The Degenerative Influence of Advertising on Society Essay

Advertising is designed to foster a desire to purchase goods and services, yet it is much deeper than that—advertising is a system of effective manipulation that twists the mentalities of those subjected to it. It shapes people’s views of the world and warps their connections to each other. Therefore, advertising not only shapes their personal values but also distorts them until their principles no longer come from within them. Thus, in my opinion, advertising, unless deeply rooted in high ethical standards, destroys any concept of community, common morality or deep bonding. Advertisements thrust products and services at consumers that they deem necessary in order to be loved, beautiful, happy, and fulfilled. Without these†¦show more content†¦Our â€Å"fetish of commodities† (Kavanaugh 33) hides our empty center, distancing us from others and ourselves. While we worship our commodities, the people in our lives become replaceable and disposable. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to form community bonds. According to Joseph Heath and Andrew Potter, authors of Nation of Rebels: Why Counterculture became Consumer Culture, advertising is seen as an â€Å"awareness institution† (Heath and Potter xix), a powerful organization in this country, even more powerful than some political establishments. Its repetition and ubiquity help impress its message upon the public. Hence advertising takes on a type of communication, replacing deep communication once found within communities. Authors Heath and Potter agree with earlier cited Kavanaugh, stating, â€Å"advertising is an omnipresent system of symbols, a persuasive and bold propaganda for consumer culture† (Heath and Potter 5). It deeply affects the way we connect and communicate with each other and lodges a large barrier into our communities. It makes forming communal bonds extremely difficult as many people are too caught up in the messages that advertising sells them instead of the people around them. American’s con stant consumption leaves them â€Å"perpetually unsatisfied, restless, anxious and bored† (Heath and Potter 6), feelings that profoundly affect their personal lives. In turn, they become distanced from theShow MoreRelatedHinduism Was One Of The Religions That I Found To Be Most1456 Words   |  6 PagesSanskrit word Sindhu which is what the Persians called them because of where they were from. Hindu are those who follow the way of dharma, the four classes of varnas and stages of life ashramas.† Hinduism is a major world religion because of its influences throughout time that have shaped other religions that branched off from it. Hinduism is an ancient religion that was founded near 1,500 B.C. 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