"Joanna Walsh is one of the most exciting writers in contemporary fiction today. In the last year, she has published two books, one titled "Vertigo" which is a collection of short stories."

http://www.adelaidefestival.com.au/2016/adelaide_writers_week/Vertigo

As a person who now suffers from Vertigo, which is horrid, with six episodes of Vertigo last year, 18 serious episodes of Vertigo in January alone this year, with more episodes in February and March, I very concerned about the increased use of Vertigo as a throw away term to sell books, credit cards and wine labels - I've seen these.

Do these people who use this cheap marketing understand what it's like for people who suffer from Vertigo and other illnesses, when selling their latest book or product?

NJ,

Vertigo is not a disease but a symptom of a wide range of causes including walking close to a the edge of a building.

While I am sorry for your condition, this sensitivity is over the top.

Nathan many words take on a “genre” of their own, away from the literal meaning. Vertigo in that broader context suggests something perilous, threatening, and inescapable. But I understand your emotions and the anxiety brought about by its mention. If I had cancer, I would wince at any mention of the term away from the clinical application. As said I do understand where you are coming from.

Some years ago I was at a party and the unmistakeable screech of tires and crunch of metal that comes from a car crash broke through the night. One woman was visibly upset by this and she later explained that she had recently lost a son in a car crash. She said my world stopped at that time, and she could not comprehend why the world kept turning for others. Pain suffering and grief are a singular event, you can’t share it, and you can only bear it.

Perhaps the question should be, "Is it ethical to use other people's weaknesses to sell commercial products?

Pushing commercial products on others who have not asked for them, trying to tempt them to buy things not because they need them, but because YOU need to make money - is unethical.

I suspect that calling a product "Vertigo", unless the product is actually meant to induce vertigo in people who so desire, falls under this category of unethical tempting.

Hello Shadow Minister,

I am assuming you have never suffered from Vertigo. I have, and in fact have five medical conditions.

The bone density specialist I see, is very concerned at present (at the high levels of Vertigo, I have had) as I could easily break bones or injure myself by falling over, as my vision is affected.

I am not old and only got my bone density condition (from taking Epilepsy medication I was on) and was later found to be allergic to. So it is not oversensitive. Your concern is token - and your lack of information and knowledge re Vertigo stating:

"Vertigo is not a disease but a symptom of a wide range of causes including walking close to a the edge of a building." shows that point.

Finally, wine labels, books and credit cards are not "perilous, threatening, and inescapable".

They are commercial products people can avoid. This is where I believe Yuyutsu has a point, in terms of trying to tempt (people) into buying things not because they need them, but because (another person) needs or wants to make money and this where the unethical link comes into context.

Nathan you need to get over yourself a bit.

Many of us have a few problems, which are only made worse by dwelling on them. You will find life much better if you concentrate on the good.

I have had polymyalgia rheumatica for 12 years. The only treatment successful has been the steroid Prednisone. Dreadful stuff, with nasty long term side effects. However rather than dwell on that, I thank my lucky stars that it has enabled me to enjoy the last 12 years. If the osteoporosis it causes finally gets me, I've had an extra 12 years to thank it for.

Yes the side effects are annoying, & dangerous, but being bedridden would be much worse. I can't walk a hundred meters, but I can ride my mower, & tow the wheelie bin. I can't stand up for long, to fly my remote control planes, but I've learned to do it sitting down.

I'm not going to give up on life because of 3 heart attacks, that would be counter productive, & I'm not going to dwell on the bad medical advice that caused the last 2.

My advice is dwell on what you have to be thankful for, get on with it, & ignore the adds you don't like. Just be glad modern medicine has given us, & others with problems, much longer than we would have had a century ago.