Mass Media Business

The section here that stood out the most was definitely the VALS Framework. The fact that they simplify people into these categories in their Values and Lifestyles chart is a bit insulting. Maybe because the truth hurts? Some sections seem to make sense, but lumping people into these categories is exactly the heartless type of method that could alienate people. But I suppose as long as there are people around to consume, and as long as advertisers keep looking for ways to peddle products, things won't exactly change. That also makes me question whether my lack of resources is my reason for feeling this way. If I can barely afford bill money right now, nevermind textbooks then of course they'd lump me into a Survivor category.
Although, even when I had money to spare while working full time and not having to worry about rent, electric, internet, loan interest bills, I don't remember ever being guided by advertising to begin with. As a child, yes. Any commercial for a video game, especially with weird visuals and loud noises was like a reaction from Pavlov's dog. But as I got older, I cared less for what they were selling. I could be wowed by a commercial, or advertisement in terms of th idea, creativity, or flashiness - but as far as leading me to buy the product? doubtful. And I'm not the only one, I don't see too many people being led by advertising on tv and especially not from the streets or subways.
We experience ~2,000 forms of advertisements a day apparently, and I'd be hard-pressed to tell you any of what I saw, other han a few that stick out because they were funny. Such as:




















Then again, it contains things I'm already interest in, or that I buy (although not from fresh direct). So it's not exactly something NEW to me. Now I wonder whether I'm simply unaware of the effect on me, on what category I fall into and whether I'm so desensitized and in denial that I refuse to accept that I'm as far in this as anyone else?