Commercials tell you things about the culture the programming doesn't. After all, the shows are designed to attract viewers (so they'll watch the commercials!).. They represent what the industry thinks you want to see. But the advertising is about what the advertisers want you to do. They are trying to influence your behavior, whether it be to buy a certain product, or tell you how to think, or how you should feel about things.

Look at how many commercials now aren't about getting you to buy something, but how you should feel about energy policy, the stock market or a particular company's reputation or image. They aren't just getting you to buy something, they want you to feel a certain way. Maybe even vote a certain way. Except you won't even realize you're watching a political message.

Look at the pharmaceutical commercial I mentioned. Why should a company push a product that you can't buy without a prescription? Is it to influence the doctor? I should hope he bases his treatments on sources of information other than TV commercials. Is the commercial designed to get you to nag the doctor into prescribing that particular medicine? That's even scarier.

An look how they hook you. They pander to the "stock trader" in you, to go with a certain brokerage firm or using certain trading software. They convince you you're a real pro, you need analysis, their services, because you are an "aware, serious investor". How many people buy and sell stock in real time? Isn't that the stupidest way to invest? But they always use that guy with the "business voice", and the models all look like executive types, the way you no doubt see yourself. They try to convince you you are a tycoon. You look like them, prudent, clever, controlled, cool. Every American sees himself as a great lover, a great driver, and a great businessman.

So car commercials sell men the promise of getting laid if they buy a flashy car, or proclaim their social status by a luxurious vehicle. Don't believe that? Check out the voice over--redneck for pickups, aristocratic for luxury wheels, young and hip for sporting vehicles. And if you can't afford to buy, you can always lease. You can even get a "quality, previously owned vehicle".

Commercials are how the economy communicates with the consumer. You can learn a lot by listening to what its saying, and reading between the lines. And you can learn how "it"
REALLY thinks about you.

And it doesn't matter how stupid the commercial sounds. The people who make them are very smart, they spend lots of money and effort getting them just right, aiming it at the right audience, and they monitor the results very carefully, constantly adjusting their pitch to try and optimize its effectiveness.

"Help! I've fallen and I can't get up."

Yeah, they know how to use your own fear against you, too.

Oh, and one more thing. They're only now just learning how to use the internet as a marketing tool. You ain't seen nothing yet.
And what do they say about it? Not to their fellow advertisers, or to the professionals that make, buy, sell and evaluate propaganda.

What do they say to you? They will roll their eyes innocently and tell you sweetly, "Hey, no one puts a gun to your head and makes you buy anything."

Besides, if you're too dim to see the scam, then you deserve to get taken.