“Every human thought word or deed is based in one emotion or the other (fear or love). You have no choice about this because there is nothing else from which to choose. But – you have free choice about which one of these to select.” ~Neale Donald Walsch
The overutilization of fear in the fields of advertising and journalism is eroding our economic well-being, undermining our interpersonal relationships, and endangering our national security. Too many practitioners in these fields are well-aware of the consequences, but their desire to augment wealth, power, and influence exceeds any sense of ethics, or responsibility. Sadly, while the codes of ethics in either of these fields require things such as accuracy, honesty, and the avoidance of plagiarism, preying on people’s fears and insecurities to increase revenue and advertising dollars isn’t included. The effectiveness of fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) has been greatly amplified in the internet age.
Journalists, by their own code of ethics, are required to tell the truth, but the weight they place on certain truths in relation to others effects public perception. To garner more advertising dollars, they are compelled to cover stories which generate viewers and readers. Three obvious subjects are mass shootings, heroin, and terrorism.
Mass shootings, especially those caused by “assault rifles,” such as the AR-15 comprise a very small number in relation to small caliber hand guns. According to 2016 FBI statistics, 3% of all gun-related homicides used rifles. If news coverage were to accurately reflect reality, journalists would be running stories on the other 97% who are dying via hand guns, but that doesn’t induce enough fear. Most law-abiding citizens are fairly confident that they won’t be killed in an impoverished inner-city neighborhood while engaging in illicit drug activity. However, the miniscule possibility of themselves being killed in a theatre by a heavily armed gunman, or their child being murdered in a classroom?
Now, instead of public debate being directed towards the greatest indicator of violence, which is poverty, people are pressuring their representatives to address the issue of AR-15s. Seeing that a base model AR-15’s price starts at $500 dollars before accessories, and ammunition can cost around one dollar per rounds according to Tombstone Tactical’s website, lower income citizens will continue to die by cheaper alternatives. Those that are higher on the socio-economic ladder will continue to watch the news in fear.
Heroin overdoses account for .007% of annual deaths in the United States, but we have an “epidemic” according to news outlets, which perpetuates the costly and ineffective war on drugs. Fear of Islamic militants murdering citizens costs trillions to save a handful of lives, but our bridges, tunnels, and roadways continue to deteriorate and put motorist’s lives at risk, thanks to a complicit media who can only refer to troops as “heroes.”
Advertisers, while understandably held to a lower standard than journalists, have a more direct connection between fear and revenue. Marylin Manson was quite elegant in his interview with Michael Moore with his statement about “…fear and consumption.”
In reference to Manson’s comment on acne, Clearasil has a particularly reprehensible commercial that played upon a particularly vulnerable demographic; teenagers. Specifically, those with imperfections.
According to the code of ethics posted by the American Advertising Federation:
“Advertisers should treat consumers fairly based on the nature of the audience to whom the ads are directed, and the nature of the product or service advertised.”
While this advertisement likely generated revenue for Clearasil, it’s hard to see how the producers of this commercial followed their code of ethics, or even possessed a shred of decency. Junior high and high school kids are generally insecure and irrational in relation to adults. Seeing as though suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, and this age group is most represented, this type of advertising is negligent and detrimental.
In attempting to seek out reviews of this medication’s effectiveness, a Googler can easily see that Clearasil has invested in its “stars.” What appear to be neutral sources by title, read more like advertising in detailing products and directions. Another clear ethical violation.
Marilyn Manson’s public relations difficulties in the time after the Columbine mass murder, and the public’s need to demonize and blame are nothing new.
Back in the 80s, before rap and hip/hop became the music feared and loathed by parents, heavy metal was music they feared. Journalist contributed to this with countless stories of Satanic rituals, backwards messages, and Dungeons and Dragons related murders. The “moral majority” was determined to protect our children from this demonic music threat, and Tipper Gore raised an army of “Washington Wives” to silence musicians exercising their First Amendment rights.
Long Island’s own, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister spoke before the committee about how his character and lyrical contents were misrepresented by Mrs. Gore, even so far as his home town newspaper; Newsweek. In her article, she wrote how the song “Under the Blade” detailed sexual perversion, and S&M. One wonders how many well-meaning parents confiscated that album.
While lyrically juvenile, a listener is left to wonder what Tipper was hearing. Mr. Snider was admonished later by the committee for stating that “…Mrs. Gore has a dirty mind.”
His testimony:
Lyrics to Under the Blade:
When unethical journalists and advertisers teach us to love fear and fear love, it leads us toward gated communities, the persecution of minorities, at-capacity prisons, and the willful relinquishing of rights by frightened citizens.
PPAAA 