Advantage Quote by Banksy
“Policemen and security guards wear hats with a peak that comes down low over their eyes. Apparently this is for psychological reasons. Eyebrows are very expressive and you appear a lot more authoritative if you keep them covered up. The advantage of this is that it makes a lot harder for cops to see anything more than six foot off the ground. Which is why painting rooftops and bridges is so easy.”
About This Quote
Source Street Art: Unknown Location, 2015
Hats with low peaks obscure eyes, reducing perceived authority and limiting visual range, aiding covert surveillance.
In simple terms: Hats hide eyes, making authority less obvious.
Key Takeaway
Consider visual cues in authority perception.
Themes
design
psychology
surveillance
Mood
critical
observational
Type
sociology
design
When to use this quote
- urban design
- security planning
Key Concepts
visual perception
authority dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do visual elements influence power dynamics?
- Can design truly limit observation?
A Different Perspective
Effectiveness may be symbolic more than practical.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
