Pavlov's Dog

[Orwellian_Ghost]

Most Americans don't think about how symbols are formed or manipulated to control meaning. The average American doesn't think about how their opinions are engineered by slick political advertisements, and how their palates are controlled by well-designed commercials.

They go on buying "Happy Meals" for their children without thinking about how those fatty foods are making their children obese, and thus subject to ridicule and life-long health issues. The images and jingles are like the bell that Pavlov rang to make a dog salivate even when no food was present. Do you get hungry when you see images of food, thirsty when you watch a beer commercial, horny when you look at a porn magazine? Do you feel inadequate or ugly when you see a beautiful woman on the cover of a fashion magazine? Are you Pavlov's dog?

You are Pavlov's dog if you have purchased an item impulsively, if you have a Goodwill or eBay addiction. Do you get a rush of endorphins when you win the auction? Do you feel good when you save money by spending money? Do you feel pleasure because you believe you got the "stuff" cheap? Then the symbols have shaped your reality, first by making you want the "stuff" that you probably didn't need, and then by making you "feel good" by purchasing that stuff, most of which will end up in your garage, or back at Goodwill someday.

Worse yet are the political advertisements that blatantly lie to persuade the voter, that use emotional images to sway opinions. Do you conform to a political agenda simply because you associate yourself with "Republicans" or "Democrats" or "Greens"? These entities shape your political reality, but what do they symbolize? Why pledge your allegiance to an elephant or a donkey? Should you let words like "liberal" or "conservative" inspire fear and loathing?

Are you Pavlov's dog, or can you decipher the manipulation of political language? Does the following argument make sense to you?

[BeatleBoot]

1. I feel great after a good workout

Like I could conquer the world.

Or even after doing the "you know what".

If that means that I am Pavlov's dog, then all I have to say is:

"Woof! Daddy wants some more!"

[Orwellian_Ghost]

3. Don't see the connection

:shrug:

[Ravy]

7. And I don't see an argument following your "following argument" question. nt

:yoiks:

[fishnfla]

2. I am not Pavlov's dog, I am his Honduran yardman

release the hounds!

[rusty quoin]

4. I know what you mean, but not being Pavlov's Dog is

incredibly difficult in all instances, but when it comes to political ads, my radar has always been on. I hate ads, because I know they want to sell me something I probably don't want, but I can't say I am completely immune. Nobody's perfect.

[Mojorabbit]

5. I love ebay

because it is the only place I can find unconventional clothing and I hate going out to go shopping.

[freesqueeze]

6. Where's the following argument?

Don't you agree that the side-effects of drugs don't matter if you say them really really fast?

[pansypoo53219]

8. well, i do more selling by far on ebay

and i do my shopping at estate sales and resale. recycling. i don't really care. tho i am jonesing sorta right now. but nothing makes me happier than finding something odd a new home and the buyer is thrilled. or collects the item and it's hard to find. plus, i find things i never would see in a store. and i ffeel more connected that from things at an antique store. estate sales rock.
tho, my collections keep getting weirder.