D'oh!

I must say I am thoroughly enjoying the massive public response to the 2012 Olympic Logo. What a well-deserved pushback to the ludicrous hype with which the thing was launched. What a heartening demonstration that Brits have a brain and aren't going to swallow whole the spin and hype of the branding browntongues.

What really provoked me was not so much the logo itself as the organisers' smug predictions of what it was going to do for the games. How patronising was the notion that this would appeal to young people. Especially when it was so obviously designed for young people by old people who know nothing about young people.

There's a great scene in an old BBC adaptation of The Mayor of Casterbridge. The doomed antihero organises a huge party for the town people in an effort to glamorise himself. But it pours with rain and no-one shows up for this lavish but soulless party. Meanwhile his rival organises a rough and ready dance in a barn where everyone has a great time in each other's company, with none of the grand expense. Henchard eventually arrives at the barn but can't really conceal his bitterness and dismay at everyone having so much fun.

Wouldn't it be great if Seb Coe had the humility to admit to a mistake whilst applauding our exuberant irreverance? But more likely he'll take cover like Henchard. In any case, won't we really remember the logo for bringing lil' Lisa to her knees? Not a pleasant image but, nonetheless, a statement.