The Somewhat Disturbing Effect of Advertising

My son, who is 5, has taken to watching Discovery or National Geographic channel with his Mother some nights when we are both too lazy to read him a story. (Damn, TV for the creation of many lazy ass habits) So it’s fun to hear him re-cap what he has seen. He has this amazing memory where he can recite almost word for word what he has heard on TV. The funny thing is, it’s not the shows content he is reciting, it is the commercials. So what do I get?

“One whale, one ship, the exciting story of Moby Dick. On Discovery from 1-3PM today!”

“Is your back sore? Do you have pain in the morning? Do you wish your bed was more comfortable? Well…you need the CraftMatic Adjustable bed. Buy one now and get this handy wood chipper valued at $99. But, it’s free with your purchase of a Craftmatic Adjustable bed!”

I’m serious, he recites this stuff word for word. What will it be next? “Help. I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” Daddy, your gonna need this when you get old!

Or later in life, “Dad! I can get these 12 CDs for only 3 cents! Come on, can I sign up?” Yea sure kid, and wait until they tell you have to buy “only” 4 CDs at $75 a piece to to get those 12 CDs.

Picture of Steve Hall

Steve Hall

RECENT ARTICLES

TRENDING AROUND THE WEB

A vocabulary that keeps quietly expanding well past someone’s twenties isn’t just a love of words — it’s the one measure of intelligence psychologists have trusted for a century because it tracks so closely with how a person actually thinks

A vocabulary that keeps quietly expanding well past someone’s twenties isn’t just a love of words — it’s the one measure of intelligence psychologists have trusted for a century because it tracks so closely with how a person actually thinks

Global English Editing

An Adobe survey found 69% of workers say emoji use makes a coworker seem more likable — and the reason has more to do with replacing missing body language than making a message friendlier

An Adobe survey found 69% of workers say emoji use makes a coworker seem more likable — and the reason has more to do with replacing missing body language than making a message friendlier

Global English Editing

A boundary delivered without an explanation usually isn’t coldness — it’s someone who’s learned that the explanation is exactly what invites the negotiation they were trying to avoid

A boundary delivered without an explanation usually isn’t coldness — it’s someone who’s learned that the explanation is exactly what invites the negotiation they were trying to avoid

Global English Editing

Someone who lets a frazzled stranger go ahead of them in line isn’t necessarily being generous — they’re picking up on small shifts in tone and posture that most people only catch when told to look for them

Someone who lets a frazzled stranger go ahead of them in line isn’t necessarily being generous — they’re picking up on small shifts in tone and posture that most people only catch when told to look for them

Global English Editing

The difference between the words you recognize and the words you actually use — and what that gap says about how you learned them

The difference between the words you recognize and the words you actually use — and what that gap says about how you learned them

Global English Editing

Keeping the counter clear while cooking is partly a private habit and partly a quiet form of consideration — a way of leaving the kitchen usable for whoever moves through it next, without needing to say so out loud

Keeping the counter clear while cooking is partly a private habit and partly a quiet form of consideration — a way of leaving the kitchen usable for whoever moves through it next, without needing to say so out loud

Global English Editing