Evan Farina
Growing up male in America Whether you notice it or not, if you are growing up a male in America your entire persona and way of life have been shaped (in one way or another) by the various means of false text dished out by advertising companies. The term “false text” refers to any type of media which dishes out exaggerated and false information to the viewers of the text. Text, in the twenty first century can be anything from a magazine article (in its most literal meaning of the term) to a TV commercial played during the Super Bowl.
One of the most prominent forms of false advertising can be seen through the commercials from one of the most successful body and shower wash companies in America. The company I am referring to is Axe. Known for their racy ads and banned TV commercials, Axe has taken advertising to a whole new level in the twenty first century. Using repetitive images of half naked teenage girls in the same picture with a normal looking teenage boy, it is no surprise the popularity which has grown between Axe and the teenage boy.
While looking through dozens of old Axe commercials, it seems as though each successive ad had become more and more suggestive; as if to say “they are catching up to us, we need to extend reality just a bit more.” Axe lost all meaning of the word “discrete” when their slogan became “Axe: how dirty boys get clean.” When combining this slogan with an advertisement of a boy making out with five other girls, one has to wonder how the advertisement being watched has anything to do with body wash.
One ad which caught my attention, titled “shower pooling” is an Axe commercial which is revolved around the idea of a group of people showering together. What first began as a boy and a girl under one shower head quickly turned into a group of five girls and one boy under one shower head. Soon thereafter the slogan for the commercial, “take action, take your clothes off…shower pool” could be heard from a young woman.
See the video for yourself here:
Here is a commercial (now banned in most countries) which caught my attention. Clearly it has absolutely nothing to do with body wash, rather the astonishing effects that come from using the body wash.
In order to properly determine the effects which text produced by companies such as Axe have on young boys growing up in America, one has to dissect each successive video, article and picture portrayed and determine the effect that each piece of information will have one a person. The most obvious of themes portrayed by Axe is the repetitive image of the sexy woman. In each add produced by Axe, one can be sure to find a half dressed, sexy looking model – always in a suggestive position. Often times, the women seem to be desperate for the first male they lay eyes on (especially one covered in Axe products). In almost every single Axe commercial there is a woman either throwing herself at a guy or sometimes even another girl as if to say “purchasing axe products will get you a good looking girl.”
The American Dream Today
The American Dream, a term first coined by James Truslow Adams in his 1931 book The Epic of America was the belief that everyone was born with equal opportunity, and should have an equal chance to become prosperous, and wealthy throughout their lives. The American Dream, however, was not intended to be a free ride to prosperity rather an initial opportunity for one to work to become all that he can be. According to spengler's article What is American Culture (found here:http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/EK18Aa01.html), America is just one big "melting pot... a large suburban morass..."
And to be honest, Spengler has every right to make that claim. If one were to look outside during any given moment in America there is a very good chance that his eyes will be clogged with shopping malls, superstores, and fast food restaurants. The American dream is dead, and in its place is a "misguided sense of egalitarianism" (Spengler). This belief of egalitarianism in America was first written about in the Declaration of Independence "…held certain truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Unfortunately, Americans today believe that this egalitarianism can be translated into "you may do as you please." Perhaps this is the reason that Americas culture has stripped down and lost underneath the thousands of shopping malls across our once pristine nation.
One of my favorite comedians, George Carlin once said this, referring to the clean and beautiful continent we once had. "It was Paradise. Have you seen it lately? Have you taken a good look at it lately from an objective vantage point? It's F*ing EMBARRASSING. Only a nation of unenlightened halfwits could have taken this beautiful place and turned it into what it is today -- A Shopping Mall. A big f*ing shopping mall."
In addition to transcontinental shopping malls, America has too become flooded by the mass popularity of fast food restaurants. Fast food restaurants were once limited to burger and French fry joints, but have now been transformed into a social phenomenon, and directly contribute to the melting pot which makes up American society. In most countries around the world, cuisine makes up a very large, and special part of a nation's culture. Each country offers their own variety of cultural dishes, each holding their own respective meanings. In the United States, on the other hand, food dishes have been transformed into their fast food counterparts. For example, authentic Mexican cuisine is now Taco Bell, fresh seafood is often enjoyed through the Long John Silver's chain, and lastly one can be certain to find a hamburger and French fries on the menu at any restaurant around the country.
In contrast to America's immensely diverse citizen pool during the immigration boom of the late 1800's and the early to mid 1900's, America is now just one large "melting pot." All aspects of each unique culture have been thrown together, and "Americanized." American culture itself no longer exists, and with it went the American dream. The unique belief by Americans that hard work and equal rights would one day be rewarded with prosperity is long gone.
Differences in Society
The single greatest difference which separates every human being across the globe is religion. Religion dictates how a person lives each and every day of his life. From one's overall attitude on life, to his views on the afterlife are shaped (in one way or another) by religion. Many quarrels are formed from the basis of religion in the respect that different beliefs between large groups of people spark violence. This is especially evident throughout the Middle East where the Israel and Palestine continue to fight over "religious land."
Around the world, hundreds of religions exist while only a select few have been commonly selected as the "main religions." The main religions include Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Atheism. The very slight differences between such religions are the basis to most holy wars, and perhaps world wars. Just like any usual fight amongst a small group of people, religious fights are initiated due to one person's desire to prove himself correct, while putting down the other person's beliefs. For the reason that people feel very strongly about religion, these quarrels often turn into decade long battles, with death toles in the hundreds of thousands of people.
George Carlin, a comedian who passed away just a few years ago had a skit which portrayed how views on religion can be comprehended in different manors. Carlin's skit, religion is bullshit pokes fun at the idea of a God, and religion itself. In his skit, Carlin refers to God (the almighty and all powerful figure in most religions) as an "invisible man" who's most important rules (the ten commandments) is really just a made up list of things that shouldn't be done. Furthermore, Carlin jokes about the fact that God is "all powerful, all
knowing,all perfect, and all wise" yet just can't seem to handle money. He notes that religion takes in billions of dollars each year, while they do not have any taxes to pay at all.
George Carlin, an average person who has a good sense of humor was able to bisect a subject which is usually only looked at in terms of "black and white" ideologies.
The Original Terrorist
America, home of the brave and land of the free. Known for its fair and balanced government, unmatched freedoms, and undeniable world strength, America has earned its place as one of the worlds greatest powers. With power comes responsibility, and in recent years America has made it its responsibility to sift through the world's countries for terrorists and every living being which poses a threat to the American democracy.
Containing one of the most powerful, wealthy militaries throughout the world, America has had no problems with stepping directly into the business of other countries, as long as it results in a pro-democratic manner. Encounters such the Vietnam war, are precise examples to the destruction America produces while egotistically focusing on its own benefits. The Vietnam war was originally fought between North Vietnam (communists) and South Vietnam (anti-communists). The North was clearly more powerful which is what led America to assume its baby sitter role and come to the aid of the South. After all was said and done, approximately 58,000 Americans, as well as 266,000 South Vietnamese had been killed fighting for democracy.
The fighting in Vietnam still plagues its citizens up to the present day as harmful chemicals dropped during the seventies, are negatively affecting the current generation of Vietnamese children. "Agent Orange", the code name for the harmful herbicide which America dropped on South Vietnam nearly 50 years ago is still destroying families a half a century later. The chemicals used in Agent Orange produce dioxins which come with many negative effects including cancer, as well as begin terribly harmful to the environment. Furthermore, the herbicide's effects genetically transfer from one generation to the next causing massive deformations at birth. America dropped over 20 million gallons of this chemical over South Vietnam alone (http://www.fractalenlightenment.com).
Evan Farina
Growing up male in America
Whether you notice it or not, if you are growing up a male in America your entire persona and way of life have been shaped (in one way or another) by the various means of false text dished out by advertising companies. The term “false text” refers to any type of media which dishes out exaggerated and false information to the viewers of the text. Text, in the twenty first century can be anything from a magazine article (in its most literal meaning of the term) to a TV commercial played during the Super Bowl.
One of the most prominent forms of false advertising can be seen through the commercials from one of the most successful body and shower wash companies in America. The company I am referring to is Axe. Known for their racy ads and banned TV commercials, Axe has taken advertising to a whole new level in the twenty first century. Using repetitive images of half naked teenage girls in the same picture with a normal looking teenage boy, it is no surprise the popularity which has grown between Axe and the teenage boy.
While looking through dozens of old Axe commercials, it seems as though each successive ad had become more and more suggestive; as if to say “they are catching up to us, we need to extend reality just a bit more.” Axe lost all meaning of the word “discrete” when their slogan became “Axe: how dirty boys get clean.” When combining this slogan with an advertisement of a boy making out with five other girls, one has to wonder how the advertisement being watched has anything to do with body wash.
One ad which caught my attention, titled “shower pooling” is an Axe commercial which is revolved around the idea of a group of people showering together. What first began as a boy and a girl under one shower head quickly turned into a group of five girls and one boy under one shower head. Soon thereafter the slogan for the commercial, “take action, take your clothes off…shower pool” could be heard from a young woman.
See the video for yourself here:
Here is a commercial (now banned in most countries) which caught my attention. Clearly it has absolutely nothing to do with body wash, rather the astonishing effects that come from using the body wash.
In order to properly determine the effects which text produced by companies such as Axe have on young boys growing up in America, one has to dissect each successive video, article and picture portrayed and determine the effect that each piece of information will have one a person. The most obvious of themes portrayed by Axe is the repetitive image of the sexy woman. In each add produced by Axe, one can be sure to find a half dressed, sexy looking model – always in a suggestive position. Often times, the women seem to be desperate for the first male they lay eyes on (especially one covered in Axe products). In almost every single Axe commercial there is a woman either throwing herself at a guy or sometimes even another girl as if to say “purchasing axe products will get you a good looking girl.”
The American Dream Today
The American Dream, a term first coined by James Truslow Adams in his 1931 book The Epic of America was the belief that everyone was born with equal opportunity, and should have an equal chance to become prosperous, and wealthy throughout their lives. The American Dream, however, was not intended to be a free ride to prosperity rather an initial opportunity for one to work to become all that he can be. According to spengler's article What is American Culture (found here:http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/EK18Aa01.html), America is just one big "melting pot... a large suburban morass..."
And to be honest, Spengler has every right to make that claim. If one were to look outside during any given moment in America there is a very good chance that his eyes will be clogged with shopping malls, superstores, and fast food restaurants. The American dream is dead, and in its place is a "misguided sense of egalitarianism" (Spengler). This belief of egalitarianism in America was first written about in the Declaration of Independence "…held certain truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Unfortunately, Americans today believe that this egalitarianism can be translated into "you may do as you please." Perhaps this is the reason that Americas culture has stripped down and lost underneath the thousands of shopping malls across our once pristine nation.
One of my favorite comedians, George Carlin once said this, referring to the clean and beautiful continent we once had. "It was Paradise. Have you seen it lately? Have you taken a good look at it lately from an objective vantage point? It's F*ing EMBARRASSING. Only a nation of unenlightened halfwits could have taken this beautiful place and turned it into what it is today -- A Shopping Mall. A big f*ing shopping mall."
In addition to transcontinental shopping malls, America has too become flooded by the mass popularity of fast food restaurants. Fast food restaurants were once limited to burger and French fry joints, but have now been transformed into a social phenomenon, and directly contribute to the melting pot which makes up American society. In most countries around the world, cuisine makes up a very large, and special part of a
In contrast to America's immensely diverse citizen pool during the immigration boom of the late 1800's and the early to mid 1900's, America is now just one large "melting pot." All aspects of each unique culture have been thrown together, and "Americanized." American culture itself no longer exists, and with it went the American dream. The unique belief by Americans that hard work and equal rights would one day be rewarded with prosperity is long gone.
Differences in Society
The single greatest difference which separates every human being across the globe is religion. Religion dictates how a person lives each and every day of his life. From one's overall attitude on life, to his views on the afterlife are shaped (in one way or another) by religion. Many quarrels are formed from the basis of religion in the respect that different beliefs between large groups of people spark violence. This is especially evident throughout the Middle East where the Israel and Palestine continue to fight over "religious land."
Around the world, hundreds of religions exist while only a select few have been commonly selected as the "main religions." The main religions include Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Atheism. The very slight differences between such religions are the basis to most holy wars, and perhaps world wars. Just like any usual fight amongst a small group of people, religious fights are initiated due to one person's desire to prove himself correct, while putting down the other person's beliefs. For the reason that people feel very strongly about religion, these quarrels often turn into decade long battles, with death toles in the hundreds of thousands of people.
George Carlin, a comedian who passed away just a few years ago had a skit which portrayed how views on religion can be comprehended in different manors. Carlin's skit, religion is bullshit pokes fun at the idea of a God, and religion itself. In his skit, Carlin refers to God (the almighty and all powerful figure in most religions) as an "invisible man" who's most important rules (the ten commandments) is really just a made up list of things that shouldn't be done. Furthermore, Carlin jokes about the fact that God is "all powerful, all
knowing,all perfect, and all wise" yet just can't seem to handle money. He notes that religion takes in billions of dollars each year, while they do not have any taxes to pay at all.
George Carlin, an average person who has a good sense of humor was able to bisect a subject which is usually only looked at in terms of "black and white" ideologies.
The Original Terrorist
America, home of the brave and land of the free. Known for its fair and balanced government, unmatched freedoms, and undeniable world strength, America has earned its place as one of the worlds greatest powers. With power comes responsibility, and in recent years America has made it its responsibility to sift through the world's countries for terrorists and every living being which poses a threat to the American democracy.
Containing one of the most powerful, wealthy militaries throughout the world, America has had no problems with stepping directly into the business of other countries, as long as it results in a pro-democratic manner. Encounters such the Vietnam war, are precise examples to the destruction America produces while egotistically focusing on its own benefits. The Vietnam war was originally fought between North Vietnam (communists) and South Vietnam (anti-communists). The North was clearly more powerful which is what led America to assume its bab
The fighting in Vietnam still plagues its citizens up to the present day as harmful chemicals dropped during the seventies, are negatively affecting the current generation of Vietnamese children. "Agent Orange", the code name for the harmful herbicide which America dropped on South Vietnam nearly 50 years ago is still destroying families a half a century later. The chemicals used in Agent Orange produce dioxins which come with many negative effects including cancer, as well as begin terribly harmful to the environment. Furthermore, the herbicide's effects genetically transfer from one generation to the next causing massive deformations at birth. America dropped over 20 million gallons of this chemical over South Vietnam alone (http://www.fractalenlightenment.com).
http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2008/06/america-real-terrorist.html