We’ve seen this slogan steadily evolve from an iconic phrase to a public image. Ever since it’s popped into the public eye it has filled me with a sense of unease. It has not comforted me.

Before all the accusations of haterade come, let me clarify my queasiness. First, it’s an ominous and uncredited design. This immediately causes alarm in our heavily authored age. Through the poster I hear Big Brother, who I usually ignore like Helen Keller for better or for worse.

Second, it is historically rooted in WWII England. That time period and place was nerve racking in a very real sense. If one bombing put my nation on edge, imagine what the Blitz must’ve felt like.

Third, the orange red used in the backdrop of this poster is NOT calming. Lastly, I find the use of it questionable. On one hand, there is a LOT of things we should be worried about, and I am not talking about the economy. However, the way it has been transformed from citizen-authored public message to yuppie-design-object, is plain upsetting. It is a very well designed poster. The color choice is spot on, considering that it was a “last case scenario” piece. A reddish orange that causes both alarm and calm brings the right mix of awareness. But I ponder its use in these times. Do we really need to wear it, drink from it, carry it and put it up on our walls? I find this as another sad case of people turning a quick buck by capitalizing on people’s fears. I really think this is a current image that needs to be questioned and I would love to hear what our UK readers think.