Friday 10 May 2013

The "Don't" campaign and Kak, 1973

This public information poster is from the "Don't" campaign, which started in 1973.

The council became increasingly concerned that citizens were too actively involved in 'doing.'
Because 'doing' is a morally and politically ambiguous activity the council decided to take control and enforced 'not doing' until they could clarify and ratify only positive, socially acceptable expressions of 'doing.'

The campaign's mascot was called Kak the bird. To disseminate the 'Don't' message among the youth, all school corporal punishment, daily vaccinations, and dentistry had to be carried out by an adult dressed as Kak.

Parents were also encouraged to dress as Kak then rush in on their young, sleeping children at 3am, and screech as loudly as they could: "Don't, don't, don't."



A "Don't" Kak button badge (1973-74)

45 comments:

  1. This gives me pause...

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  2. can you market some Don't products? buttons, t-shirts... that sorta thing.

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  3. I think I detect the beginnings of a peculiar style of taoism emerging within the Scarfolk community...

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  4. I *really* want one of those badges. I've printed off the poster and it's by my desk, to stop myself from doing. More Kak merchandise please?

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  5. bwhahaha in the Afrikaans language Kak means shit.

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    Replies
    1. Afrikaans is basically Dutch that's been curing in the African sun for a couple centuries.

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    2. Kak means shit in Scouse too.

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    3. Kak sounds 2/3 like shit in Spanish.

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    4. Sounds like ¾ of shit in my lang. XD

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  6. I need that poster. Why do you not sell these? I need to help other people not do things as well.

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  7. By commenting here, *you already did*

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  8. at last, some common sense ... ha ha ha!

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  9. I haven't since I last did just now when I was doing this.

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  10. Reminds me of if...

    "Stephans. Whatever you're doing now... don't."

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  11. This is now displayed in my office. My coworkers have taken to randomly popping in and saying in an ominous voice, "Don't!" and then disappearing again.

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  12. Birds don't have external ears. If only the modelmaker had heeded official advice.

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  13. In Scarfolk, birds have external ears and large human hands inside them.

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    Replies
    1. The better for Charlie Barns.

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    2. I think this owl is based off the sported eagle owl, which has "eyebrows" that from a distance resemble ears? Also consider the horned owl.

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  14. I'd buy one of those badges.

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  15. I also would purchase a Kak button. ~rl

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  16. i need a t-shirt with this on... now!!!... get it sorted.

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  17. don't think. too "ambiguous" to engage in thinking, be morally and politically apt god damn it - stop doing, just don't. (Nike's definitely their favorite fan)
    so freeze - preferably with the owl look, on your face.

    it's in the brain guys, once you embody the 'don't' you instantly get the owl look.

    it's like an absurdist play set in a village/town/community of sorts - turned reality. much wow.

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  18. William Aubrey1 July 2015 at 09:11

    Still want a poster

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  19. I never did. Still waiting for my gong though.

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  20. I just (for real) completed a grant application with the question, "All applicants must complete this question. Does this question apply to your application? Answer YES if the question DOES NOT apply. Answer NO if the question DOES apply."

    If I may translate this into Scarfolk, "If don't, please yes. If not, please do."

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  21. My brain melted.....that means I was doing....gasp......doom....

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  22. This is *especially* relevant in these days of lockdown. Hasn't the PM basically gone on national TV and done the moral equivalent of reading out this poster?

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  23. 2020, the year of Don't.

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  24. I wish people had . . . done . . . this? . . . in 2020. Don't. Just don't.

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