Advertising is one of the most insidious forces in our society. As such, it should be reviled and despised. Even if some ads are funny and clever, it should be reviled. Even if it partly funds mediocre American dramas, it must be reviled. Even it it funds the cure for baby cancer, it must be reviled.

To accept advertising as inevitable or even necessary displays a lack of intellect and a lack of imagination of stunning proportions.

Bill Hicks, although a funny enough chap, was a bit naïve in his anti-advertising sentiments, albeit laudable.

Art has always had its commercial patrons. In modern times shows like The Sopranos are littered with product placement. Without it, TV networks would not be able to afford to make a TV series in which every episode is essentially a mini movie with production values to match.

A band signing to a bigger record label might do it to get more famous, or they might do it so that they can make more money to sustain their passion of making music – or likely it’s a bit of both. And there’s nothing wrong with ambition.

I’m not sure these examples hold steady for Iggy Pop though, but I suppose the man has to make a living. I did see a South Bank Show special on him a couple of year ago and then certainly he claimed to not be that well off, as a result of being screwed over by record companies over the years. Personally I think he’s a bit of a dick anyway, but the whole selling out thing doesn’t bother me. I would probably do it. And so would you.