This is the collection box I set up at my work. I will make it prettier soon.

Monthly Statement:
September 2005
59 AOL cd's from 7 folks.

To gather these cd's, I've emailed and talked to all my friends and coworkers. I've created 8 different email addresses to be able to make 8 postings on Craigslist per week in different cities (see below for link).

I've had quite a few people ask me if I was ONLY collecting AOL cd's (Earthlink, and possibly a few other companies send cd's as advertisements too). I think I will accept these other companies' discs, because it's the same kind of advertisement that I find objectionable. I will, however, treat them differently: I'll keep a separate tally and figure out a different destination at the end of this accumulation project.

I'm calling this project "Pillars of Decency" (I'm stacking up all the cd's I obtain into pillars when exhibited).

I've been posting this to Craigslist-->
http://allentown.craigslist.org/wan/100130093.html

There have been two instances where people have responded very negatively to my project, having found my add there.
Here is a transcript of one of them:

THEM: Why don't you get a life!

ME: Thank you for your interest.
I feel that using compact discs (cd's) as a form of advertisement is wasteful.
Here's a useful document put out by the United States Environmental Protection Agency-->
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/students/finalposter.pdf
It details just how much material and what processes are used to make a compact disc.
I'm quite certain that most advertisements are thrown in the trashcan (this includes cd's from companies such as AOL Time Warner). How long does it take for a cd to decompose in a landfill? I'm not exactly sure, but it's got to be a long time, and we shouldn't be adding more to our landfills than absolutely necessary.
I just feel this type of advertisement is a wasteful practice, and in my own little way, I'm doing something about it.
Thank you for your time, and I welcome your response!

THEM: I'll say it again, Eric. Get a life!!

ME: What do you mean exactly by telling me to 'get a life'?
Do you mean that humorously challenging a giant corporation's advertising
techniques is an uphill battle, that it is impossible to change?
Do you mean that caring enough about life and wanting to change a
destructive practice is a bad thing?
Talk to you soon,
Eric

So if you want to send me any AOL CD's, give me an email!!
eric@dogseat.org

Process:
I changed the process of collecting slightIy. I will no longer be taking AOL cd's from displays. Through dialog with others, I decided that that taking cd's from displays tells the companies supplying them that they are more in demand, and that is something I wish to avoid. This forces me to concentrate on gathering cd's from people who already have them, or will receive them. I will accumulate as many AOL cd's over the course of the year as possible. I will enlist the help of friends and strangers through word of mouth, emails, craigslist, and other existing social networks.

My role in this project is to gather as many AOL CD's as possible until September 2006. I will stack them and build "Pillars of Decency" (a funny comment on the wastefulness of this form of advertisement). The more I get, the taller the "Pillars" will be!

When the year is over, I will donate them to --> http://www.nomoreaolcds.com/

What I would like from you is the following:
1. Your AOL CD's! - The ones you and your friends, family and neighbors receive in the mail! Whenever you find some, keep them and think of me.
2. Get the CD's to me. - If you live in the New York City area, I can probably pick them up, if you have a bunch, or you can mail them to me (sorry, I have $0.00 budget for this project, so I can't reimburse you for postage. However, I will offer you fame and good feelings by mentioning your name in thanks when the project is exhibited. If you send them "Bulk Mail" it will be cheaper!)
-OR- Send me an email, and we'll figure out how to get the CD's to me. (see below for addresses)
3. Tell your friends! - Talk to, or email your friends, family, coworkers, strangers, etc. about this project. The more the better!That's it.
I very much appreciate your time and effort in making this project a success, and welcome you to check out the website frequently, as it grows every month!

Eric Brown
93 Bright St.
Jersey City, NJ 07302
eric@dogseat.org