir or keepsake, a memento. People have often demanded the sticker merely because they have seen it everywhere and possessing a sticker provides a sense of belonging (and now my horcrux is that much cooler). The Giant sticker seems mostly to be embraced by those who are (or at least want to seem to be) rebellious. Even though these people may not know the meaning of the sticker, they enjoy its slightly disruptive underground quality and wish to contribute to the furthering of its humorous and absurd presence, which seems to somehow be antiestablishment/societal convention (KILL WHITIEEEEE!!!). Giant stickers are both embraced and rejected, the reason behind which, upon examination reflects the psyche of the viewer. Whether the reaction is positive or negative, the stickers existence is worthy as long as it causes people to consider the details and meanings of their surroundings. In the name of fun and observation.

—Shepard Fairey, 1990 

Little do you know that this smug artist treating you like a lab rat is secretly working for the Illuminati and Barry Obama - Their sacred mouthpiece. Would it shock you to know that Mr. Fairey also painted the famous Obama "Hope" poster?

Yes, that was great and inspirational, but this is what the NWO or Illuminati wanted you to think. But this is what they really intend:

Yes, we've been conditioned to see the giant and think of obedience, but we are all being conditioned to obey the real mouthpiece and all words that proceed from his mouth. People like to joke that one day Obama's photo will be on a food stamp. But the sad truth is this will be the currency after he and his overlords have their way with us:

If I am dead next week, just remember I gave you the straight dope. If you can break into Obama's compound beneath DIA, take him out but don't forget to kill the clone of Steve Jobs down there too. HOPEfully you will survive the impending Illuminati induced apocalypse and thwart the currency of obedience.