The big outcry this week, because people have nothing better to bitch about in this world, are the World Cup sponsors, such as McDonald's, Budweiser, and Coca Cola. The World Cancer Research Fund is outraged...no OUTRAGED that instead of choosing healthy sponsors to promote a healthy lifestyle, FIFA has gone with fast food, booze, and soda.
I'll be the first to concede that advertising has a huge effect on the choices people make each day. I don't even eat fast food, but I would be lying if I said that seeing a picture of an Angus beef burger loaded with cheese and bacon isn't tempting. This does not mean that they are responsible if I go buy that burger.
See, I also have a choice. I choose not to eat fast food the majority of the time. I choose to drink in moderation. I don't even like soda, but if I did, I would choose to drink it in moderation as well. Everyone has that choice, and no amount of advertising is going to change the fact that in the end, the choice to live a healthy lifestyle is up to the individual.
It is no secret that the above mentioned products are unhealthy. We get bombarded by the Food Police with this message and the screeching reminder that obesity is an epidemic all the time. I truly believe that these efforts to make us shy away from these things is slowly having an opposite effect that is going to come back and bite them in the ass, undermining their every effort. When people begin complaining about unhealthy sponsors, I know that it makes me roll my eyes.
The fact is, people have the right to promote their products and make money. The consumer that cannot take personal responsibility for what they eat or drink is completely at fault for any healthy issues they suffer because of their choices.
So, pretty much, get over it.
We do love to place blame don't we? I read yesterday an article where a family had chosen to quit paying their mortgage and instead used the extra money for things like going to Outback Steakhouse. They placed the blame on the bank for giving them a loan that over-extended them. Much like you point out here it is easier to place the blame than it is to be responsible, so many choose the easier path. What I find fascinating is this is admitting ignorance. It is saying 'I'm not smart enough to judge what I should eat' or ‘I'm not smart enough to not be hornswoggled by advertising'. While these same people--where you to tell them they were ignorant--would be offended. Many here—the U.S.—feel that government is invading in their lives while saying ‘please protect me from blah, blah, blah’. Then if they are not protected from blah, blah, blah it is the governments fault. I agree with you here, much like I mentioned owning your words in a previous response, the world would also be more pleasant if people were to own their actions. Blame is unbecoming.
ReplyDelete-S
Well stated! What I find most bothersome about this trend, is that in playing stupid/ignorant/incapable, people are willing to give up the most basic of freedoms so that they can go on living in their little dream where they can get away with blaming the world for their own failings.
ReplyDeleteBut you are right...call these people ignorant, and they'll probably sue you because their feelings got hurt.
It's amazing what people will do to get out of basically, being adults. The article you mentioned is absolutely disgusting.
In case you feel like being disgusted--keep in mind most of this is Florida :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/business/01nopay.html?scp=2&sq=foreclosure&st=cse
Weird Florida. I am not surprised.
ReplyDelete