We know that much of the world depends on oil as a fuel. We are having trouble finding any alternative that packs the same punch. Moving giant ships and 18-wheel trucks takes deep energy. So, the picture of having too little for world desires and our habitual way of living is a scary one. Similarly, with the even more essential substance, fresh water.
But, at least in my part of the country, I wonder about running low on excitement. It seems that excitement, including fake excitement and very low grade excitement, is a major ingredient in marketing and advertising. Take a look at the tv ads: Drink our beer!! Or even: Drink our beer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have probably tasted beer. You may not like it. Here in Wisconsin, we are required to love it officially and we have enough beer that while it has some very strong fans and supporters, it is too everyday to get very excited about. One way we compensate for over-exposure is to vastly increase the choices and varieties.
A quick sample of ads will reveal every Tom, Dick and Harriet enthusing over this product and that: air ducts, Friday night fish fries, fancy cars and practical cars. In my next life, as an ad writer and director of philosophy for a large advertising agency, I plan on understatement. I think the future is in quiet.
Consider this evidence: Acorn TV is available on the computer and the Roku streaming service and it is strictly British TV. My friends who pay $50 a year (less than Netflix or Amazon Prime tv) to get Foyle's War, Doc Martin, The Broker's Man, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and other gems are thrilled. Now, take a look at those shows and compare them to the average American show. The understatement in the British shows is apparent. Let the story line, the clever remarks speak for themselves. British shows a little older still run with a laugh track, as American shows did for quite a while. That practice seems counter to the trend to use maximum wit and surprise but let it stand on its own. Don't run ads for the show that display the most exciting scenes. Of course, when the storyline and the language are properly intertwined, the situation differs from a car exploding or driving off a bridge. It is harder to show a witty remark in a show trailer since it can't be appreciated by itself.
Anyhow, for the sake of American commerce, I hope we don't run out of youth excitement and shouting and visual effects of Photoshoped tsunamis just when the large corporations and their many employees are counting on sales and income.
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Bill
Main blog: Fear, Fun and Filoz
Main web site: Kirbyvariety
