http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/infomercials-has-made-us-feel-that-a-lot-of-things-are-needed-for-survival
An advertisement of an item which I do not have is so depicted with the help of models that it creates a sense of incompleteness in me. It mesmerizes me to believe that if I did have that product my life would become so much better and the problem which I had been facing because of its dearth will be solved. Was I brain washed I sometime wonder?
Advertising has been called an art form, freedom of speech, propaganda, healthy capitalism and what makes the world go round. But the most powerful element in advertising is the “truth” which is lacking off late. This lack of truth has reduced the level of advertising to consumerism. Consumerism is the cause for materialism and hoarding. Consumerism interferes with the workings of society by replacing the normal logical desire for an adequate supply of life's necessities with those which are purchased with little utility. This has in-turn encouraged the corporate world to cash on by producing and marketing those which was already available naturally, amounting to capitalism.
There are about a hundred beauty products that are advertised every day which has wiped of the use of turmeric as an anti-septic, anti-bacterial and to curb the growth of excessive facial hair. About a decade or two home remedies would work wonders but though it has not lost its effect now we live in a world where one finds it easy to press a tube rather than make a paste of turmeric rhizome. Neem leaf was used to clear skin but now for those in the cities it has been difficult to find a neem tree. Aloe Vera which can be planted in a small pot also does not find its relevance as there are extracts of it marketed in tubes.
In electronic gadget sector also we find the same I sometime wonder how I could have manage my factory delivery schedules without a mobile about a decade back. Though a mobile phone was introduced just to make and receive calls now it is marketed more like a camera, mp3 and mp4 player and personal computer. Earlier marketing and advertising were used as a tool to sell a product now they have become instruments of milking money out of rich. In a simple cookery show the host insists on the same brand of oil or ghee that has sponsored the show, this is height of inception.
This blog does not stand against marketing or advertisement but does want to look at the way it is used to enhance consumerism. There are many products which do not really need their service like for example food products which should have been our personal choice. But then, here is the egg first or hen first situation, is it the personal choice or the advertisement impact. Question is that are we capable enough of thinking for ourselves or do we have advertisements and marketing people telling us what to buy? The information on the product has given way to Infomercials era of advertising where in the brain wash happens. This is an aspect of consumerism is what I feel has to be avoided. A person has to make an informed decision to buy something on his own. There is no harm in buying a product he needs but with the world being as manipulative as it is, it is hard to find anyone thinking of buying a product he needs. Added to all these there is brand name which make one impulsive to buy. Consumerism on its own is not dangerous but consumerism of our thoughts is………What say?????
An advertisement of an item which I do not have is so depicted with the help of models that it creates a sense of incompleteness in me. It mesmerizes me to believe that if I did have that product my life would become so much better and the problem which I had been facing because of its dearth will be solved. Was I brain washed I sometime wonder?
Advertising has been called an art form, freedom of speech, propaganda, healthy capitalism and what makes the world go round. But the most powerful element in advertising is the “truth” which is lacking off late. This lack of truth has reduced the level of advertising to consumerism. Consumerism is the cause for materialism and hoarding. Consumerism interferes with the workings of society by replacing the normal logical desire for an adequate supply of life's necessities with those which are purchased with little utility. This has in-turn encouraged the corporate world to cash on by producing and marketing those which was already available naturally, amounting to capitalism.
There are about a hundred beauty products that are advertised every day which has wiped of the use of turmeric as an anti-septic, anti-bacterial and to curb the growth of excessive facial hair. About a decade or two home remedies would work wonders but though it has not lost its effect now we live in a world where one finds it easy to press a tube rather than make a paste of turmeric rhizome. Neem leaf was used to clear skin but now for those in the cities it has been difficult to find a neem tree. Aloe Vera which can be planted in a small pot also does not find its relevance as there are extracts of it marketed in tubes.
In electronic gadget sector also we find the same I sometime wonder how I could have manage my factory delivery schedules without a mobile about a decade back. Though a mobile phone was introduced just to make and receive calls now it is marketed more like a camera, mp3 and mp4 player and personal computer. Earlier marketing and advertising were used as a tool to sell a product now they have become instruments of milking money out of rich. In a simple cookery show the host insists on the same brand of oil or ghee that has sponsored the show, this is height of inception.
This blog does not stand against marketing or advertisement but does want to look at the way it is used to enhance consumerism. There are many products which do not really need their service like for example food products which should have been our personal choice. But then, here is the egg first or hen first situation, is it the personal choice or the advertisement impact. Question is that are we capable enough of thinking for ourselves or do we have advertisements and marketing people telling us what to buy? The information on the product has given way to Infomercials era of advertising where in the brain wash happens. This is an aspect of consumerism is what I feel has to be avoided. A person has to make an informed decision to buy something on his own. There is no harm in buying a product he needs but with the world being as manipulative as it is, it is hard to find anyone thinking of buying a product he needs. Added to all these there is brand name which make one impulsive to buy. Consumerism on its own is not dangerous but consumerism of our thoughts is………What say?????
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