>>> Recall the Cherry Ripe ad promoting one on one deception. The deceiver excludes the victim from sharing the spoils. <<<

Good God.

Truth in advertising?

From my earliest Xmas's it never failed to amaze me that the most advertised toy that season that did wonderful things on the tv, lay dormant and short of expectation in its application on our lounge room floor on Boxing day. I believe the days of bridge buying gullibility has passed us and most consumers are savvy. If you look at the demographics for consumer rip offs you will see that the young and old are over represented in those numbers, suggesting that we wake up at some stage but regress with age when it comes to consumer value judgments.

Thinker2 I believe "caveat emptor" is the word for the day. Re the kid the car and the kerb, mine lie about that too, but they can't fool us, we know they did it, somehow, someway, at sometime, and I let them know I know.

While Pericles claims deception has always been part of advertising I also have noticed a shift to the 'selfish' in Ads but much of it is done tongue in cheek and in humour ie. 'this is so good I don't want to share it". Does it reinforce selfishness in society? I am not sure advertising is taken that seriously but am no expert on the sub-conscious but the media can certainly influence to some extent.

Even in the days of old there was those travelling salesman who used to sell those magic Elixirs that would fix up all maladies and those pretty weak cleaning products that were not as good as claimed - so it is not new even if the technology is more flamboyant.

If an Ad annoys you don't buy it - that is consumer power.

There are worse influences. As a mother of young children I would not let my kids watch The Simpsons until they were older because they tended to parrot the rudeness and other undesirable attitudes without understanding some of the 'deeper messages'. It was not only the Simpsons but many other programs that seem to either reflect/encourage the growing lack of general courtesy and respect in the community including unneccesary swearing in children/teen programs.

Some parents even let their kids watch that unsuitable SBS program 'South Park' (unbelievable) and wondered why behaviour and attitudes changed. Kids are like sponges and they soak in everything as every parent will attest.

I don't believe I said that at all, pelican.

>>While Pericles claims deception has always been part of advertising...<<

Advertising has its own purpose, its own language - in fact, its own grammar. While there may be occasions where someone oversteps the mark, deception per se is not "part of advertising". In fact, where it exists, it is seen to be damaging to the brand, therefore worse than worthless.

Although it does seem to me that complaining about it in such dramatic and emotional terms is a highly positive sign.

Because if you consider "deception in advertising" a serious issue, the rest of your life must indeed be a sea of tranquillity.

(I should make an exception for Arjay from that suggestion. Everywhere he looks he sees disaster, so his visceral reaction to advertising is par for the course.)

If this thread were simply about "isn't that a silly advertisement", it could be quite fun though.

How about that one where the old guy whips up a meal in the time it takes for his lady to climb the stairs? Or the one where the guy hasn't a clue about "feminine hygiene products" and plays chase-the-mousy with the cat?

Duh.

I have always understood the caveat emptor principal sonogloin. Obviously your right.
But I cant help thinking the principal of relationships (even business one's) were built on trust.

As an older person I still remember a time when business was based on trust more than a lot of other things. Maybe the older people just wish it were still that way. So they "see if they can trust again this time" in a sort of wishful thinking loop. Thereby more vulnerable.

And Pelican your comment regarding selfishness is central to point I'm trying to make.
How healthy or necessary is this messaging when all we are doing is selling some consumer crap?,
mostly unnecessary and overall doing more harm than good.
Can't we do this without telling the young to put themselves first at all cost to acquire it?.

Thinker2 I hear what you are saying, I believe I lived through the best times this country and society had to offer. I have a profession and have always worked for corporate and there WAS some social and corporate conscience until the mid eighties. Greed was the name of the game and growth at any cost usually by acquisition rather than initiative and diligence became the accepted norm. Sadly thinker there is no way back for you or I as the new young set the standards not the previous generation.