"When the network sales people were feeling generous, they would impatiently explain that they don't run any advocacy ads (not true) or that our spots are inimical to their business model (unbridled consumption)," writes Lasn in the next issue of his ad-free magazine Adbusters. "More often than not, they would decline to give us any reason whatsoever (the big business equivalent of "because I said so"). And the rejections kept rolling in."
Toronto Star
[Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on April 19, 2006]
Note: Toronto Star
Stumble It!
All joking aside, there's a difference between people using ad space to suggest that, if you happen to be in the market for a car, to consider a particular brand and some heavy-handed advocacy ad hectoring people to not consume.
Conventional television is based on a successful, long-standing business model in which selling advertising subsidizes the cost of programming. The consumer pays only for the transmission medium, not content. Does it make sense for a TV network to air ads that discourage viewers from watching television? Asking them to air anti-consumption ads amounts to the same thing.
Antonia has a hate-on for anything that smacks of private enterprise. She's just another socialist dinosaur who has found a perfect vehicle for her Luddite views - the Red Star.
Is there really a need for cell phones that do everything except wipe your arse after a sh*t?
Is there really a genuine need for HDTV, or is it just a manufactured one to sell more sets?
Do we REALLY need the latest and greatest gadget designed in Japan and manufactured in mainland China?
One day the ride is going to stop very suddenly, and all the toys in the world won't be able to save us them.
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"and the knowledge they fear is a weapon to be used against them"
"The Weapon" - Rush
"Conventional television is based on a successful, long-standing business model in which selling advertising subsidizes the cost of programming. The consumer pays only for the transmission medium, not content."
Tell me; to whom is the cost of advertising passed?.
As far as I'm concerned 95% of TV ads are an insult to the intelligence of any normal person. Luckily there's a button on the remote that allows me to switch channels easily and since TV Ontario has no ads. that is the channel to go to when the "junk" appears. The play-offs are coming up and you can bet every spare second will be exploited to the full, e.g. between the time icing is called and the resulting face-off takes place, somebody will be selling us a slice of pizza. Breaks up the flow of the game perfectly.
Frank
That's what makes free markets so great - individual choice. The state doesn't decide everything for you.
Frank
Don't confuse the individualist. That's a hard question for him to answer when he couldn't have read the article. These are ads that would be "paid" for and shown in the "free marketplace" individualist or are you just for "let me consume whatever I want and I want censorship too?
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"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music." Friedrich Nietzsche
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Hehehe. Yea, same crappy shows, but much better looking!<br />
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How about new TV's that prevent you from flipping channels during ads? <br />
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<a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12407199/">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12407199/</a><br />
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The logical step after that is TV's that pause the ads if you leave the room.<p>---<br>"I think it's important to always carry enough technology to restart civilization, should it be necessary." Mark Tilden<br />
Seriously, I'd be prepared to pay my share towards a channel or two that showed nothing but ads. for those who choose to watch them. In return, I would expect to watch what I want (including sports) without having to put up with them. Is the "free market" up to such an outrageous suggestion?.
Frank
It is surprising how much money we saved. Oh sure, my seven small children went into fits of withdrawl but my wife and I stood firm. We eat far healthier, sit and talk as a family far more than we ever did and the children ask for next to nothing. Now the kids don't miss T.V. at all, are involved in the community more and are even reading actual books. Some might say that consumerism is a good thing but first take a look at what its mutating the human being into.
I do watch an hour or two a night. Usually including the news. But most of the good stuff, I download or buy on DVD, so it's already commercial free. (for now . . )
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"I think it's important to always carry enough technology to restart civilization, should it be necessary." Mark Tilden
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"I think it's important to always carry enough technology to restart civilization, should it be necessary." Mark Tilden
Frank