Everybody's Doing It

[t.c.rider]

Today I woke up and at some point turned the T.V. on. I am not sure which channel it was on, but when I turned it on Saturday Morning Cartoons were on. I for some reason left that channel on and watched for a bit. I am not going to complain about the cartoon quality, we all have heard complaints about how "they used to be better". I did find something wrong with a commercial that was shown. Ever since I can remember I have been told "don't do that just because everyone else is" and we are all familiar with the saying "if your friend jumped off of a bridge would you?". I was taught to do what I felt was right and to be my own person. Then throughout elementary and middle school I saw many anti-drug commercials. Most of which had the message not to do something because everyone else is. Don't follow the trend to fit in. Well, as I was watching this cartoon a Scholastic commercial came on. I wasn't really paying attention to it until the end of it. It ended by saying "You should read, everyone is doing it". That may not be exact but something along those lines. I know drugs and reading are two completely different things. I do think kids should read. I just think they should get them to do it in a different way than, "everyone else is, so you should too" especially if that is there reason for you to be yourself and NOT do drugs. It seems as though they are contradicting themselves. They are telling kids that it is OK to do what everyone else is doing if adults approve of it but if your parents would disaprove then they should be their own person and not follow everyone else. I just think they should take a different approach. Does anyone else agree with me?

[logitech104]

yes but try not to get to worked up about it. just laugh and walk away. the world is corrupt and commercials are so manipulative in what they say, that they do start contradicting themselves. I'm dissapointed in people these days, especially in america. DON'T even get me started on american culture...

[Koss]

yes but try not to get to worked up about it. just laugh and walk away. the world is corrupt and commercials are so manipulative in what they say, that they do start contradicting themselves. I'm dissapointed in people these days, especially in america. DON'T even get me started on american culture...

+1!!!oneone!!one

... I think I just gave myself a headache.

[sharpmagna]

Reading is a drug to some people. I've sat down and read a 600 page book in one day.

[Loonette]

They, making the anti-drug commercials and they, making the pro-reading commercials are not one in the same. Advertising agencies are hired to come up with the best campaign to lure people into their product/idea. So what? If you have kids, or if you will in the future, just do your best to raise them with your set of values - keeping them as far away from the T.V. as possible would be a great start.

Cheers,
Loonette

[t.c.rider]

They, making the anti-drug commercials and they, making the pro-reading commercials are not one in the same. Advertising agencies are hired to come up with the best campaign to lure people into their product/idea. So what? If you have kids, or if you will in the future, just do your best to raise them with your set of values - keeping them as far away from the T.V. as possible would be a great start.

Cheers,
Loonette

Of course I would want my kids to do the right thing...if the child was exceptionally bright though, they would easilly find the error in the way it was advertised and question other things.

[Candy750]

Maybe this just to replace "Reading is Fundamental" (the RIF program of day long gone). "FUN". FUND - THE - MENTAL.

Perhaps too many did not know the meaning of the word "fundamental".

[t.c.rider]

Maybe this just to replace "Reading is Fundamental" (the RIF program of day long gone). "FUN". FUND - THE - MENTAL.

Perhaps too many did not know the meaning of the word "fundamental".

I remember RIF. We had that tiger guy come to our school and we got to pick out a free book.