Re: [acornlive] Back From Babylon
Marc Goldin (acornlive@dublinwriters.org)
Sat, 27 May 2000 15:09:35 -0700
At 02:12 PM 5/27/00 +0100, you wrote:
>I do understand that. Honestly I do. America was built on hustle as much as
>hucksterism. However, it strikes me that commercial manipulation of the
>general public in the States crosses the line and has become markedly
>Pavlovian or Skinnerian or whatever. Humming the background tune of one's
>favorite TV advertisement while on the way to buy "gotta have" brand jeans,
>trainers, etc. is...well...some evidence for brain washing. As I said, it is
>merely my opinion, but I still insist that there are light years of
>difference between straightforward advertising of a product and
>psychologically manipulating the audience to install a virtual craving for
>the thing.
>Regards,
>Liam
Hi Liam,
Well put. Though born and raised in the States, I have to agree with
you. Still love the place, warts and all, but have no illusions. Was
fortunate to have come up in Chicago, which outside of Boston and New York,
has got to be one of the most heavily Irish of U.S towns. This was where
Chief Francis O'Neill settled, for all love, so you know the Irish music
here is the "real thing". This actually leads to another point. I posted an
article, a few weeks ago, from the Irish Times, discussing the Irish and
American cultural swap. Fairly well thought out and made me realize that
like it or not, the two cultures are hopelessly enmeshed. Give it a read.
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/features/2000/0511/fea3.htm
Good slant on the States, on your part, and I have to admit
that I'd like to get funded to study over there for awhile.
Best,
Marc
Goldin
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