Sunday, July 15, 2007
1984
It is interesting how "telescreens" are everywhere in 1984, because that is the direction our world is heading towards. I was at a new Shell gas station yesterday and there was a little screen on every pump. I thought it was very unnecessary to air commercials at a gas station, but I noticed every customer was staring at their screen blankly while pumping. Isn’t it strange how people are attracted to T.V screens? I’m not saying there are better things to do than watch those Shell T.V shows while pumping gas, because in all honesty, there is really nothing else you can do while pumping gas. Pumping gas does not take much time in my day and it is not an activity I consider boring, but having a TV screen at my station does not make my experience any grander either. People watching the screen (including myself) shows that we live in a time where we feel the need to be constantly entertained.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
It sort of surprised me that it took so long for such advertising to take place (at a gas station). What's funny is that there's also the add that gives you a number to call in order to have your own add run!
I can't stand that there are so many advertisements everywhere! I'm glad that I haven't encountered one of those screens at the gas station yet. My pet peeve is commercials on the radio. I'm forced to carry a beach boys cassette tape just in case the advertisements start to drive me crazy.
I think people are comforted by mindless entertainment. I think even advertisements are a way for us to escape temporarily. For example, when I watch those Sandals commercials about "having the time of our lives" at some beach resort, it lets me be imaginitive and escape from reality, if only for a few moments. This is why I think people are so addicted to watching TV or listening to the radio despite the advertisements, and I think Shell, or whtaever company is behind installing these screens is taking advantage of this part of human nature. It's unfortunate, because the last thing we need is to watch fast food ads while pumping gas.
i agree with bety i know because i really like watchin thos axes commercials the Bow chika wah wah. and if they avertize in the gas stations they are clearly taking avantage of people because u cant really do anything else in the gas stations except wonder if your car is dirty enough to put in the car wash.
I was getting gas today at Shell's and I did see the tv screens embedded above the gas pumps. While I was pumping gas, there were ad's such as "Get a cold refreshment, while supplies last" it surprised me that advertisements are everwhere!
Post a Comment