Bruce Schneier | |||||||||||||||
Schneier on SecurityA blog covering security and security technology. « Breaching the Secure Area in Airports | Main | David Brooks on Resilience in the Face of Security Imperfection » January 6, 2010TSA Logo ContestOver at "Ask the Pilot," Patrick Smith has a great idea: Calling all artists: One thing TSA needs, I think, is a better logo and a snappy motto. Perhaps there's a graphic designer out there who can help with a new rendition of the agency's circular eagle-and-flag motif. I'm imagining a revised eagle, its talons clutching a box cutter and a toothpaste tube. It says "Transportation Security Administration" around the top. Below are the three simple words of the TSA mission statement: "Tedium, Weakness, Farce." Let's do it. I'm announcing the TSA Logo Contest. Rules are simple: create a TSA logo. People are welcome to give ideas in the comments, but only actual created logos are eligible to compete. (When my website administrator wakes up, I'll ask him how we can post images in the comments.) Contest ends on February 6. Winner receives copies of my books, copies of Patrick Smith's book, an empty 12-ounce bottle labeled "saline" that you can refill and get through any TSA security checkpoint, and a fake boarding pass on any flight for any date. EDITED TO ADD (1/6): Please leave links to your submissions in the comments, and I will add them to the post. After the contest is over, I'll choose five finalists and post them. The winner will be chosen by popular acclaim. The Entries: EDITED TO ADD: vote on the finalists here. Posted on January 6, 2010 at 8:42 AM • 148 Comments To receive these entries once a month by e-mail, sign up for the Crypto-Gram Newsletter. I think you will get the attention of TSA and it won't be at the airport (or maybe they will just wait until you come to them). Posted by: kashmarek at January 6, 2010 9:04 AM If the TSA are not paying attention to this blog then they are in an even worse state than they appear to be in. Posted by: William at January 6, 2010 9:12 AM "I think you will get the attention of TSA and it won't be at the airport (or maybe they will just wait until you come to them)." Excellent. I'm sure the winner will license his design at a reasonable price. Posted by: at January 6, 2010 9:13 AM "Bruce, you're my hero. Best contest prizes EVER." Hey, I didn't say it would be a good fake boarding pass. Posted by: at January 6, 2010 9:14 AM I don't have a logo, but their song is surely (to the music of the Village People song Y.M.C.A.) : "It's safe to fly with the Teeee Ess Ay" (someone will have to work up new hand gestures, I'm sure with a little imagination one could generate a funny YouTube video). Posted by: RonK at January 6, 2010 9:16 AM I can't draw it and so will not win... but... The logo should consist of the Vitruvian Man image made by Leonardo da Vinci. http://leonardodavinci.stanford.edu/submissions/... Below the picture would be the words, "Please hold position while images are taken." Over the top, the motto will be "Propinquus stabilis ianua vobis" (Closing stable doors for you.) Posted by: Nomen Publicus at January 6, 2010 9:17 AM Picture of plastic bin with a pair of shoes, and a pair of boxer shorts, on a conveyor belt. Motto: "Preventing Yesterday's Plots, Today" Posted by: Carlo Graziani at January 6, 2010 9:23 AM I think that Cory Doctorow has already beaten us to the punch: http://shirt.woot.com/Friends.aspx?k=3630 He gets my vote. Posted by: Captain Justice at January 6, 2010 9:30 AM Too bad I'm no graphic artist. The motto really should be "You have nothing to fear if you've done nothing wrong", but I can't think of a good, simple logo. Perhaps a head with a gun pointed at it? Posted by: Jon Williams at January 6, 2010 9:31 AM Anything with a pair of Schutzstaffel runes in the middle ('TSSA') ... Posted by: Kingsnake at January 6, 2010 10:01 AM As a logo, how about: "Misapplying tomorrow's technologies to counter yesterday's threats." Posted by: at January 6, 2010 10:03 AM @Captain Justice: That t-shirt design is a thing of beauty. Posted by: Ray at January 6, 2010 10:04 AM The winning logo needs to be printed on socks (and underwear!) and sold. Posted by: ImSoFunny at January 6, 2010 10:05 AM Picture of a bottle of water above "You can have my bottle when you pry it from my cold, dead hands" Posted by: Kingsnake at January 6, 2010 10:11 AM I doubt Cory's t-shirt can be bettered. How about 'Abandon all liquids, all ye who enter here', or 'Totus mundus agit histrionem custodiae' ('all the world's a theatre of security', adapting the Globe Theatre motto. I hope that genitive is right.). I think I'll do a logo for this one. Posted by: Baz at January 6, 2010 10:12 AM This is the best contest so far this year! I would encourage making the saline bottle prize clearer by saying "an empty 12-ounce bottle labeled." Posted by: peri at January 6, 2010 10:14 AM You know, we could always have CafePress (or similar print on demand) print the logo on the thongs they sell that say "Electronic Scans are Overrated. Full Body Pat-Down Desired!" or something similar - http://www.cafepress.com/+womens-thongs I need to do a little bit of work with a motto and design... I'm not artist, but I may be able to photoshop something together. Great idea, by the way. Posted by: Tyler Thompson at January 6, 2010 10:25 AM Simple. Douglas Adams "Don't Panic" image with the green sphere sticking out it's tongue. Posted by: jnwcmr at January 6, 2010 10:28 AM Get this to Fark.com and you'll be buried in photoshops. Posted by: Andre LePlume at January 6, 2010 10:28 AM @peri: "I would encourage making the saline bottle prize clearer by saying 'an empty 12-ounce bottle labeled.'" Done. Posted by: at January 6, 2010 10:28 AM Why is an association with the noble eagle necessary? A headless chicken, limbs flailing uselessly, would clearly be more appropriate. It's a shame that we've few graphical designers amongst us. It's time to spread this out on the usual diggreddit sites. =) Posted by: curby at January 6, 2010 10:35 AM I went to an image search engine and search for "wet paper bag". I did not make this image but it seems perfect for me: Posted by: Lee at January 6, 2010 10:36 AM I'm thinking something like Smokey the Bear. A picture of a bunch of passengers jumping a terrorist with the logo, "Remember, only you can prevent terrorism." Posted by: Jeff Wegerson at January 6, 2010 10:36 AM Picture of the Warner Brothers abominable snowman guaring the security gate exit as a be-turbaned, dunamite vest wearing terrorist goes in through the out door ... "Duh, which way did he go, George? Which way did he go?" Posted by: Kingsnake at January 6, 2010 10:38 AM I think the Car Talk guys have the classic one already for you: Posted by: Jim at January 6, 2010 10:45 AM How about an image of an ostrich with its head in a suitcase? Many fine slogans to accompany the logo have already been suggested. Posted by: Andrew G at January 6, 2010 11:49 AM @ Jim: I like "Unencumbered by the Thought Process." Add in Latin as play on their show name: Posted by: Daniel at January 6, 2010 12:00 PM Clearly the printing on the socks/underwear/T-shorts needs to be done in a metal based ink so that it can be read when you are being scanned. Posted by: L. at January 6, 2010 12:07 PM Angry redheads have had the answer all along. Applicable to both foreign and domestic policy, too! Posted by: Trichinosis USA at January 6, 2010 12:11 PM How about an ostrich with its head up its own a$$. Posted by: Bob Bobmore at January 6, 2010 12:15 PM Theatrical Security Annoyances I think ostriches, lemmings and beheaded chickens need to figure prominently in the logo.
Posted by: Snarki, child of Loki at January 6, 2010 12:30 PM I think their motto should be something short and to the point, like: TSA -- legal molestation TSA -- Grabbed more balls than Jordan TSA -- Keep your knives, we're here for the pancake syrup Posted by: Chuck at January 6, 2010 12:35 PM This is so easy, I'll even donate the prizes to charity. Just make the logo a gigantic goatse. Posted by: Mark at January 6, 2010 12:38 PM Are we allowed to submit multiple entries, or just one logo per person? Posted by: Petréa Mitchell at January 6, 2010 12:45 PM Patrick got the order wrong on the words. Instead of: Tedium, Weakness, Farce it needs a better acronym: Weakness, Tedium, Farce Posted by: YXdr at January 6, 2010 1:06 PM i suggest a person being body-cavity-searched while holding the knife in its teeth mission statement could be: constantly searching at the wrong end Tenaciously Scanning Asses Posted by: z at January 6, 2010 1:36 PM I'll be the first to submit, though if need be I'll follow additional image upload instructions later. Here's my take: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11068720@N00/... Posted by: Sean Flanagan at January 6, 2010 1:37 PM My first thought is too simple. The logo could simply be a standard red circle and slash over the word "Everything". The slogan is one a friend quoted to me: I don't know the origin: "TSA Won't Be Happy Until You Fly Naked And In Chains". Posted by: Mark S at January 6, 2010 1:47 PM Typically Suspecting Americans Posted by: Eponymous at January 6, 2010 1:57 PM Theatro Securitas Absurdum Perhaps with a pig in the logo to go with the latin. Posted by: Rod at January 6, 2010 2:15 PM I suggest as a motto: Propinquus Stabilis Ianua, Equus est Absentis (close the barn door, the horse is gone). Posted by: Comrade E.B. Misfit at January 6, 2010 2:32 PM I like Bruce's motto suggestion: "Misapplying tomorrow's technologies to counter yesterday's threats." To illustrate, maybe one of those Star Trek scanners, with the words "scanning for muskets" on the screen. Posted by: Nathan at January 6, 2010 2:52 PM I think I've seen this elsewhere but don't remember for sure: Terror Support Agency Posted by: Mike at January 6, 2010 3:07 PM WE ARE 4 U !!!! (As a logo, Bill the Cat: http://www.amoeba.com/dynamic-images/blog/... Posted by: Roy at January 6, 2010 3:09 PM Equal representation for French mottos: Occupé à manger des beignets Posted by: Kingsnake at January 6, 2010 3:21 PM Seen somewhere: Posted by: Flo at January 6, 2010 3:30 PM Just FYI, the "circular eagle-and-flag motif" used in association with the TSA logo is the U.S. Department of Homeland Security seal. It is used in almost all of DHS's child agencies' logos (e.g., FEMA, TSA, CBP, USCIS, ICE, etc.). Two DHS agencies do have a "custom" logo—the Coast Guard and the Secret Service. Nitpicking, I know. I fully support the development of a custom branding for every travelers' favorite agency. Posted by: John Whittet at January 6, 2010 4:32 PM Hmm, If it has to be the usual US bird of pray and not the "wild turkey". How about it dropping like a stone with a surprised look on it's face and wings "blown upwards" by the wind rush. Around it's legs on of those 1700's devices invented to make cleaning soot out of chimnies easy. If you have not seen one it consists of two small cannon balls with a scisor like contraption to hold a "wild turkey's" legs. The idea was simple you put it on a live turkey and drop it down your chimney, the turkey flaps maddly on the way down knocking the soot down for you. On one ball have TSA on the other "Patriot Act" as a motto TSA Bringing you down since... Or for a T-Shirt TSA - For that Personal touch whilst traveling And of course since Capt Underpats, and the realisation body scaners won't work, "Touching Scrotums Authoritivly" Posted by: Clive Robinson at January 6, 2010 7:26 PM Let Veronica Mosier be your inspiration. What happens to her is what TSA does to the average air traveler. Posted by: Sick of TSA at January 6, 2010 7:46 PM TSA: Totally Search Anything TSA, when I first heard that name, I thought, wannabe NSA for Thug Security Apparatchick Anyway, while ripping on the TSA is good fun, and maybe even trendy, they are just a reflection of our pathetic society. Scapegoat the TSA, after all the fundamental failures of the USA? Government, Legal systam, Business Protection, Politics, Military, Revolving door, education, and lets not forget, FINANCIAL system. I'd say give the TSA a break, and relax some rules and let the guys loosen up, so that when things happen, they do not add to the problems. Posted by: PackagedBlue at January 6, 2010 8:43 PM This is an awesome contest, I wish I had some skill to participate in (I'd love a copy of any of your books). I've actually started my own series of articles over at my blog (http://blog.joseph-a-nagy-jr.us) over personal security and the Internet. Perhaps you could take a look at them? Posted by: Joseph A Nagy Jr at January 6, 2010 9:02 PM To borrow from a British term: Jobsworths Unlimited With a cartoon jet plane madly flapping its wings, descending with a pair of iron balls chained to its landing gear. Posted by: Sean at January 7, 2010 12:08 AM I have no logo to offer. Drawing is a bit beyond me. But how about some snappy phrases: "Doing poorly a job that needn't be done at all." Or "Just as every creature has it's hindpart, so does government." Or, "Gainfully employing the otherwise unemployable." or "Have it our way." or "Shut up, hands against wall." I'll think of others. Posted by: SteveLaudig at January 7, 2010 4:43 AM TSA - We went with the white shirts because they were cheaper than brown. Posted by: RM Vivas at January 7, 2010 6:28 AM Whatever rendition is chosen had better be extraordinary! :) Posted by: Dave B at January 7, 2010 7:38 AM TSA: Taking Sucka's Assets ~TSA Gangstaz Posted by: Rich Rumble at January 7, 2010 8:47 AM I'm thinking something with an Albatross in place of the Eagle... Posted by: G-mann at January 7, 2010 2:30 PM Here's my theatrical entry. A bit hodge podge, but I think the idea is clear. http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863773@N05/... "No lights, no cameras, no action, no fly list, no shoes, no liquid containers larger than 100ml, no ..." Posted by: Rhys Gibson at January 7, 2010 7:39 PM A good motto.... INCOMPETENCE OUR SHIELD, Not original with me, but good. Posted by: Pete at January 7, 2010 9:04 PM How about an image from the master: "If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever." L Or maybe use the two faces of drama to highlight the security theater aspect. :( :) Theatre Security Actors Posted by: George O. at January 7, 2010 9:25 PM Here's my first go (I have another, should get that done this weekend). Decided not to go down the 'great seal' route. (this is a png of the svg; if someone wants the svg just comment on flickr. CC licensed.) Posted by: Baz at January 7, 2010 9:40 PM If anybody wants some raw material to play with, here's a version of the TSA logo without the eagle: http://russnelson.com/temp/tsa-noeagle.png Maybe the stripes should become bars, with Lady Liberty peering out through them? Posted by: Russell Nelson at January 7, 2010 10:34 PM Here's my entry: http://russnelson.com/temp/tsa-bozo.png Posted by: Russell Nelson at January 7, 2010 10:37 PM My second entry, a bit more colourful: sleep is overrated. As before, holler if you want svg. Posted by: Baz at January 8, 2010 12:35 AM The true expansion for TSA is surely "Terror Successfully Achieved". Has any organization done more to terrorize the public than the TSA? Posted by: Michael at January 8, 2010 1:39 AM Quick and dirty photoshop work: Posted by: kurushio at January 8, 2010 7:27 AM How about "Terrorist Screening [Runs] Amok"? Posted by: cathy at January 8, 2010 9:36 AM The prizes are too good to ignore, so here's my entry. I've tried to capture the "essence" of the TSA, I hope you like it. I think I may print some t-shirts. Posted by: Tonio Loewald at January 8, 2010 11:50 AM It would help if I'd included the link, huh :-) Posted by: Tonio Loewald at January 8, 2010 11:52 AM To borrow from Obama's "yes we can" how about: TSA: No you can't! Posted by: Ross at January 8, 2010 2:19 PM It wouldn't kill me to double check the spelling... sorry. Corrected. Posted by: I love to fly and it shows. at January 8, 2010 4:39 PM After the way they turned a failed terrorist attack into a success, I think of them as the Terrorist Support Agency, myself: Posted by: Curt Sampson at January 8, 2010 8:27 PM Flanagan's logo (bird flipping the bird is brilliant) + actual name of the agency + Motto (sable scroll, bottom) "Tomorrow's Technology. Yesterday's Threats." = winner, IMO. Bonus points for motto in Latin. Posted by: Moe at January 8, 2010 10:18 PM TSA logo entry: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39610448@N04/... Posted by: shesparticular at January 10, 2010 11:40 AM I will be printing that 'Dept. of Security Theater' logo on stationary I will use for every boarding pass I ever print in the future. Posted by: Craig Danuloff at January 11, 2010 10:25 AM I'll give this idea out ther free for someone to draw it:
The words arching overhead read: Transportation Securitiy Administration and underneath in smaller letters: "Subdivision of Israel Defense Forces" Posted by: Bonnie at January 11, 2010 3:51 PM I think that every person should stop on their way to the airport at their local sex shop. Buy the biggest phallus you can. Stuff it in your pants (girls, you do it too). Wait until you go through the lineup. If they pat you down, when they get hold of it say loudly: "You can take your hand off my penis now." Or, after the pat down loudly announce that the person deserves a dollar for that handjob. If pulled aside for imaging screening, make sure that you wait patiently until they notice the object in your pants. When the mention it, loudly say, "Scuse me while I whip this out." And remove the phallus. If we could get a movement like this going, the TSA guys wouldn't be able to hire folk fast enough to deal with the PTSD turnover. Posted by: ShadesOfKnight at January 11, 2010 4:43 PM Just changed the colors. Nobody will ever notice. Posted by: Auximinus at January 11, 2010 5:19 PM Not a contender and not my original idea, but at a recent conference a well-known NZ security researcher was seen wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with: Theatrical Posted by: Nick FitzGerald at January 11, 2010 5:26 PM "Integrity, Team Spirit, Innovation" is/was? sewn around the border of the newest TSA (T-errorists S-talking A-irports) patch. Have you EVER seen an organization that had to SEW A REMINDER not to STEAL, LIE, and CHEAT on their own shoulders!!!! They STEAL from the "confiscated" items, BACK-STAB the PASSENGERS (and their CO-Workers) and "INNOVATIVELY" CHEAT on their own tests. Posted by: Maabel at January 12, 2010 6:18 AM These are great. I don't have a visual entry, but I'd like to contribute the song at my URL as a possible TSA theme song or anthem. Posted by: NotoriousRoscoe at January 12, 2010 8:40 AM Picture this: Posted by: Bassbusta at January 12, 2010 10:27 AM My submission. Located at Exit 42 off Interstate 95. http://www.flickr.com/photos/46525224@N04/... Posted by: Pope Noonius I at January 13, 2010 12:56 AM http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/opinion/... pulled from another Schneier thread: Posted by: Mike at January 13, 2010 11:38 AM I enjoyed reading this page this morning! Thank you Bruce and all. Posted by: Stephan at January 15, 2010 6:49 AM Funny, looks like Patrick Smith jacked the idea from this pilot forum 2 days before he posted it to his salon blog: Posted by: foo at January 15, 2010 12:34 PM TSA: Totally Screwing America Posted by: Dj at January 15, 2010 1:18 PM I put together a similar site a few years ago for the Department of Homeland Security: http://www.logo-contest.com/ Posted by: Joe M at January 15, 2010 3:18 PM What a great idea for a contest! And some of the entries already are pretty sharp...
Posted by: Matt at January 15, 2010 4:31 PM Thousands Standing Around (not original to me) has always been my favorite breakout for the TSA TLA. :) Posted by: Boomshadow at January 15, 2010 5:26 PM Am I the only one who feels this is too much TSA-bashing? Posted by: Maarten at January 16, 2010 4:51 PM Janet Incompetano has ruled all of you to be Right Wing Extremists! You are being watched and targeted. Posted by: eaglesquadronson at January 20, 2010 9:41 AM At least one person has referred to the Douglas Adams description of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, its logo (A planet wiggling fingers in ears, and stick out its tongue), and the accompanying legend "Don't Panic." I would like to suggest that, though unfortunately punctuated, this is perhaps the ideal legend. I'll leave the latinization to those better educated, but I will suggest a correctly punctuated version of the text: "Don't. Panic." Posted by: Chris Larson at January 20, 2010 9:39 PM http://docs.google.com/View?... I wish I were a word-art guru Posted by: Gideon at January 22, 2010 12:39 PM The TSA brutalised me at the WA truck-crossing border for over 2.5 hours. Probably there was training going on, for the expected surge of visitors to the Olympics, but that's no excuse. I was waved over. Then the car keys were demanded. I was marched inside, where I had to stand up for over two hours. I was not allowed to leave, visit the bathroom, etc.--basically false imprisonment. Then the entrapment phase: demanding I sign a declaration that I wasn't carrying anything. I said, "There might be something in the car, as I didn't have a chance to check...." Then a TSA doll walks in with a tiny Mandarin Orange box, about 6 x 5 x 5". I'd totally forgotten about it. It contained maybe four or five minuscule mandarins. The TSA guy leaned close. "These are from CHINA!" he snarled. OK, OK, I must be a terrorist! He went through every scrap of material in my wallet, saying, "This will help you; this won't help you," as if my execution was slated for the next hour. When he and he cronies retreated to their computers and private corners, doing who knows what, I began to cry. I'd been robbed the day before and wasn't feeling too strong. I cried for 45 minutes straight. They came back, wanting me to pay a $300 fine. I told them I don't have $300. They said, "You have credit cards." I told them the credit cards don't work, but if I give them permission to try them, it's an admission of guilt. I won't do it. They can see my next words are, "I want to call a lawyer." I'm thinking of how it's three hours earlier in HI and I can call my lawyer friend there--as if that will do much good. I'm still crying. All I want to do is drive down to Bellingham, pick up my books, and come back to Canada. Right away. They don't know what to do with this soppy old female. They give me a notice: I'm being fined up to $20K. I kid you not. No address, no process for protest or dispute on the page. They want me to sign. I won't. They ask for a statement. I give them one, making clear the false-imprisonment and entrapment facts. They let me go, with the stupid page of accusations. Apparently there will be a hearing, date and place and terms unknown, and I may be fined into bankruptcy. I have no idea what to do with it, but I get into the car. I feel raped. My car doesn't quite feel like mine. I wonder what they've done to it. I spend all of 47 minutes in the US, crying the whole time. I'm still crying when I get back to the Canada Customs. If they give me a hard time, I'll probably commit suicide or kill somebody.But all they do is have me pay the GST on the books I came to pick up. For days I feel dirty, besmirched, diminished. Although I lived there for many years, I want nothing more than never again to have to go through the effing US of A. Posted by: Eva van Loon at January 23, 2010 3:50 AM I drew this the second I read the Ask the Pilot article! Posted by: Travis at January 28, 2010 9:08 PM Nice one, Travis -- though I would argue putting a pair of toenail clippers in the eagle's right talon would be funnier. Posted by: DS at January 29, 2010 12:11 PM This one is incredible by the poster above: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/738722/drawing.png I applaud the subtle clever inclusions. Brilliant. Posted by: Reikon O. Musha at February 1, 2010 2:24 AM Great contest. Not much time for artistry, but I summarized my thoughts with a couple of text only pictures --- ( how do I submit these ? ... not for the contest, too late for that, --- just to vent ? Posted by: Balu at February 7, 2010 8:32 PM I fly all the time and can't wait to have some fun with this. So awesome!!! Posted by: JMo at February 15, 2010 9:48 AM These logos need a short phrase, Who knows a good latin translation for "Perception is Reality" ?!!! Posted by: Frank at February 18, 2010 2:17 PM Another brainiac idea: How about using the two masks typically associated with theatre, except that instead of the crying and laughing masks we have crying and *angry* masks. Posted by: Frank at February 18, 2010 2:23 PM @ Frank, "except that instead of the crying and laughing masks we have crying and *angry* masks." Nagh what you want is that pained "internal examination by black rubber glove" expression with overtones of outrage, as your wallet is also extracted and empted at the same time by the glove wielding TSA person with size 14 hands... And for those of a more delicate disposition please do not hold that thought... Posted by: Clive Robinson at February 18, 2010 4:17 PM Actually I agree with Frank's comment there. Posted by: Gina at March 16, 2010 6:36 AM Post a comment
Powered by Movable Type. Photo at top by Steve Woit.
Schneier.com is a personal website. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of BT. |
|
Comments