Titanic Post

I know a lot of people who still say that advertising doesn’t affect their decision to buy something, if they don’t want to buy it. But it does work, whether we realize it or not. Here’s how:

Advertising shapes our consciousness by pointing out our shortcomings. If we only drove the “right” car and drank the “right” beer, we would better fit into our chosen peer group and not be so anxious about ourselves. Through the constant bombardment of advertising, we are kept in a permanent state of discontent and anxiety. This is stress.

Marketing experts study people and their preferences. They know what age, sex, and income groups their product will appeal to. They know what words, sounds, colors, images, and situations will likely cause the consumers to buy their product. And they know how to permanently dismantle the human faculty for critical thought. How else could they get you to buy their crap?

Still not convinced? Look around and see how many things you have bought that are not as useful as you thought. What things give you no pleasure? How many politicians have you voted for that, when elected, sold out you and your values for a better deal with corporate lobbyists?

Advertising has little substance or information and relies on manipulation to weaken the consumers ability to think critically. If there were no utility in advertising, they wouldn’t do it, but don’t believe me—think about it! Think critically!