[caption id="attachment_5246" align="alignright" width="225" caption="ASI co-founder and President, Madsen Pirie "]
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Our tube campaign for Madsen Pirie's Think Tank: The Story of the Adam Smith Institute has been causing quite a flap! Channel 4's political correspondent, Michael Crick, tweeted today:
@MichaelLCrick Biteback are advertising Madsen Pirie's book Think Tank, on ASI, with big underground posters. Amazing for such a limited interest topic
Just what is a limited interest topic? Whether you agree with the ethos of the Adam Smith Institute or not, its influence cannot be denied. Spearheading a rejection of state planning and controls, they helped to put incentives and enterprise firmly back into the political mainstream. Their influence was extraordinary, even revolutionary. Britain’s new passwords became opportunity, aspiration and the free market. With no backing and no resources, save their own conviction, a handful of motivated individuals managed to play a role in transforming the prospects of a nation. Think Tank tells the story of those individuals.
There are some stories which might be best remaining outside the public consciousness. Details of various politicians's extra-marital-affairs (there are some people you just DON'T want to think about in that way, thanks very much). That time Tony Blair had suspected trapped wind. Herman Cain singing Amazing Grace at a press conference (because clearly that's how you react to rumours of sexual harassment). But there are some stories which shouldn't be limited in their outreach.
If we want stories like these to reach the mainstream it's up to us to make sure we promote them. So make sure you keep a look out for posters for Think Tank around the tube and more importantly, make sure you read the book!