It did not take me very long into this book to realize that we as a civilization need to seriously rethink our life choices and how we function as a society. On page xii the quote "America is a multi-trillion dollar brand. America^TM" and is a "image sold to consumers world wide." This to me was extremely scary because it makes me think of quick sand. The harder you fight being subjected to the American brand the quicker you sink into the abyss.
The part about The Ray Ban glasses that Tom Cruise was wearing also spooked me a little bit because although I myself don't seem quite as affected as the author there are definitely aspects of my life and my characteristics that have been warped by common media images especially in the ski world. Everything that I wear skiing has been influenced by what I have seen on TV and on the professionals. It's a scary realization that affects almost everyone around us.
The part about the Environmental image in the Mind of the perfect town, USA was really disturbing because I feel that Vermont is completely subject to this theory. Many farming based towns in Vermont have all but dried up and been forgotten thanks to corporate producers and massive grocery markets. It's a scary reality that I have witnessed growing up in Vermont.
It's always hard to look in the mirror and realize how much we really have been influenced and effected by media. However, once you're aware of the power of the media to persuade, the sooner you can start making conscious choices not to follow and mindlessly consume ("to buy is to be" in America^TM!)
ReplyDeleteInteresting personal connection with growing up in VT and seeing first hand the effects of the commercialization of our culture...