[vietor]

> and a US bias

If you'd stuck around you might have noticed that the project is, essentially, European. The main contributers all live there, they receive funding through Eurostars, and I don't remember any of their gatherings/sprints being held outside of Europe.

In the future you might want to watch that knee-jerk reaction, it can put your foot right in your mouth.

Given the history and imagery of "Uncle Sam", it becoming the equivalent of a genericized trademark cracks me up and makes me marvel at the longevity of a well crafted marketing shtick.

[marquis]

I did read the site further, and realised quickly it wasn't a US-centric group. I am by far a reactionary person and if it made me initially click away, I felt it was better to make a comment so the author could see it, rather than keeping it myself - considering the post is calling for collaboration.

The use of the image has remained culturally strong because of the many brilliant satirical treatments it has received, not because it is a powerful signifier calling for people to work together.

[starpilot]

You need to get out more.

[VB6_Forever]

Which came first, the Uncle Sam image or this one? http://www.sterlingtimes.org/kitchener.jpg

[sp332]

Kitchener's poster was first. Uncle Sam may be the most famous, but lots of people have used it since. https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Lord_Kitchene...

EDIT: much cooler link http://www.artlebedev.com/mandership/154/

[vietor]

Nice link, thanks. It should have been obvious that "eye contact" and a pointing finger would be a very common theme.