WIST Quotations

Watterson, Bill -- Calvin and Hobbes (1994-01-31)

Dave — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 21:21:02 +0000

CALVIN’S DAD: Why is it I can recall a cigarette ad jingle from 25 years ago, but I can’t remember what I just got up to do?

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1994-01-31)

Jackson, Holbrook -- The Fear of Books, Part 2, ch. 1 (1932)

Dave — Wed, 31 May 2023 13:56:00 +0000

History proves there is no better advertisement for a book than to condemn it for obscenity. Forbidden fruits have unique flavors, and the bounds of suppression create new limits of desire.

Holbrook Jackson (1874–1948) English journalist, editor, author
The Fear of Books, Part 2, ch. 1 (1932)

Serling, Rod -- Patterns, Introduction (1957)

Dave — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 16:41:56 +0000

And the worst commercial of any, bar none, is the dramatized doctor-pitchman in a white medical coat who juggles test tubes and ponderously exhorts you to do what his “patients” do. Perhaps this is the natural evolution of the old traveling snake-oil shows, but then, at least, the hucksters did sleight of hand and a few buck-and-wings before launching into the pitch.

Rod Serling (1924–1975) American screenwriter, playwright, television producer, narrator
Patterns, Introduction (1957)

Serling, Rod -- Patterns, Introduction (1957)

Dave — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 16:29:36 +0000

I don’t really believe there exists a “good” form of commercial. There are some that are less distasteful than others, but at best they’re intrusive. And even in the most absolutely palatable form, they thrust a cleaver into the overall effect of a television drama — and they do it three times during its all too brief playing, and even more during the 90-minute shows.

Rod Serling (1924–1975) American screenwriter, playwright, television producer, narrator
Patterns, Introduction (1957)

Ericsson, Graham -- Journal (2008-02-05)

Dave — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:07:48 +0000

Anyone who says the computer always gets things right is trying to sell you a computer.

Graham Ericsson (b. 1961) American technologist, writer, aphorist
Journal (2008-02-05)