How much will national debt clocks help raise the awareness about the astronomical proportions of public debt?

The National Debt Clock is a billboard-sized display installed on Sixth Avenue in Manhattan which is constantly updated to show the current United States public debt and each family’s share. In the midst of extensive media attention devoted to the financial crisis of 2007–2008, some news reports again turned to the National Debt Clock as a symbol and metaphor, particularly highlighting the fact that the clock ran out of digits when the U.S. public debt rose above $10 trillion on September 30, 2008. Inspired by the example of the National Debt Clock, similar projects were started elsewhere in the United States, as well as in other countries such as Germany. (from Wikipedia)