Post-Class 11/16

In class on Wednesday, we further discussed Chomsky's model of propaganda. We know that he thinks that propaganda is a thing "which must be disseminated" related to both consumerism and global capital, however we went further and related it to mass media which really helped me understand his theories more clearly. It really helped me when we outlined the essential ingredients of the propaganda model: (1) size, wealth (2) advertising = primary income source (3) reliance of media (4) flak, or as we defined it in class, BS or chatter (5)anti-communism/control mechanism. The part our class discussion that interested me most was about "opine and recline," and the notion of passivity. The notion of control is very interesting in our society because we don't like to think we are controlled, even though most of us are without even noticing. One example we see today is advertising. The advertising industry, a prominent and powerful industry, engages in deceptive subliminal advertising which most us are unaware of. By bypassing our unconscious mind using subliminal techniques, advertisers tap into the vulnerabilities surrounding our unconscious mind, manipulating and controlling us in many ways.Legislation against the advertisers has had no effect in curbing the use of subliminals. In this Information Age, it seems people are no longer in control of the people. The ones in control are the ones with knowledge (as usual). In this case, the advertisers have it; you don't. There have been many instances where subliminal messages have been used, both in advertising and other media. Popular brands like Coca-cola and McDonald’s have been known to have used this to boost their sales. They usually throw these tactics into light television programs, a time where consumers are more likely to be in the buying mood. For example, during the Super Bowl many people have been drinking and are with their friends and are having a good time, thus they are more inclined to go out and buy what they see. What's funny is today now that companies spend so much money and time on their commercials during this one night each year, some people literally watch the channel for the funny and clever advertisements and not even for the football game. Products wouldn't sell as well if it was a serious, heavy program such as a 20/20 special on Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath; they know how to manipulate us and make us more inclined to buy their products; its scary!