As I watched this episode of "Frontline" with my wife, we both had VERY different emotional reactions. I was appalled how ubiquitous advertising is and see it as a vile product of our age. Heck, one day I expect to see Mt. Rushmore or the Eiffel Tower emblazoned with ads--the problem is getting that serious. My wife, on the other hand, thought I should just lighten up--it's all harmless. My assumption is that you, the reader, are in either my camp or my wife's.
The show in a behind the scenes look at advertising. I am actually very surprised that the agencies would let "Frontline" see them in action, as I just felt like in many cases they were saying absolutely nothing! In a few cases, they had products which they were advertising in ways that had NOTHING to do with the products! This irritated me to no end. I did, however, find the sessions with the French psychiatrist more interesting and scientific--as well as informative. Still, his job was to get us to buy things we don't need.
The bottom line is that while I didn't like what I was seeing, I appreciate "Frontline" for doing it. It's a very rare insight into a weird and seemingly shallow world--and is never dull. Worth seeing.
The show in a behind the scenes look at advertising. I am actually very surprised that the agencies would let "Frontline" see them in action, as I just felt like in many cases they were saying absolutely nothing! In a few cases, they had products which they were advertising in ways that had NOTHING to do with the products! This irritated me to no end. I did, however, find the sessions with the French psychiatrist more interesting and scientific--as well as informative. Still, his job was to get us to buy things we don't need.
The bottom line is that while I didn't like what I was seeing, I appreciate "Frontline" for doing it. It's a very rare insight into a weird and seemingly shallow world--and is never dull. Worth seeing.