The interesting thing about advertising is that there is no way to escape it. This type of propaganda is so engrained in our daily lives that we have no choice but to succumb to it. Every corner we turn, every store we pass, every time we turn on the radio or the television, it’s there. I almost see it as an attack on my conscience because it actually seeps into my subconscious, I dream about things that have been advertised to me as things that I desire and want more than anything else. It amazes me that advertising can have such a powerful grip on my everyday life, yet that is the crux of consumerism and capitalism. We in fact pay for the advertisements that are thrust upon us on average 3000 times per day, we pay for them when we buy the products being advertised! I can’t decide whether that’s brilliant or deceptive, maybe a little of both. Advertising is so embedded in our lives that children are main targets because they are now being brought up in a society where the more material items you have, the more successful and wonderful you are. Vivian mentions the Advertising Standards of Canada and whether or not they are always followed in ads. This is where I find some conflict. We have ads that pertain to the standards of protecting our children in that “products cannot be shown encouraging use that may be dangerous.” OK, so the use of dangerous products cannot be encouraged but the purchase of dangerous products can be and is encouraged (ie. alcohol, guns etc.), where is the logic here? Advertising really only benefits the capitalists because we are no longer even in a position to enjoy what we have, they just make us want more.
This week’s readings certainly give us something to think about! Are we being seduced by advertising, or simply being fed what we want? In the former case we are simply victims who have no control over ourselves or our environment; have no personal control of life or freedom of choice! Do we really believe that? I think not. One good think about reaching 70 is that I know I may not have time to do all the things I want to, therefore, I certainly don’t have time to waste on watching the advertisements, or too much TV for that matter! Communicating with real live people (maybe family for instance) is far more fulfilling, and they don’t continually remind me that I need to fit this false ideal of womanhood!
Great post! It is so true that advertising is everywhere, and it is damn near impossible to escape it. I completely agree with you about how advertisers target kids, especially teens. It is so easy for advertisers to convince kids/teens that they won’t be “cool” unless they have the newest toys and products. Advertisers know that teens often have some disposal income, and that they will commonly “buy into” the product that is being sold, and they use this to their advantage. As annoying and frustrating as advertising is, I think it is just something that we will continually have to deal with, and continue to look at critically.
Those sneaky advertisers with their word selection! It’s incredible how much the wording of a phrase can alter and/or persuade an individual to purchase one item over another. I think it is funny how you mentioned that “the USE of dangerous goods” cannot be condoned, however “the PURCHASE of dangerous goods” can. What kind of world are we living in? I wish there was a way to block out ads that give off messages such as the one you mentioned. Weirdly enough, I do not mind ads that advertise food, clothing or accessories. I do find it frustrating when there are ads that could potentially be harmful to themselves or others around them.
Even as I sit here in my kitchen reading your post on my MAC am disheartened that the lovely apple symbol on the back of my laptop that I HEART so dearly is actually a form of propaganda…sure looks delicious though