:::advertising:::

maybe i'm missing something but i don't get what's wrong with advertising? you try to sell a (let's say) antique tea pot, you post a classified ad in your local paper, someone who would have never met you before picks up the paper, sees the ad, buys the teapot...i'm not quite sure the harm in that.

 

the difference is you are not trying to sell an image.

 

I still think advertising is too often used as a scape goat for bigger problems. Binge drinking, smoking, etc. let’s just blame their glorifying in the media and forget that people only reach for them because they make their lives a bit better, and they need them to be a bit better, because…

 

but the issue here is advertising not image-obsession...if i am understanding this thread correctly.

and advertising has done some mighty good things in our society as well...it has brought recognition and legitimacy to many groups that have long been discriminated against. advertising campaigns are some of the first to project african americans as beautiful, affluent, etc., the same with many other minority groups including LGBT.

 

But that's the thing, in essence advertising is image-obsession - they are selling the product through the image, and the image is false. An SUV won't buy you security, the new fridge won't make you happy, and drinking Heineken will not get you that pretty girl in a bar. They use the same tools as politics - lying. They are selling a dream-world.

There is definitey place and benefit of having information at your fingertips - like when you research buying a car for example - but buying a car based on an advertisement is silly. Just look at all those BMWs out there, 90% of the drivers don't appreciate the driving prowess the car offers - they buy the car for the logo.

 

I'm sure they don't appreciate the poor dependability either when that expensive car of theirs breaks down.

The only "luxury car" brand I can think of with solid ratings from people like Consumer Reports is Lexus. And I know too many people with BMWs that are just crap. I'm sure the driving is nice, but I think it'd wear a bit thin on me after repair after repair...

 

I'll have to admit I like some of it ... but a large part is revolting .. want to check out Ads froma specific perpective? Check out commercialcloset.com

 

ok, here i go again...

the problem with advertising is that you can't really ignore it in this society and yes, it's jus a fact of life...

but the thing is...somewhere along the way, advertising went from telling people about a product to making people think they need the product...

my problem with it is that advertising will never tell the consumer "They're Okay" and thus so many social issues are created...

i do admire some ads though...Kenneth Cole and Bennetton, both hav pushed the limits amazingly...

 

It undermines the fundamental assumption of the free market.

 

im actually doing a paper on advertising, and the pros/cons etc.

some very good insight here, would love some more

 

I think you said it quite simple. Ad's are there to tell us who is the best. It gives you the chance to say you want to be a part of a particular lifestyle.

 

Kenneth rocks! I love those saying of his. How I would love to work for him!