Environmentally Conscious Propoganda

WRIT 140


September 11, 2000





Environmentally Conscious Propaganda





Almost every single original concept today has become mainstream or shows a general trend towards becoming so.   Propagandists realize this and often exploit these ideas, tainting their flavor of originality and creating a new generation of gullible “wannabes” who can partly adhere to any philosophy, but do not allow themselves to be inconveniences by certain doctrines.   Anything that might elicit followers or have the potential to, has drawn the attention of these solicitor, yet one of the fastest growing target audiences today seem to be “nature lovers.”   Three examples extracted from various sources reveal that advertisers are targeting a presumed cultural attitude that people today wish not only to save the environment, but also view nature as the idealistic existence in contrast with the mundane city life most people have accustomed themselves to.


Next one must question, “What is the idealistic existence?”   All three advertisements point to one notion or another but more often than not seem more different than similar.   The fist two automotives ads for Toyota and Honda respectively both deal with the natural environment.   However Toyota appeals directly toward nature lovers and those who share an outdoorsman spirit by asking the question of whether one would blend in with nature, or with traffic.   The advertisement crosses both a machine and the environment, suggesting that a balance can be achieved between man and nature.   The subliminal hint seem to be that the advertised 4-Runner will somehow help one tune into nature.   The stance from the Honda Insight, however, is far from Toyota’s.   Reaching for the environmentalist, the ad immediately grabs at people who are to some degree conscious of environmental concerns such as pollution.   While not an “environmental movement all by itself”...