My Initial Thoughts on Advertising

Advertising is abundant in the society we have today. People don’t realize they see advertisements and branding on a daily basis. We grew up with brand names and advertisements; this way of life is hardwired into our brains. Although there is a creative aspect to ads, I believe that advertisements in general are not a good thing.

One negative aspect to advertising is that it affects humans emotionally whether we realize it or not. For example, we see the pretty girl on TV with a tan complexion urging you to buy banana boats sunless tanner. This might trigger an emotional response in the viewer, the pretty girl might make your self esteem lower due to your pasty white skin, your un-airbrushed skin, or your itty bitty A-cups. These types of images are not healthy for young girls who are not confident in themselves or their bodies yet. These advertisements give a false sense of what beauty really is and that's exactly how they sell their products. These companies make people want to look perfect. People spend millions on beauty products. I believe these constant advertisements and images set our perception of what beauty should look like.

We all have had these moments of doubt. Am I skinny enough? Should I get that new iPhone so people know how on top of the technology trends I am? Advertisements aim to trigger these emotional responses so you will give in and buy their products. These companies are getting better and better at this manipulation, so good that we don’t even realize our decisions are being affected. Emotional responses are not the only way these big companies subdue you, but also through branding and referencing. 

Like for example, if you see your favorite TV show character drinking a coke all the time. Coke Cola then might become your favorite drink. Or maybe you watch the X-games all the time, and Mountain Dew is always the sponsor. You might think to yourself... "Wow Mountain Dew seems so extreme. That's all I'm going to drink because I'm extreme too." These sponsors and lifestyle molds are not accidental.  Companies want you to buy their products because you associate them with a certain life that you aim to obtain. (This is where branding takes place).

You may believe you overlook advertising but nobody does. It's everywhere and affects your decisions without you even realizing it. Which is why I personally, believe the negatives of advertising outweigh the positives.