I admit it. I yell at the news. I also yell at commercials too. Some days, I'm not sure which lies more. My kids think I'm crazy, but after I calm down, I explain (rant) how the commercial is misleading. Personally I've been mad at advertising since I found out that the toys from my generation didn't walk, talk, and dance they way they did on TV. Darn old toys, still forcing me to use my imagination.
Tho the toys have actually gotten better, advertising has become more powerful. There's the old "Nag Factor" (refer to the excellent documentary "The Corporation" for an easily-digestible explanation) which toymakers count on to get parents to buy a toy for their children, yet more than that, it's been shown that they are counting on the short attention span of children to create a new fad every season. It's no wonder I'd rather my kids accidentally see a boob on Netflix than actually watch the boob tube.
It's not just kids who are affected by the advertisements. How often do you really need to buy a new car? How much good iron (plastic, etc) get crushed in car crusher to fuel or need for the latest vehicle. Cars are sold to men like shoes are sold to women. Feeling Bad; looking down at you feet? Get something new.
Not ready to feel old yet? Stay away from the TV. They have every imaginable little ailment blown up into a life, (or at least social life) threatening situation. That's not just heartburn, it's the first sign of a "serious esophageal problem"- you could get cancer and die! What if you really do have one of those problems, and you've dealt with it? You're constantly being reminded it could come back! Worse yet, how about if you are really sick with something? Do you want to be reminded every commercial break of your favorite show how embarrassing it is that you gotta wear adult diapers? No wonder we've got hypochondriacs everywhere and old people willingly put themselves in nursing homes, to "retire" (read as: shut up and die) from society.
Man with a mid life crisis? Get that car you couldn't afford as a kid and a penis pill. All those herbal supplements for male performance probably really get to an man with size, stiffness or other male "ego" problem. Can't afford any of this stuff? Too bad, you'll just have to resort to other easy ways of feeling stronger, like dominating those weaker than you.
For some real comedy/irony, realize that Google's Adsense program shows ads based on what a webpage is about, and take a look around at the ads that show up on this post.
I'm not saying that advertising is the root of our societal problems. Yet the traditional advertising fear tactic of: one, you have a problem you weren't aware of or thinking about, and two, buy our product to fix it, feeds our fears and inadequacies in a way that makes us a neurotic society.
A baby embarrassed to be seen in an old, reliable car? Really? Really?
Turn off the cable, watch a good movie, don't get involved in the "damn yourself" game and know, that yesterday, today, and tomorrow- You Are Good Enough.
