Horkheimer and Adorno describe the culture industry to be paradoxical in that we see and joke about its true motives yet; we still perpetuate it by buying products. In some societies advertisements are supposedly providing the public service of being informative for consumers and saving them time. Today, advertising has gained a negative connotation as the market becomes less free. The power of advertising lies and remains in the hands of the same wealthy people or companies (22). Systems promote the use of advertising for every product thus creative a normative behavior and standard within it. Horkheimer and Adorno compare the use of advertising to the assembly line complex in that it detaches the product from the consumer by forcing it through an unrealistic skit and there is a high production rate for advertisements (23).
The most prevalent example of people buying into a product is apple with their most recent product being the “Mini Ipad”. Despite the fact that there is many variations of products for smart phones and touch screens similar to the ipad, apple still remains number one. They are the company with the most saturated commercials across the country as their advertisement are seen on every facet of the public such as billboards, transportation, commercials, celebrity endorsements, and film production. Their most recent product, Ipad Mini, was paired with a commercial trying to differentiate it from past product (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL0UlqpfuQc&list=UUE_M8A5yxnLfW0KghEeajjw&index=3&feature=plcp).
This video asserts the notions centering on Horkheimer and Adorno, which point out how we see through products but continue to buy into them (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J2Au80BmHc). It directly mocks the advertisement from Apple by using similar looking characters, comments, and atmosphere. It also suggests other products that Apple could make which would also just be a size difference from the original Ipad. When put in this context it makes the new product look pointless. As long as Apple comes up with a good enough commercial to demonstrate why someone would need this product then people will buy it. People follow the actions of others so if a chain reaction of purchasing begins then this product will take off. Their main competitor in the product is explaining to other Ipad owners why this product is better. Essentially advertising/production is about companies finding ways to continuously outdo themselves. People want to fit into the social construct of having the most updated technology because it shows their status. If status gained a new definition that did not involve technology then it would help. Additionally, if there were a limit on the saturation of product advertisements then people would not be confounded by Apple products everywhere they turn. Products are not made with the same durability as they used to be, not because manufacturers do not know how, but because it is a large way to drive consumerism. Cell phone companies that are extremely restrictive in coverage for lost or damaged phones also force consumerism. More coverage at lower rates would help combat the force for new products because consumers could keep their same product for longer.
The most prevalent example of people buying into a product is apple with their most recent product being the “Mini Ipad”. Despite the fact that there is many variations of products for smart phones and touch screens similar to the ipad, apple still remains number one. They are the company with the most saturated commercials across the country as their advertisement are seen on every facet of the public such as billboards, transportation, commercials, celebrity endorsements, and film production. Their most recent product, Ipad Mini, was paired with a commercial trying to differentiate it from past product (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL0UlqpfuQc&list=UUE_M8A5yxnLfW0KghEeajjw&index=3&feature=plcp).
This video asserts the notions centering on Horkheimer and Adorno, which point out how we see through products but continue to buy into them (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J2Au80BmHc). It directly mocks the advertisement from Apple by using similar looking characters, comments, and atmosphere. It also suggests other products that Apple could make which would also just be a size difference from the original Ipad. When put in this context it makes the new product look pointless. As long as Apple comes up with a good enough commercial to demonstrate why someone would need this product then people will buy it. People follow the actions of others so if a chain reaction of purchasing begins then this product will take off. Their main competitor in the product is explaining to other Ipad owners why this product is better. Essentially advertising/production is about companies finding ways to continuously outdo themselves. People want to fit into the social construct of having the most updated technology because it shows their status. If status gained a new definition that did not involve technology then it would help. Additionally, if there were a limit on the saturation of product advertisements then people would not be confounded by Apple products everywhere they turn. Products are not made with the same durability as they used to be, not because manufacturers do not know how, but because it is a large way to drive consumerism. Cell phone companies that are extremely restrictive in coverage for lost or damaged phones also force consumerism. More coverage at lower rates would help combat the force for new products because consumers could keep their same product for longer.