So recently I have been thinking about Fear. And how Fear has become such an omnipresent advertising and political tactic that it has taken over our culture. Just this morning, watching cartoons with the kids while feeding Emily, in a single advertising break 2 out of the 3 ads I saw were focused on Fear. First was an ad about suntan lotion, which was all about the 'hidden damage' that was caused by the sun. The Second was for Lysol Hand sanitizer and the commercial almost gave me the willies much less some young impressionable kid. (Sometimes with all of these ads for cleaning materials it's a wonder we aren't a nation of OCD patients)
Well this has begun to grate on my nerves, as a parent I of course want to watch out for my kids, but I think there is a line that can be crossed and our culture has crossed it. Kids just can't go out and have fun any more. It's all about making sure they have the right protective gear, and cleaning up while playing, and not playing with anything that might be considered unsafe. And of course you have the 'Helicopter Parents' who hover around their kids, in play grounds and play areas etc. who don't even let their kids play outside without adult supervision within 5 feet.
Well my concern is what we are doing not only to our kids but also to our own psyche. We have become so protective and cautious. And when people become adults it is not the parents that are expected to hover around, it is the government. Our culture has reached the point that we are losing the old American individualism. Instead of the rugged individual, toughing it out, figuring things out for yourself. We have a culture of people who have to be told to be careful that coffee you bought is hot, watch out when climbing on that rock, you might fall etc.
(This is from my mom)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with your assessment of fear as a powerful motivator. Because of the depression I experienced recently, I have done a lot of introspective thinking. I realized that one change I needed to make in my life was to start my morning differently. I remember a time when I deliberately got up at least half an hour before the rest of the family in order to have some quiet time for myself. I would usually read something that was peaceful or calming or inspirational. Sometimes I would write in my journal. Only after about half an hour of pleasant thoughts would I begin to think about the day, or read the newspaper, or turn on the TV for the morning news, or whatever. I have returned to that habit. Let me say right now that it is much easier because I am retired and living without the presence of other people in the household. But I have noticed that it is a much better way to begin the day. In fact, when I do finally get around to finding out the morning news, it doesn't seem to have nearly the impact that it used to.
Whenever you turn on the TV you have a choice. You can record your favorite shows so as to avoid the commercials. You can choose comedies instead of adventure shows. Connie was telling me yesterday about how, when they finally got cable to Grandma Great's house after Milton died, they could only turn on channels like the Home and Garden channel or the Food channel because she got upset when something like Law and Order would come on. Obviously she was losing her marbles at the time, but it still tells you something.
Adventure stories are fun at times, and cf course part of their attraction is fear. But my opinion is that they don't make a good steady diet.
I once read a book whose name was "Love is Letting Go of Fear" and remember that after some contemplation I basically agreed with the message in the title. For example, when you decided to have a child, you had to let go of the numerous fears one has about bringing another child into the world, and let love rule. When I adopted these dogs, I had to let go of a lot of fears about my aging issues and let the possibility of helping a couple of people and a couple of dogs and enjoying standard poodles again come forward. I doubt that you regret your decisions, although your life is more complicated, and so far I don't regret mine either.
Anyway, the advertising media certainly realize how well fear will motivate people. It is really insightful of you to have noticed this; I doubt many people do.