Edited by author 07-09-2003 07:29 PM
Great article. I read it in a different context, my field of architecture, and your points are still valid. Branding in architecture is a oft lamented dilemma in the trade and among architecture critics, but now I see it as part of a larger "branding" phenomenon.

As I mull it over, "style" can be derivative and still be innovative and creatively original, fresh ..... but slavish branding cannot really be any of those things.

Hope you don't mind, I posted a link to your article at this discussion on a similar topic: http://forum.theatlantic.com/WebX?11@133.Ub6Pan0UgTl.1@.2cb4ea57