Black Spot - "origins"
The Black Spot is a literary device invented by Robert Louis Stevenson for his novel "Treasure Island." In the book, pirates are presented with a "black spot" to officially pronounce a verdict of guilt or judgment. It consists of a circular piece of paper or card, with one side blackened while the other side bears a message and placed in the hand of the accused. It was a source of much fear because it meant the pirate was to be deposed as leader, by force if necessary... or else killed outright.
The origin of Stevenson's Black Spot might be in the historical tradition of Caribbean pirates of showing an Ace of Spades to a person condemned as traitor or informer. The card was putting the person dangerously "on the spot", as the ace bears a single pip.
In 2004, Adbusters began selling vegan, indy shoes. The name and logo are "open-source"; in other words, unencumbered by private trademarks. Attached to each pair was a leaflet – "Rethink the Cool" inviting wearers to join a movement, and two spots – one for drawing their own logos and another on the toe for "kicking corporate ass."
Now on the sixth anniversary of Occupy Wall Street, Adbusters is throwing a billion person soirée, to celebrate… and you’re invited! Follow the black spot for more info...
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