"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.

Shadow, I think that like most people who've never suffered from vertigo, you're confusing it with acrophobia. Having had vertigo (fortunately not recurring) it's a mistake I'll never make again.

Vertigo is prolonged dizziness caused by an inner ear malfunction.

__________________________________________________________________________

NathanJ, quit your whinging! As something that affects perception, I think its use in an arts context is entirely appropriate.

'Tis hardly new anyway. It has long been used as a record label, and of course there was the Hitchcock film.

Aidan,

"NathanJ, quit your whinging! As something that affects perception, I think its use in an arts context is entirely appropriate."

I could then argue a whole range of other things are appropriate and that we could or should use and commercialise these.

I could include Breast Cancer, sexual abuse, Heart Disease, murder or terrorism - but does that make it right or ethical to make money from any of these elements - particularly at the expense of those affected?

The author I referred to, I'm not getting any percentage payments from her book titled 'Vertigo'. Finally, are people who are currently speaking out in regards to sexual abuse simply whinging? I'll let you be the judge.

Wake up, NathanJ! Murder is far more commercialized than vertigo is! There are thousands of books and films about murder, many of which have Murder in the title.

Victims of sexual abuse and other crimes have a valid complaint when it's difficult to get justice, particularly when there are coverups and failure to take the issue seriously.

But you don't have a valid complaint. And nor do you have an intellectual property right to the name of any medical condition that affects you.

Aidan,

Any reference to an old record that was played or a comic book that may have had a Vertigo title or connection, I don't care about. That's old news, but in terms of....

"Victims of sexual abuse and other crimes have a valid complaint when it's difficult to get justice, particularly when there are coverups and failure to take the issue seriously."

There are no 'valid complaints', or we can become selective. I cannot get justice or any resolution for five medical conditions I have. Last week I was suffering from from extreme drowsiness for example due to emergency medication I had to take (Vertigo related). I was asleep all day.

Simply referring to coverups and failing to take an issue seriously doesn't stack up, in terms of an argument, in the context, there needs to be more respect for all, and not exploitation of the disadvantaged or people using disadvantage to their own advantage.

Some have sold books or undertaken television interviews (for payment), after say a terrorist attack, and made money from that, thinking this will lead to a life of solutions, with other thoughtful, reflective options put last.

Commercialism could or should be out of the picture - but it is entrenched in too many people's lives and of course.... that of big business.

I have had a run-in with Meniere's, a disorder of the inner ear that is characterised by extreme vertigo and extreme tinnitus. This is not just ordinary vertigo and tinnitus. You know an attack is coming on when a jet plane starts flying through your head. The best description I've read of the vertigo: image the worst you've ever been drunk, simultaneous with the worst you've ever been sea-sick, while someone is hitting you round the head with a two-by-four.

However I do not think this gives me, or anyone else, ownership or copyright of the word 'vertigo'. Preventing use of the word is not going to help with the problem, but maybe just push it under the table. In fact I'd like to see more books, stories, tales, personal experiences - even humorous ones, so people know what it's like.

Menieres is not curable. It's just a matter of management, primarily by maintaining a low salt diet, but you are always aware that it can come back and bite you at any time

NathanJ,
Try not to dwell, worry or get upset by things you cannot change.
You'll just make things worse for yourself emotionally.
I know you've been a dealt a crappy hand, I know life can be unfair and sometimes its no-ones fault.