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Monday, February 6, 2012

Journal Entry #3: Shock Ads

For this journal entry, find two examples of shock advertisements. One should be an example of a shock ad with which you are comfortable, and the other should be one with which you are uncomfortable.

  1. Post a link to each image
  2. Explain your position on each image. 
    • Why is one acceptable and the other not?
    • How do we decide if an image has crossed the line?
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5 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2012 at 3:48 AM

    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_doPJennhf64/SwRB4QvRC5I/AAAAAAAAArs/N79FbqaEb48/s1600/divorce-ad.jpg
    ^ This one made me uncomfortable, due to the message its sending people. Our society has made divorce a norm when marriage is something that is worth commending and honoring.

    http://www.dirjournal.com/internet-journal/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dont-drink-and-drive-2.jpg
    ^ This is image I was more comfortable with, its speaks to the horrible consequences of drinking and driving. It is accepted in our society because of all drinking and driving accidents that happen every year.

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 8, 2012 at 4:52 PM

    http://designyoutrust.com/2010/02/26/shock-ads-or-are-we-perverts/
    ^This website offers three shock ads that I think are not acceptable. This image crosses the line because it explicitly depicts human anatomy using everyday items (Bread, sandwiches).

    http://workthatmatters.blogspot.com/2011/11/why-i-hate-these-anti-sids-shock-ads.html
    ^This website offers two more examples of shock advertising, but it is done in a more acceptable way. The message is that co-sleeping with a newborn is as dangerous as a knife because it often leads to infant deaths. This ad works because its purpose is to raise awareness about very real issues facing mothers and their newborns and does not display the image in an inappropriate manner.

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  3. AnonymousFebruary 8, 2012 at 8:37 PM

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/47383000@N06/5375535090/in/photostream/
    This anti-human trafficking ad is acceptable to me because it conveys it's message without making me nauseous. It clearly shows that people are viewed as meat and can be bought at a price.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/47383000@N06/5375534248/in/photostream/
    This image crosses the line for me. Unlike the first ad, it shows women as soley sexual objects rather than valuable and unique people.

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  4. AnonymousFebruary 8, 2012 at 9:46 PM

    http://www.oddee.com/_media/imgs/articles2/a97673_g235_4-talk-and-drive.jpg
    To me,this image is more acceptable than the other because it has a clear,obvious purpose,which is to increase awareness of the danger of talking while driving. This goal is also connected to public welfare,which I think is why most people would be able to tolerate the shock coming from the image.

    http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wg2mnzIH9mI/TF409dvVeDI/AAAAAAAAFL8/uw0Hfjg8NYs/s1600/Somethin+Bizarre+Human+Meat+Packages+from+PETA+5.jpg
    From my point of view,this image is literally gross and disturbing. Both images have blood in them,but this image definitely seems to have crossed the line,disregarding human dignity. Even though this image also has its goal,which is to protest against the consumption of animal meat,the visual simply overwhelms its goal. It is just too much. In addition,I think its purpose is limited to relatively small amount of people compared to the former one.

    I think one of the standards to tell whether the image has crossed the line or not is to see if the image is for the common good or not. Another standard that I think of is if people can attach themselves to the image and find the image somewhat alerting or helpful in their real lives. Also the image should consider universally-hold values such as human dignity.

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  5. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2012 at 6:27 AM

    http://www.brandchannel.com/features_effect.asp?pf_id=84
    This first image is acceptable to me. Although it has borderline profanity, and what some might view as a gross image of human hearts, it conveys a message that everyone is the same regardless of skin color.

    http://gemssty.com/2006/11/21/advertising-shock-tactics/
    This is too much for me. The billboard above the pool is slightly disturbing, but the sign on the bottom of the pool is too far. Not because it's a disturbing image, but as a lifeguard, that would freak me out everytime I glanced in that direction, much as it would for the parents.

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