Advertising Leads People to View Luxuries as Necessities

[Yehonala]

"Advertising often results in overspending and over-consumption by creating artificially induced needs. The usual catch phrases are “New”, “An exclusive offer”, “Everyone has one of these”, and/or “You deserve the best." Other fallacious "Protect your children with ...” not to mention lastly "Want to know what women really like?" manipulate the minds of targeted groups and raise/lower self esteem to encourage people to purchase their products."

http://businesslinkshere.com/AdvertisingLeadsPeopletoViewLuxuriesasNecessities.aspx

[Deja Q]

1. "the new normal"

1. Where are the payphones so people don't need cell phones?
2. Thankfully the internet replaces TVs but the internet is a 'luxury' too (until you read any of a brazillion job ads claiming experience is required...)
3. Ditto for a computer.

I could go on...

Sometimes things are embellished, but sometimes they are not. As long as the WHOLE picture is represented, I'm fine with that. Like articles that claim that $11.75/hr is a great wage for a programmer as that person got hired for $11.75 in 1979 yet not bothering to mention cost of living and other differentials, fuck 'em. Spare the spun b.s..

[imdjh]

3. The last time I used a pay phone, it stole my money.

The time before was a warm summer day and the previous user seemed to have had vaseline on his or her ear. That was nasty.

[exboyfil]

5. I would give up my television long before I gave up my Internet

ditto for my books, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, etc. The computer and internet easily save me what I spend on it. I have two computers and one TV, and I would get rid of the TV if my wife let me.

I have more interesting lectures than I have time to listen to on the internet.
I can get a host of audiobooks free legally on the internet.
Most magazine content is available on the internet.
Obviously encyclopedic knowledge is a click away.

I don't have to depend on my local paper or a trip to the library to get news that is not covered by the local media.

You can get free movies and television shows. The internet allows you to reserve a dollar movie at a local store so when you go you know what you will get.

The internet is an invaluable learning tool. My kids have access to incredible knowledge (far than what can be found in the Encyclopedia Britanica).

I agree with you about cell phones, but they are very nice to have for an emergency or if you really need to get ahold of someone. They are definitely overused. We keep a Tracphone and purchase minutes every three months (works about to be about $9/mo.). If I ever go cell, it will be all cell and I will drop the land line.

I get to engage in intelligent conversation with folks on DU. I don't get that at my workplace (mostly filled with Sarah Palin slash and burn conservative types).

[imdjh]

2. Most advertising leads me to view Americans as idiots.

I always assume that the advertisers wouldn't spend their money in that way if it didn't work. So it's reasonable to assume that the consumers they target really are as stupid as one would conclude.

Speaking of which, GQ has a good article on the Enzyte guy going to jail.

[NNadir]

4. Would that include a Tesla electric car and a swell solar PV system to power it?

In fact, would it include every car ever made any where for any purpose?

The matter of marketing the idea of cars is covered eloquently and insightfully in Katie Alvord's http://books.google.com/books?id=yVw0z-Vm1IAC&dq=Divorce+your+car&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=mCKnvwJksi&sig=RUYiITcRqCCtGDVc0lCLmAa3wmA&hl=en&ei=33LKSqqPM4HRlAeO7aySAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3#v=onepage&q=&f=false">Divorce Your Car.

I WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNTTTTTTTT ONE!

[Terry in Austin]

6. Divorce Your Car

Great book! Should be required reading starting in about 10th grade.