I think it's really funny that when we really think about it, we realize how much of American culture is represented through corporations and conglomerate companies. For my Biology class my teacher is from England and he criticizes people in my age group for being puppets to these companies. He relates unhealthy diets to McDonalds (3rd row, 3rd down), unhealthy living due to smoking (Camel, top row 5th down), and our societies relation with promiscuity and sex (Playboy top row, 2nd down). As Americans it is surprising at how we use these corporation's products on a subconscious daily level. My first reaction to this picture was surprised and sort of angry that I began to understand America is represented by our pop culture and our consumer way of life. If anyone has seen Fight Club, this is what sent the main character (Edward Norton) over the edge. Mass consumerism in American life. The constant need to always want want want and never be satisfied with what you have. I was intrigued by this picture and hopefully someone else will be able to see the more core meaning of this picture. It stimulated my perspective and understanding about the mass media. Hopefully someone else will be able to walk away with the message that I got from this picture and have a better understanding of the correlation between consumerism and American identity.
I think this ad is very effective at getting the point across to say the least. The way the ad represents consumer America is a large logic appeal. The ad is persuasive in the fact that it really shows how commercialized the United States has become. In order for an ad to appeal to the viewers logically it has to simply state what the ad is and what its main point is. This United States flag is a symbol of the people and what this country was founded for. The fact that the ad has replaced something so important to us such as our flag, and made it into almost something to be ashamed of is obviously extremely effective. Logically this ad gets the point across very well. It is persuasive because of the use of reasoning. When people see this ad, they think of how our country revolves around MTV and McDonald's. Our country is a complete consumer nation. This ad is a representative picture of what all persuasive ads should look like. It states a problem, it shows why the problem is the way it is, and then it provides persuasive reasons that back up the claim.
The main claim in this ad is that America has turned into a consumerist society that is predominantly ruled by conglomerate companies. Instead of our old American ideals like the "American Dream", society now focuses more on themselves and their needs as consumers. We are less focused on togetherness and bettering our American society and more focused on individualness and consumer needs. This ad also touches on the medias involvedness in the everyday life of society. The media and advertising in a way controls the thoughts of all Americans and has major influence over thoughts and feelings. In my opinion this ad is saying that America has lost its sense of patriotism and community and is now controled by the mass media, advertising, and major corportations who influence and infiltrate America's thoughts and ideals.
The Adbusters American Corporate Flag was designed by Shi-Zhe Yung. Shi-Zhe Yung is a part of the nonprofit, anti-consumerist organization called Adbusters Media Foundation. It is often referred to as just Adbusters. It was founded in 1989 by Kalle Lasn and Bill Schmalz. Kalle is author of the books Culture Jam and Design Anarchy. Kalle describes Adbusters as “a global network of artists, activists, writers, pranksters, students, educators and entrepreneurs who want to advance the new social activist movement of the information age.” Adbusters runs a 120,000 circulation magazine that is supported by activists. They are well-known for their culture jamming campaigns. The Magazine often includes received photographs of political-focused ads or billboards vandalized by the readers. Adbusters “mission” is to take the view of consumerist, that material possessions are what make you happy, and have them view it in the way of anti-consumerist. Going to the flag. The flag shows all the big corporations in place of the stars representing the states, implying that these are things America revolves around. The flag has become a popular logo for the Adbusters. Shi-Zhe Yung and the Adbusters message dealing with the flag is that the corporations logos on the flag represent what America finds happiness in. Being who the Adbusters are, they are basically making a joke about what they feel America is now days, consumerists. With such ads, Adbusters hopes to change views of consumerists to where people can find happiness in things other than material possessions.
I think it's really funny that when we really think about it, we realize how much of American culture is represented through corporations and conglomerate companies. For my Biology class my teacher is from England and he criticizes people in my age group for being puppets to these companies. He relates unhealthy diets to McDonalds (3rd row, 3rd down), unhealthy living due to smoking (Camel, top row 5th down), and our societies relation with promiscuity and sex (Playboy top row, 2nd down). As Americans it is surprising at how we use these corporation's products on a subconscious daily level. My first reaction to this picture was surprised and sort of angry that I began to understand America is represented by our pop culture and our consumer way of life. If anyone has seen Fight Club, this is what sent the main character (Edward Norton) over the edge. Mass consumerism in American life. The constant need to always want want want and never be satisfied with what you have. I was intrigued by this picture and hopefully someone else will be able to see the more core meaning of this picture. It stimulated my perspective and understanding about the mass media. Hopefully someone else will be able to walk away with the message that I got from this picture and have a better understanding of the correlation between consumerism and American identity.
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ReplyDeleteI think this ad is very effective at getting the point across to say the least. The way the ad represents consumer America is a large logic appeal. The ad is persuasive in the fact that it really shows how commercialized the United States has become. In order for an ad to appeal to the viewers logically it has to simply state what the ad is and what its main point is. This United States flag is a symbol of the people and what this country was founded for. The fact that the ad has replaced something so important to us such as our flag, and made it into almost something to be ashamed of is obviously extremely effective. Logically this ad gets the point across very well. It is persuasive because of the use of reasoning. When people see this ad, they think of how our country revolves around MTV and McDonald's. Our country is a complete consumer nation. This ad is a representative picture of what all persuasive ads should look like. It states a problem, it shows why the problem is the way it is, and then it provides persuasive reasons that back up the claim.
ReplyDeleteThe main claim in this ad is that America has turned into a consumerist society that is predominantly ruled by conglomerate companies. Instead of our old American ideals like the "American Dream", society now focuses more on themselves and their needs as consumers. We are less focused on togetherness and bettering our American society and more focused on individualness and consumer needs. This ad also touches on the medias involvedness in the everyday life of society. The media and advertising in a way controls the thoughts of all Americans and has major influence over thoughts and feelings. In my opinion this ad is saying that America has lost its sense of patriotism and community and is now controled by the mass media, advertising, and major corportations who influence and infiltrate America's thoughts and ideals.
ReplyDeleteThe Adbusters American Corporate Flag was designed by Shi-Zhe Yung. Shi-Zhe Yung is a part of the nonprofit, anti-consumerist organization called Adbusters Media Foundation. It is often referred to as just Adbusters. It was founded in 1989 by Kalle Lasn and Bill Schmalz. Kalle is author of the books Culture Jam and Design Anarchy. Kalle describes Adbusters as “a global network of artists, activists, writers, pranksters, students, educators and entrepreneurs who want to advance the new social activist movement of the information age.” Adbusters runs a 120,000 circulation magazine that is supported by activists. They are well-known for their culture jamming campaigns. The Magazine often includes received photographs of political-focused ads or billboards vandalized by the readers. Adbusters “mission” is to take the view of consumerist, that material possessions are what make you happy, and have them view it in the way of anti-consumerist. Going to the flag. The flag shows all the big corporations in place of the stars representing the states, implying that these are things America revolves around. The flag has become a popular logo for the Adbusters. Shi-Zhe Yung and the Adbusters message dealing with the flag is that the corporations logos on the flag represent what America finds happiness in. Being who the Adbusters are, they are basically making a joke about what they feel America is now days, consumerists. With such ads, Adbusters hopes to change views of consumerists to where people can find happiness in things other than material possessions.
ReplyDeleteWell said.
ReplyDelete