Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/17/84 chuqui version 1.7 9/23/84; site nsc.UUCP Path: utzoo!decvax!decwrl!amd!nsc!ihnp4!rabbit!jj From: jj@rabbit.UUCP Newsgroups: mod.singles Subject: "Manhattanization" and appearance Message-ID: <1701@nsc.UUCP> Date: Tue, 23-Oct-84 22:13:06 EDT Article-I.D.: nsc.1701 Posted: Tue Oct 23 22:13:06 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 24-Oct-84 12:24:38 EDT Sender: chuqui@nsc.UUCP Lines: 58 Approved: chuqui@nsc.UUCP - - - mod.singles- - - - - - Volume 1, Issue 14 - - - In reading the discussion on "The Manhattanization of America" I've been angered by several of the scoffers who make comments regarding "well, if you weren't insecure" and the like. As I understand, a person's self image is created from the information around them. Given that the entire USA is immersed in advertising of the Madison Avenue variety, one of the inputs that people find readily available (and not personally judgemental) is advertising. Given our total immersion, (and I rarely watch TV , so I if anything understate the immersion) it's not surprising that many people begin to accept the advertised "ideals" as their own. UNFORTUNATELY, advertising does not have any interest in what sort of {clothing/perfume/makeup/car/booze/cigarette/nylons/underware/ 3-peice suit/tie/work cloths} are appropriate for any given individual. Advertising, rather, considers ONLY what the marketeer wants the individual to BUY, regardless of the usefulness or appropriateness of the item to that individual. At least in my perception, the marketeer is often trying to convice people that an inappropriate product is indeed desirable to them. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide what to buy, and what not to buy, HOWEVER, if that individual has been immersed in "Madison Avenue" since birth, chances are that the individual will be, in great part, guided by the same. What to do? I don't know. When I'm faced with individuals who allow ad writers to govern their lives, I find myself often insulted for not being "with it".Perhaps this is a symptom of advancing age, but I have noticed that my perceptions of the effectiveness of advertisment indicate that individuals are ?once again? beginning to look in the mirror, so to speak (I refer to more than clothing, please), and decide for THEMSELVES what is correct and/or desired. (This in opposition to the 1960's "be yourself, be like me" attitude. I was there. I left. So did we all.) While I don't have a solution, I encourage people to look at media assumptions with a jaundiced eye and to consider the relationship between the media ideal (I almost said prejudice, perhaps I should have) and their own selves. Have a good day, Not Chuq. "...How do you get this thing out of second gear? Beep Beep!" (allegra,ihnp4,ulysses)!rabbit!jj -- Mod.singles postings should be mailed to 'nsc!singles' administrivia should be mailed to 'nsc!singles-request' nsc talks to {cbosgd,decwrl,fortune,hplabs,ihnp4,seismo}