Advertisement has become imbedded in American culture, coupled with the excess of commercialism in its capitalistic society. In order to sell their products, companies need to advertise. Over the years, the amount of advertising has increased in amount and location. Advertising continues to find new ways to reach targeted audiences, whether through television, movies, and even literature. Gary Ruskin and Juliet Schor wrote an article discussing the intrusive behavior of commercialism and how it is invading the everyday lives of American’s everywhere.
Being on the Board of Directors of Commercial Art, Ruskin and Schor have established their credibility for the topic of commercialism, thus their arguments are valid. The introduction used not only presents the main idea but connects it to the argument involving the relationship between the government and commercialism. Their argument is effective because they assess the locations that commercialism is occupying. Involvement in the government, schools, television, and through spam, commercialism is able to broaden their reach of audiences. However, the excess of advertisements becomes problematic as they increase in numbers. Commercial items are being flushed towards consumers by any means necessary and successfully reaching new consumers. The consumers continue to involve themselves in commercialism becoming more materialistic and thus spending more money on meaningless items, as Ruskin and Schor stated.
Ruskin and Schor also use the pathos appeal by addressing the topic of commercialism and children. Advertisements target children in their homes and at school. Soda, candy, and fast food companies reach children through television commercials during children programs and through product sells in schools. This encourages the children to desire the unhealthy foods more, thus have a probably risk of obesity. By using this appeal, Ruskin and Schor strengthen their argument because of the common appeal towards the health and safety of children. If the children are being endangered, people are more likely to respond.
Growing up, I noticed the ambush of commercialism everywhere I turned. Vending machines, movies and television flooded advertising and products into my life. However, they generally distracted myself from the show I was watching or encouraged me to spend money, resulting in ignoring them to the best of my abilities, but they continue to flood the media. Commercialism is a large part of American society. It continues to grow and affect consumers across the country.
