This thought came across my mind when I was in the car listening to a radio infomercial the other day. The commercial was advertising some kind of laser body contouring service. I was not interested in what was being advertised, and the "customer testimonials" seemed outrageous. I just could not believe that some people fall for these kinds of things, because they seem expensive and too good to be true.
But the story doesn't end there. A few minutes later, I found myself listening to another commercial advertising a product called "Ovation Cell Therapy". And I have to admit, I actually use this product! It is on the more expensive end, and the advertisements make it seem like bottled up magic, but something must have influenced me to try it.
I would not say that I am the type of person who goes out of the way to order these "As Seen on TV" or "online only" products that are not sold in stores. I am generally pretty skeptical about these things, and have always thought that they are just expensive products that don't work. But since I realized that I actually use one of these products, it really made me think about the influence of advertisements. One commercial changed my thinking about a product, enough for me to purchase it and continue to use it. I must admit that this was a subconscious process, because I didn't realize that I wanted to buy it because I heard it on a commercial. Advertising works, and sometimes it can be scary! Nobody is immune to these influences, even when we think we feel a certain way about something.
i agree. advertising is a powerful thing. thats why people who are good at it make so much money. sometimes the product is worth the money and does work but those are rare.
ReplyDeleteIn my persuasive writing class we are actually doing a project analyzing an ad and the argument it makes. It has been interesting learning the techniques that advertisements use to catch your attention and influence you. Sometimes things advertised are worth more, because quality cost money, but I agree that you have to be careful and use good judgement when viewing or listing to ads. With such a media filled world ads are in so many places you can't escape!
ReplyDeleteThis is kind of funny to me because I have had a new roommate since Spring semester, who is also a good friend, and he is always the gullible type sucked in by commercials. It makes me laugh how convinced and then how loyal he is to the things he sees advertised - I mean heaven forbid I ever say anything bad to him about McDonalds or Progressive Car Insurance because he likes the supposed good food or funny ads on TV. It feels at times that he would die for such things (things mind you, not people or principles).
ReplyDeleteSuddenly his dialogue and mannerisms, or even way of life are convicted through the opinions of famous people who he somehow feels linked to through their similar justifications. It's maddening, I simply want him to have his own opinion, and he frequently testifies to me that I have an opinion on everything, and oh dear that is such a sin! To be a walking zombie eating the brain ads of television is more a sin I think, nevertheless, I've noticed more with him being my roommate, that I've fallen victim to these same things. And just like you said, it's happened with my guard down, when I least expected or realized because of my pride; I hold blind loyalty for products the same as him and everyone else.
No wonder zombie movies are such a hit these days - we all can relate so easily to the characters... at least that's what I'm convicted to post now in my lacking immunity