Our Own Form of Mental Corruption

Western Civilization suffers from many modern 'ailments' these days. The most subtle and highly influential is commercial media. It is found everywhere we look. It is under every newspaper cover, every internet website, and in the most unexpected locations. We are effected beyond our full understanding by these modern marketing tactics. The relentless daily mental stimuli that we are subjected to are subtly and outwardly effecting all of us. We do not fully know what the effects of this will be or whether we can cope and overcome this marketed mental attack. In the book, Culture Jam: How to Reverse America's Suicidal Consumer Binge- and Why We Must(2000), we find ample evidence that the corporate mongrels are slowly chipping away at our collective sanity. The excerpt entitled Hype, contains excellent evidence of this growing cultural problem. Marketing messages are an issue that we all need to be aware of and protect against. This is a problem that we can all try to change.

Kalle Lasn's initial paragraphs are very moving. His use of vocabulary and dialog are highly effective in conveying his perspective on the situation. He generates a gusto that is quite remarkable. He uses such words as: psycho-effluent and mental pollution to convey to the reader his adamant point of view. The first sentence is very persuasive. He states, "Advertisements are the most prevalent and toxic of the mental pollutants." This is a highly effective statement and grabs you instantly.
Lasn also refers to corporate advertising as "mental pollution". This reference is highly appropriate in regards to corporate business and product advertising. We do not fully understand the effects of this on our culture and only time will show us how far reaching these side effects will be.

This essay is stocked full of specific references to the ways corporations are influencing our lives. This essay is really quite interesting. Lasn brings to his writing, the idea that people are constantly subjected to this advertised, commercial mental stimulus and that it is having effects on us that we still do not fully understand.
When Lasn states "Corporate advertising (or is it commercial media?) is the largest single psychological project undertaken by the human race", he is making a point that most of us rarely consider. What are the effects of mass commercial advertising on the human mind and what are the prolonged effects? Are the effects of constant mental stimuli being felt today?

We are already seeing increases in learning disabilities within the U.S. These statistics will only increase as our culture becomes more modernized and technologically advanced. Detailed studies have not been conducted that would properly evaluate this potential health risk. Regulations and strict standards will need to be enforced if we are to safeguard America's youth.

Corporations are always seeking new forms of advertising and newer means to convey their messages. This is apparent to anyone with a cell phone, computer, or television. From cell phone text message spam to logos on the bottom of your television screen, you will find marketing messages everywhere. You will find it in your mail box, your bill statements, and everywhere else you chose to let your eyes fall. Advertising is now inescapable and it is a constant in all of our lives.

Lasn sites exact examples of corporate 'invasion' within our public school systems. Shrinking school budgets and the mighty corporate dollar are extremely appealing to schools trying to raise money for educational projects, supplies, and various other things. The Dallas school system is one example he sites in this excerpt. This school is renting space on top of their school buildings. Leasing public space to huge corporations is grossly inappropriate. It violates our basic moral security when our schools align with companies seeking to gain a dollar. This speaks to the great influence that corporations have in this country. The capitalist economy that we live in is guiding our whole way of life. This is highly unethical and we should not sit silently by while big business slowly begins to influence our children's schools. There should be a clear and distinct line between big business and public education.

Lasn also mentions that the Coca Cola company made a business deal with the Australian postal service to allow them to cancel Aussie stamps with their corporate Coke logo. This is a direct invasion of our market-free rights.

There is no end to the new and inventive methods of advertising being done by companies. Corporations and governments creating partnerships is the wave of the future and the future looks mentally cluttered. This sign of the future will surely influence all of us in ways we have yet to understand.

Money is God for most large companies and advertising is the way to get your product 'out there'. To expand your customer base and generate sales, this how these companies remain successful. Profits are to be made and they will be made. Under this all encompassing and powerful dollar, happiness for all corporate shareholders can be found. Hail to mass marketing! Praise the power of persuasion.

According to this excerpt, there does not seem to be a line between personal privacy and the commercial media. He sites instances where television screens are found in collage bathrooms. These screens are a form of privacy invasion and yet, it seems that college students don't really care about the issue. Most view this as a kind of distraction (as if we are not distracted enough already.) that is readily welcomed. This slight diversion is not viewed as inappropriate or personally invading. How do we find a moment of quiet in this sea of noise?

What are the effects of this kind of mass advertising? Lasn mentions in this excerpt that the average person is exposed to three thousand marketing messages per day. This number has actually increased to around thirty thousand messages per day. (Austin Business Journal 2007) According to the Austin Business Journal's article in 2007 (Benson), the rates of marketing messages has jumped from seventeen thousand in 1985 to thirty thousand in 2005. This is a dramatic increase in marketing messages. This is alarming because what will this number be in another twenty years? It will surely increase just as much and most likely, at a much faster rate.

These marketing messages are affecting us in subtle and unseen ways. We are effected daily and we do not even realize it. Subconsciously, we are implanted with quick little reminders of products that we need to buy. We are unconsciously affected by these messages when we do not consciously notice them. Catch phrases, slogans, and memorable songs are slowly and steadily implanted upon our subconscious minds. Jingles that linger in our minds are subtle clues that we are being influenced even when we think we are not.

We must change our lives in order to survive this corporate attack, we must strive for silence in the midst of this chaotic mind attack and we must for the sake of our sanity. We must resist the logo. Guard your children from the power of marketing and protect the delicate stability of their growing minds.

Lasn is correct in his position on marketing and advertising. Corporations are encroaching upon America's collective mind. We are all effected by their affective marketing strategies. Marketing firms, big corporations, and commercial media are out of control. He makes this point clear and concise in this excerpt.

When he refers to these big companies, we must realize that there are many big companies and they are all doing the same type of thing. Remember, hundreds of competitive 'marketeers' are working around the clock to bring you bigger and better advertisements. This is how we get thirty thousand marketing messages a day.
We should be conscious of this issue and remain aware of the potential effects of such media. We need to understand the effects of mass media and commercial marketing.

Where do we draw the line? How do we make a change? We must stand in defense of our minds and we must guard ourselves in this marketing attack. We should limit our exposure to such media and know when we see it.

Where do our personal rights begin to get violated? When is it too much? Being aware is key to making a difference and if you are a conscious shopper you will make that difference. When the people realize they have a voice, their voice will be heard. We have a voice that can be heard, thus we must speak out against this mental pollution.

Works Cited

George, D. ((2004, 5th Ed.). Reading Culture. 199 - 201

Benson, B. (2007). Austin Business Journal. October 22, 2007
http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2007/10/22