"The real question is not: How many ads do we see? The real question is: What do we have to do to see no ads? And the answer is: go to sleep" (James B. Twitchell)
We see ads everyday and everywhere. They have become part of our life. While some people try to avoid seeing ads, advertisers keep finding new ways to reach us. However they are unable to reach us when we sleep. Our dreams are the last safe and ad-free place so it seems. But what happens when advertisers have the possibility to enter our dreams? Based on recent developments in brain science and technology this might be possible in the near future.
7 comments:
Oh, please, spare me!!! I am probably the biggest hater of ads in the world. The only television I watch is something I have recorded so that I can fast forward through the horrors. I have a built-in technology for not seeing any ads in the newspaper and certainly any junk mail goes straight into the receptacle designed for it - the waste bin. If I had my way ALL advertising would be banned and it would be up to the manufacturers/retailers to sell the products as best they can. If I found that I needed something I would go shopping in the High Street or on the Internet. I might see ads then but only because I wanted to and because I needed to. How much needless spending happens because of advertising. Oh dear! I do go on don't I?
Mr. Henry Kaye says it all. And what about all those unintended consequences?
Henry and Demetrius - crikey I thought I was the biggest hater of ads in the world. We even have them on clothing. It is virtually impossible to buy walking gear without becoming a mobile ad for the brands you favour.
One way to obliterate ads on your computer, is to make a cardboard frame which covers the sides of the wide screens, and so the main presence of the website is uncluttered!
This can be made from any Bakers dog biscuit box or similar, and is amazingly simple and relaxing on the eyes!
I reckon wide screens were invented by the American Advertising Authority.
Perhaps curtains would be better on those wide tellies. Mrs R records BGT and zaps through the totally mindless stuff and watches only the drivel, gets through in about 20 minutes. Old fashioned videotape works better for this than new boxes - wonder why...
Possibly anti-advertising classes at school would be good along with personal finance. The message 'these bas%^&ds are out to screw you' would probably not be approved by the education ministries. As one gets older one becomes more immune to advertising - except for those afternoon shows that promote pre-paid funerals.
As for getting into one's dreams - an adman's dream.
I used to run Google tower ads in the sidebar because they looked purty, gave the site a bit of colour. Don't think anyone clicked on them though.
Scrobs - an ad blocker is simpler but less artistic. I use Chrome and uBlock Origin.
Roger - I had to look up BGT. Mrs H watches a few bits and pieces, all recorded, nothing live these days. Education is an interesting one. Grandson recently took part in a school debate which sounded reasonably good, but political correctness must be an issue.
James - I've never bothered, not enough traffic here :)
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