The idea that people will act in their own best interests makes a basic assumption that people know what is in their best interest. Unfortunately, advertising can and does distort, blur and simply misrepresent that which advertising is selling.
As the presidential election season heats up, the party of business is swinging into high gear. Understanding your target market, and who you are trying to reach, is basic advertising and the Republican Party has that knowledge down cold.
Take a look around you and see how many people have not made the best of choices. Take a look at the number of mortgages that are in foreclosure and think about all the poor choices made by home buyers as a result of mortgage brokers pushing people into the wrong mortgage, house or both. Take a look at the problem of obesity in America today and think about all the poor choices people make with regard to their diet and exercise.
A lot of people are moved by advertising that is directly opposite to their own best interest. Obesity and mortgages are just two that come to mind.
Now comes the Republican political machine and their knowledge of their target market. Have you ever heard of a political trans fat? Well, if you missed the 1988 presidential election or the one in 2004, you are about to see the political equivalent of America over run by political trans fats. It is coming to a TV near you, so be watching.
Political trans fats are about as good for you as trans fats are for your body and health, the only difference, you don’t put on any weight, but your wallet becomes a lot lighter.
The presidential election year always starts out with calls by the Republican Party candidate to make it a campaign of issues and not personalities. That is their standard opening move. But the game changes rapidly, the advertising edge of the Republican Party swings into high gear and issues disappear to be replaced by smear tactics, lies and the out right misrepresentation of facts. These are the political trans fats that their target marketers aim for.
The Democrats, who do not really understanding business or winning, continue to present issues to an electorate wanting to swallow a diet of the political equivalent of French fries with chili and melted cheese followed by more of the same.
With the price of gas coming down below $4 a gallon, it will be interesting to see how long it takes for the political trans fats to start to kick in. By the end of October, the turkeys should be ready for Thanksgiving, and the American electorate ready for another 4 more years of stupidity. And who says people act in their own best interest? We will see.
Stay tuned.
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6 comments:
"Political trans fats are about as good for you as trans fats are for your body and health, the only difference, you don’t put on any weight, but your wallet becomes a lot lighter."
You should be writing for Leno.
Lou, have you noticed the price of gas coming down? I had a thought after I posted the piece today. Do you think that the oil companies are bringing down the price of gas more in the important swing states, like Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Penna., than the other states? Gas prices at the BP station near me it is down to $3.69 for unleaded, and I'm sure it is even cheaper at some other stations. Could the big oil companies be trying to influence the way people will vote in November? Or, have I been too paranoid for too long?
About 2 yrs ago I read about a medical study conducted in California that was financed by the Republican party. Medical MRI was utilized in subjects that were shown political advertisements during the brain scan. It was shown that different parts of the brain are activated depending on the material being viewed by the subject. The advertising material could be changed in content until certian parts of the brain were activated. It was proven that subliminal messages can be used to influence a person's decision.
I love the advancement of science but in the wrong hands it can be very dangerous (the internet is very similiar).
Great comment Winslow!!!
Yes, like anything that has the potential to have power, the Internet, radio and TV can all be abused. Where would Rush be without radio? Talk about misuse.
Hi Fred,
I believe studying the arts provides tools to help people critically examine the messages delivered by PR, marketing, news presentation and so on. These insiduous elements of our society are all simultaneously suggestive to a number of our senses and thus emotions. I often 'pull apart' an advertisement my children have seen and then want want want the 'thing' being advertised. Once I've shown them how they have been manipulated by the photographic imagery and placement, choice of music and so on... they feel quite miffed.
I know this kind of critical thinking education is not high on anyone's agenda!
Also, just letting you know I put a link to your blog on my blog.
Cheers,
Kathryn
Great comment Kathryn! Yes, a case can be made that our society wants their children educated, but NOT critical thinkers. We need a few million more parents like you helping their children tear apart advertising, etc.
Thanks for putting on a link to my blog. (I think that is the way you say it?)
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