Emotional blackmail advertising

[spinbaby]

I don't usually watch much TV but have been puttering around the house over the holidays and have noticed a huge number of adverts that attempt to guilt you into sending money to some charity:

We'll keep these cute dogs chained in the snow until you send money!

This adorable third-world waif will starve to death unless you send 60¢ a day!

These brave veterans were horribly crippled defending your freedom, so send us money to provide them with some unspecified service!

All accompanied, of course, by sad songs about horrible things happening to innocent creatures.

[Phentex]

1. They must work...

but I often change the channel when the music starts. Maybe I'm too sensitive?

[Xyzse]

2. I tend to equate those things as:

If they have enough money to be advertising like that, then obviously they are not using most of their money to go to the ones they are supposedly helping.

I generally check up on charities to see how well they do before I donate.

I don't donate to the big ones as much, unless they have a decent reputation.

[Archae]

3. Those ads from the ASPCA with abused and abandoned pets are the worst.

Those poor puppies and kitties!

I want to just snuggle all of them.

[CanSocDem]

4. Those and the acne ads...

...are the reason I hold the TV remote in my hand and my finger on the "last channel" button. I refuse to be manipulated.



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