It’ll be over soon for all those complainers. Besides, there is always another article accompanying the review in the email.

However, when they finally start passing them out, you can have mine : )

The idea that kids should be able to have some sense of control over parents (which are usually their first authority figures) is absurd as well. I know this world isn’t perfect but, if it were, there would be mutual respect and everyone would have adequate control over their own lives. That’s not to say that kids can control going to school but life suks, it’s training for the real world. Who wants to get up and go to school OR work on an daily basis?

And to send them messages that they can have control over parents (authority) doesn’t fly. Maybe this contributes to the prevailence of ODD and conduct disorder, something unheard of when I was a kid (and I’m only 30). I could just see a kid carrying that “you’re not the boss of me” attitude…Yeah officer, so what. You can’t tell me not to skip school, don’t tell me not to shoplift, I am the master of my life…

The fact is that childhood is one of the most important stages in socializing youth to play their roles (gender, etc.) and to follow societies spoken/unspoken laws. I don’t think we’re doing a good job at the moment but we can thank individual parent(s) and the new babysitter: TV. Of course there’s more to it but in a healthy family system everyone is given choices, all family members care about each other and spend time together etc.

Now I have to say that the filth on tv (hey it’s free!!!) appals me. I stoped watching that junk years ago. But even 10 yrs ago my grandfather would get disturbed by the content on the TV. And they’ve become increasingly lax on the language, words that were once taboo on network TV are now common place. Even shows geared toward pre/teens show them wearing skimpy clothes, dating, being materialistic. In fact some of the ‘kosher’ disney type programing has become grooming for values, morals, behaviors,etc. that we used to deplore. And childhood is the worst time for this kind of influence.

So yeah, I have to say that this book and Trent’s commentary is pretty acurate. Maybe some ppl think this is a boring topic but I find it very interesting, I think this has been my favorite series so far. Keep it up Trent!

“advertising is justifiable because it creates other benefits, such as free television”

hahahah

where’s my free tv???

hahahahah

okay…having worked in advertising for many many many years, I can tell you there is no purpose to it other than to make you buy stuff, especially stuff you know in your heart you don’t need. that’s precisely the point of it…to overcome your mental obstacles. advertising is truly the parasite of the american dream. I loved doing it…it’s an insane business. but it’s really sludge.

Advertisers spent their all day dreaming up ways to undermine my efforts to raise my son, many of which I’ll miss just like my mom did. I’d be thrilled if the US put more restrictions on marketing to children.

No company should be permitted to lie, thats fraud. Why should this be a special criteria for advertisers?

- Dave

(different than the David above, and glad that someone else noted!)

Shame shame shame. You can’t trust them as far as you can throw them.

Lisa

Thanks,

James

You should give them away on TSD.

Alcohol producers for example advertise their products just like any other company but should they be held responsible if someone abuses their product? I personally don’t believe so – there is a point where people need to be personally accountable for their actions. This definitely applies to parents and how they raise their children. If they decide that the TV is a good baby sitter and leave their child in front of the TV for hours on end there should be no surprise that the child will pick up on the advertising (good or bad).

…but really, I agree with you and the book. One argument marketers make is that their work increases the number of products sold, which leads to economies of scale, which means a lower price for the consumer. Translation: you save money if others pay. Meanwhile they are probably saving money because something is being sold to you. It does not really work to anyone’s advantage unless, of course, one’s goal is to own as much as possible.