Let's add serendipity.

I was contemplating the Usenet meme "AICMFP" (and I claim my five pounds)
which originated, IIRC, in newspaper campaigns in the '50s and '60s where
a picture was published by the paper (on local posters, I think) of
someone who would be wandering around a popular seaside holiday resort (in
the UK?) in high summer (in the UK?) and the task was to see this person,
and (holding a current copy of the paper) challenge them with

"You are the Daily Mail Lying ******* and I claim my £5"

At which point you are rewarded with £5.

Now this meme is still active - see the discussion on wind farms today -
but I can't remember when I last saw this kind of campaign.

Which may be a comment on the average age of Usenet posters, of course.

However I was also contemplating why this might not be effective today.

(1) £5? The paper costs nearly that much and why would I put down my
skinny latte just to challenge some oik to get £5? Now when I was a lad £5
was worth £5! Tank full of petrol at least, maybe two.

(2) No popular seaside resorts in the UK any more - perhaps Spain instead?
Can our readers who can still remember, remember when resorts like
Lowestoft and Blackpool were heaving with people, beaches were packed,
promenades were packed, B&B guest houses and hotels were packed, strange
cycle contraptions pedalled by groups of noisy youths roamed the streets,
kiss me quick hats etc.?

All destroyed by package holidays to warmer climes.

(3) Technology. These days if the poor sod who was wandering about with £5
notes was spotted, there would be a social media frenzy to organise a
flash mob to surround the money tree in minutes.

Pragmatism would also dictate that the paper was shared around the flash
mob to limit the overhead on getting your £5.

(4) The poor sod would probably be mugged for the pocket full of fivers
within the hour.

Cynical, moi?

Mainly interesting how this once popular publicity scheme still has echoes
on Usenet.

Cheers

Dave R