The Love Song Of J Alfred Prufrock

I’ve mentioned this before, but what the hell. In 2001 or thereabouts, AIG ran a series of TV commercials based around the concept of taking risks. Say what you will about AIG and their ability to properly manage risk, but their commercials were occasionally something to behold. Best of all of ’em was a commercial featuring a woman reading “The Love Song Of J Alfred Prufrock” by TS Elliot over scenes from the early space program, starting with disasters and ending with triumph. The tagline was “The greatest risk is not taking one.” Now that the US has no manned spaceflight capability… this message is *hammered* home.

[youtube WJX_TaCFg50]

Now, as then, this little video brings a tear to my eye. Shut up. It’s dusty in here.

Also good – but not nearly as good – is another AIG commercial from the same series that was based around the development of flight:

[youtube P3Sd7MnHMaM&NR]