Eric Schlosser, Your Trusted Friends:
Although never explicitly stated, Schlosser’s in-depth discussion on the clear exploitation of children in the advertizing industry vividly expresses his stance. While it is truly unnerving that these groups no longer seek to attract adults, it makes perfect sense when looking at the results. “Cradle-to-grave” advertizing appeals to fond childhood memories, hoping to create life-long customers. After all, once a habit has been formed – especially one that frees up large amounts of time in fast-paced American lifestyles – it can prove extremely difficult to eliminate. We sympathize with the idealist view that the government should “foster a sense of responsibility in and ownership of our own health and wellbeing,” as stated by Balko. The reality is that this is an unrealistic goal. Highly trained ad agencies are getting paid exorbitant amounts of money with vast resources available to coax children unwittingly into a lifetime of fast-food addiction. This is a REAL problem that affects many people, not just women, as ridiculously suggested by Orbach while discussing the misconception of “…womens’ failure to control their weight,…” Perhaps a more insulting scheme is the attack on adults via the desires of children. While an elderly couple would be extremely unlikely to make a trip to McDonalds for a couple burgers on their own, Kroc, McDonalds founder, explains, “A child who loves our TV commercials and brings her grandparents to a McDonalds gives us two more customers.” This is an attack on the pride of the American public.
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I thought this reading was very persuading. The only part that stood out to me was at the end when you stated "While an elderly couple would be extremely unlikely to take a trip to Mcdonalds". If you've ever been there (or Culvers especially) during the early afternoon hours you would know that's not the case, sadly. Other then that it was very good. I especially liked how your transitioned into the first quote of the essay written by Balko. It was very smooth and persuading that each of your really thought this was the best view point of them all. Great work!
ReplyDeleteI thought that this was also very persuasive. It is very true that fast food industries, or other industries like to try and target young children for commercials, billboards and more. Children are very good at pursuading their parents,grandparents etc. to take them places so targeting children would be their make attraction to get lots of business. But i too dissagree that elderly people do go to fast food restaurants a lot even without their grandchilren, and women do know how to control their weight if they really try too.
ReplyDeleteOkay let me say this yes, the commercials are nice and they have a witty song that makes you remember them.Yes, the food is good and when you get in the establishment it's hard to resist but are we really trying to say it's there fault?I mean come on, these are grown ups. We are talking about grandparents and well body humanbeings that make the decision to eat those types of meals. Although the commercials may sound good and sell them on the product, Ultimately it is still there decision to get up and feed that to themselves and their children and grandchildren. i agree with JD that women o have the power to control their weight unles they have somr sort of thyroid disorder or something.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you gave us a full view of what this author was trying to say in the text. And I agree that companies marketing excutives target young children, but from reading your posts I don't get that you believe that your standpoint is the correct standpoint. Also you leave the post saying" this is an attack on the American public" I don't fully understand what you mean by this and would like more insight into what exactly this is trying to say.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and your author balko's stance. The thought of marketing to children is scary. Children's minds as stated in the article are very vulnerable and almost anything can influence them into something that will stick with them forever. I am not a mother but I have had the thought of when I do have children I don't know how I will be able to shield them from all the outside influences that might make them unhealthy adults, without sheltering them. I believe that the ad agencies really must lay off children, although an extremely profitable market children are, it is slightly morally corrupt. Although parents must take some responsibility and if they don't want their children watching television programs that have commercials that are selling them these products or programs in themselves that are marketing ideas to children they should turn them off. But in some ways that's unrealistic and could also have a negative effect on the child, I'm not saying children must watch TV to be normal, but I know when I was growing up if I didn't know the new hip show all the other kids were talking about I did feel a bit odd. But maybe the only solution will have to be turning it off, it seems it could be the healthiest method.
ReplyDeleteYou make extremely valid points in your support of the author. McDonald's does aim there ads to the youth of the nation, but do you blame them? The youth of today are all about spending money and getting things fast, might as well start with fast food! Also, obesity is a rising risk in the United States and again you are right in saying that this does not just affect men but it also affects women.
ReplyDeleteI thought that your make very valid points in your argument. I also like how you incorporated some of the quotes from your article. Also I found it interesting how you took the whole writing and shrunk it to just a few sentences, but you didn’t miss one thing that he was trying to say. Overall I believe that they really isn’t anything to improve on in the writing because you argued every point very effectively.
ReplyDeleteThe essay was very interesting and I like the smoothness of the transitions in the essay. However, I read this article and I still don't see what the author is saying relates to the rest of the authors (that's just my opinion). The format of the essay looks like it was well put together. Even thought I don't agree with the author, the essay kept my attention and there were some very interesting facts in this essay. Essay looks good!
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