The most influential and thought-provoking industry in our nation is advertising. Much of what they do borders on the subliminal because of constant repetition.
It is not always truthful, but it turns out that legal minds have reviewed the message and made recourse virtually impossible or extremely expensive and difficult. This segment of our economy is used by business, political adversaries, and opinion manipulation motivated by special interests.
The messages in a commercial do not always relate to sales. Our capitalist social structure fosters commercials to encourage an increased flow of capital into our economic system. The money is supplied by consumers, who are mostly part of what is referred to as the middle class.
Obviously, the middle class comprises the major portion of the population and is therefore the target of the ever-increasing crescendo of ads and suggestive lingo to encourage purchases.
It would seem quite possible that if we, the middle class, would succumb to all their pleas to purchase, we would be stripped of our last penny. Fortunately, folks are not easily misled. Perhaps we are waiting for the jobs to come, as promised by those who demanded huge tax cuts to do business in the United States
Some of the pharmaceutical ads proclaim certain drugs as beneficial and healthful. A couple of years later we find that the same drug is dangerous to our health. It’s hard to believe that a reputable pharmaceutical company and the FDA would allow such unethical and incompetent behavior.
Many of these drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, are used by the younger generation to produce mind-altering drugs. A generation of alchemists are trying to produce substances that could destroy young minds. A sobering conclusion to thoughtless actions.
Automobiles are another product aimed at the younger folks. At a time when gasoline is so expensive, we see and hear ads describing the ability of some autos to reach 60 miles per hour in a matter of a few seconds. These ads are accompanied by the roar of powerful motor and screeching tires to accentuate the ad message. Just the thing for a young man to mimic as he takes the family car out for a drive. Sadly, too often this causes a young inexperienced driver to get hurt or killed.
Advertising is very much a part of our economic engine. Without it, sales would become stagnant and unprofitable. But it is also used indiscriminately, without any regard for ethical or truthful conduct.
If information in the ad seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Erling Landsverk
King