AIG

[sugarpop]

I didn't say we shouldn't have any advertising, I said I thought the industry should be reformed. And I stand by that.

Advertising is responsible for creating a nation of self-absorbed, insecure, seriously fucked up people who can't think for themselves. You really should read Adbusters sometime. Go to Barnes and Noble and sit and read one. It's a great magazine.

[DanaC]

Originally Posted by sugarpop

Advertising is responsible for creating a nation of self-absorbed, insecure, seriously fucked up people who can't think for themselves.

Yes. And a nation of self-absorbed, insecure, seriously fucked-up people who can't think for themselves is responsible for creating the advertising culture.

or maybe not. Because maybe America isn't a nation of self-absorbed, insecure, seriously fucked-up people who can't think for themselves. My God you have a bleak view of your society. Or perhaps you are apart from them? Do you not include yourself in that? Is it just everybody else who is fucked up and unable to think?

Sorry. That came across more aggressively than was my intent. But really, society is more than just a purchasing public.



@ Redux: I didn't argue against restraints ion advertising. I am all for advertising standards and governmental control in order to prevent people being conned outright. I just disagree with the idea that advertising is either the devil, or responsible for society's ills. It is indicative of many societal problems and concerns. It may well contribute to some very unsavoury aspects of our cultrure (such as gender constructions which sexualise girls at younger and younger ages). But that isn't advertising per se, it is how we use that tool, the desires which it draws on and propogates that contain the darkness.

[TGRR]

Originally Posted by DanaC

Because maybe America isn't a nation of self-absorbed, insecure, seriously fucked-up people who can't think for themselves.

[tw]

Originally Posted by DanaC

Yes. And a nation of self-absorbed, insecure, seriously fucked-up people who can't think for themselves is responsible for creating the advertising culture.

Not at all aggressive. Quite honest because you express it in a tone that makes your statement more honest.

Society did not change. Percentage of people who blindly believe only what they are told has been (should be) constant. What changed? We never had extremists inspiring the naive to believe half truths and sound bytes using the same techniques that Hitler used. We never had so many Rush Limbaughs promoting outright lies and myths. American radio now sounds similar to the Radio Moscow broadcasts I once listened to in the 1960s.

What has changed? America always had profitable companies such as Geritol, Luden's cough drops, and cigarettes promoted for health. What we now have are extremists (people who work for a political agenda) telling the naive that sound bytes alone make one a political and economic expert. That is what has changed. Look at how many still are so ignorant as to believe tax cuts create long term economic growth.

Once upon a time, Democrats and Republicans argued by day and drank together by night. Today, America has too many extremists and a shortage of centrists (the intelligent people). Difficult is for centrists (ie Specter of PA, Snow of Maine, etc) to have the influence that once dominated American politics. Made so difficult because so many so hate American as to listen to and believe the Rush Limbaugh types.

Once upon a time, those who did not learn before having an opinion need not aggressively express opinions. Today, soundbytes make the lesser educated Americans into experts. After all, Rush Limbaught told them; so it must be true. That is what has changed.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by tw

Quite honest because you express it in a tone that makes your statement more honest.

Difficult is for centrists (ie Specter of PA, Snow of Maine, etc) to have the influence that once dominated American politics.

Cough/singlebullet theory/cough

Originally Posted by tw

Once upon a time, those who did not learn before having an opinion need not aggressively express opinions.

Interesting concept

Originally Posted by tw

Today, soundbytes make the lesser educated Americans into experts.

Funny how you are now a centrist, since when? I notice that you constantly call out one right wing wacko and NEVER mention those on the far left who do exactly the same thing. Why is that?