Hilbert spaces
In the heavy context of current news I hope it is permissible to engage in lighter observations. Some time ago I was briefly in Dresden, in the midst of a mayoral election campaign, and I noticed posters for this candidate:
“Dirk Hilbert, Competent For Dresden”. Apparently it worked since he is now mayor, but do you not find the motto a bit on the bland side?
If anyone knows who will be doing his campaign’s PR for the next election, please put me in touch. If my name were Hilbert and I were running for office, I would demand better slogans from my team. Even if I were so power-hungry as to want to appeal to both sides on controversial issues.
Immigration for example:
- Pro-immigrant: Dresden hat Raum für mehr (Dresden has room for more!).
- Anti-immigrant: every spot is already occupied!
On the environment too, one can, as any good politician, adapt to the audience:
- Animal-rights: Mehr Löcher für mehr Tauben (more holes for more pigeons!).
- Anti-animal-rights, pro-hunting-lobby: “We could kill half the pigeons, no one would notice!”. (Two thirds! Ninety-nine percent!).
Lots of potential on environmental and business issues as well:
- Pro-growth, pro-business: Extra rooms without the extra cost!
- Anti-growth: Dresden braucht kein neues Hotel! (Dresden does not need any new hotel.)
I can also see possibilities in inspirational-style slogans:
- Yes, I Can More Than I Can!
- Make Dresden Great Again! (Without Actually Changing It.)
- Build Back Infinitely Better.
Or a simple one focusing on the candidate himself:
- The natural and rational choice.
The possibilities seem limitless, although I hesitate to say innumerable. As always in politics, the hard part will start when things get real.
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Maybe their last mayor was blatantly incompetent for the office (like the USA’s last president) and Hilbert’s slogan was a big selling point. Sometimes simple is very attractive.
John (USA)