Advertising and Conspicuous Consumption

[spectratg]

It can become overwhelming when the entire online world runs on affiliate marketing and targeted ads. One observer notes that the commercial, consumerist onslaught now goes hand-in-hand with net-zero carbon guilt-tripping.

“The weirdness of living on a finite planet with limited resources, and yet being constantly bombarded by messages to consume more resources is absolutely weird,” argues a witness to the hypocrisy. This one can be filed under. “I will tell you to watch your carbon footprint while I tour the world in my private jet.”

Your thoughts?

 

[dilettante]

Advertising is a big part of this, but at this point it may be a cultural issue and harder to moderate. I think the media in general are complicit. But then people used to watch a movie or a TV show and realize that the sets and props and even activities didn't represent "normality" for most people.

Think of even those 1950s drive-in monster movies built around a group of "teenagers" roaming the world after dark. New cars, fancy clothes and hairstyles, burning gasoline all night, eating out every night. Ok, some of that was cheap diners and drive-up hot dog joints. A meal for two didn't cost half a day's pay back then like the chains around today do.