We discussed the definition of camouflage in our post Hiding in Plain Sight:  if something is camouflage, then it is attempting to be protected by misrepresenting itself to appear to be part of the natural surroundings. 

The SqishHistorically, camouflage was developed as an early form of biomimicry used by combatants in an attempt to be invisible to the enemy.  In the jungle of our suburban landscape, camouflage is being utilized to hide inanimate objects from the enemy critic who has determined that the natural form of the satellite dish is ugly and should be disguised to blend in with the natural surrounding of the brick veneer. 

In the age of wireless communication, the satellite dish was once linked with status; however, as satellite television has become easily accessible, the compact TV satellite dish has become ubiquitous and deemed unattractive.  A company called Sqish has developed a new flat dish that blends in with the structure on which it is mounted by use of "sqishoflage," which utilizes user-supplied photographic siting input to develop a self-adhesive sticker to apply to the surface of the dish that matches the dish's background.  And suddenly we have an attractive dish?  No, you can't see it--it's camouflage, remember?  Wait, I think I see something...what is that matte-finish faux-brick protrusion extending from your wall?  This is a self-described "funky" alternative, and it is obviously not a mainstream replacement for the satellite dish.

Typical apartment building TV satellite dish installationAnother recent attempt to address the issues with the dish "problem" was to draw attention to, rather than hide, the circular dish shape by "pimping" the dishes through individual artistic makeovers.  This unique effort was a project instigated by an artist, not by the satellite dish owners or the city.  We do not see this type of action as a solution to the perceived problem, either.

As sustainable home practices become more en vogue, satellite dish appearances become more dated.  It is within the eye of the urban beholder where it has been determined that residential windmills and even solar panels mounted on homes are acceptable (if not attractive) because of their sustainably productive qualities and for the values for which they stand.  But as less and less effort is invested into aesthetics of the mass-produced satellite dish in an effort to keep costs down to compete with cable, the satellite dish will continue to dot the suburban landscape with their grey yet functional selves until, we believe, they become outdated or hybridized with an energy-producing feature such as a solar panel or windmill.