How far have we really come?
May 10, 2008I think sometimes we truly believe that change is impossible, that all is hopeless and helpless in the world. These thoughts and feelings we have on the world could not be more wrong for there is proof in history of how times have changed, how things have evolved (for good or worse). The fact that they evolved means that it is still happening and that we all have a part to play, which side we choose is up to us. So here are some old adverts from way back when (or perhaps not so long ago)…
Look at each one and see what you think…
please note that I mean no offence by showing you these - they are merely to demonstrate how far we have come and what the media can do/endorse… I can also be very sarcastic again no offence but you are warned…
Can you imagine seeing this in the newspaper in this day and age?
Or this one for that matter…
I actually own one of these vintage Kenwood Chef’s makes a racket and takes close on an hour to get your hearing back! Then the cake flops leaving a hole in the middle for my caramel, my thigh’s are happy, my guests smile politely… I blame the Chef of course 
How about this one?
(Please note if you want breakfast in bed feed me Mornidine perhaps I will be able to talk before my morning coffee (why did no one tell me about this miracle drug before???)
… and in case you think I’m a feminist which I am not …
(future mother-in-law watch out I have the cure!)
Did you know that beer gives you vigour and strength??? Hearing this makes me want to head towards the fridge and grab one… oh sorry I am now into alcoholized grape juice it is apparently full of vitamins (well that is what I’ve heard)
Well now had I known this… Next time I get in the cockpit of a plane I will be sure to … Is this not what they fed the Kamikaze pilots as well?
… This probably is one of my favourites… do you know that doctors endorsed smoking, doesn’t he just look so wise, it makes me just want to light up… *cough cough splatter*
… apparently perfection is in not having any wrinkles *looks at her hands, shrugs* oh well there is no hope for me…
No Ways! REALLY???
… and hence forth we have woman’s insurance, cheaper than the men’s …
… good to know … *scribbles reminder notes to get vitamins*
… nah … but is it illegal to kill a man?
I remember similar adverts in SA except it was to get better paying jobs… No comments for this one just revulsion
… Remember to always smell good, have your teeth brushed and your hair perfectly combed because your partner just might not “love” you … phah (I love the lipstick they put on this guy looks fab don’t you think?)
… and then we wonder …
… I smoke because it’s the quickest way to become cool … it’s the only way you know, so light up, inhale (I don’t want to be cool any more so I am quitting sniff)
… Don’t forget your medication folks …
(actually reminds me of Absolute Vodka adverts hmmm)
One of the only “ads” I approve of and I end with on purpose
These adverts can evoke anger, rage, sadness, wonder, some might giggle at the stupidity of them but this is now, back then it was matter of fact and daily living.
Fact remains… Do you see how far we have come? and secondly do you see how media can manipulate a society?
Morale of the story
Don’t believe everything you read
If you feel that all is helpless look towards the past in order to see how far you/we/society has come, it is normally one of the best indicators. Sure times change, different problems crop up but ultimately things evolve, they move forward… it’s up to us to make it a positive one taking the lessons from the past and using them for the good of the future…
… choice …
PS If you can’t see the pictures clearly I have attached the links so that you can see them in a new window
…and Queen Victoria was prescribed cocaine by her physician.
… and Freud took it morning and night, on the odd days for lunch as well …
lol..did anyone ever mention that i am very paranoid about smokers? i donno i hate the smell of it and also the people who do it in front of me(even after they know i hate it) and the ones who don’t use a mouth freshener after that)…and the ones who smoke in public places…!phew!
Sounds like Singapore is the best country for you lol - I have no problems with it naturally
I learned so much from those ads. I need to smell nice, wear a bullet bra and heels while I am cleaning house and cooking dinner, after a long day of smoking cigarettes and driving my automatic (cuz I am too stupid for a manual). And if I am pregnant I must drag my morning-sick body out of bed, or poison the baby with antinausea medication to keep my man in bacon.
It is no wonder that I need heroin.
ROFL oooo don’t forget to take the uppers before the house cleaning and to slip the senile agitation cure into your in-laws coffee when they visit… all of course with a heroin induced smile
oh actually we have laws here against smoking in public…but well no one ever follows ‘em…laws are meant to be broken..
This was a fabulous post, sanityfound. Or, in early 60’s parlance and since you say you are not a feminist, you won’t be offended: “Fab, man.”
Images as well as thoughts behind it. Just a delight. I’m going to send the link to others. Thanks!
I’m not so sure it’s gotten any better; it’s just changed with the times. Saw a program a while ago on PBS called The Merchants of Cool about the advertising tactics being used by such as MTV to exploit young consumers. The things that are valued may have changed, but they are no less superficial (or shocking).
That being said, I got a kick out of your examples… pretty darned hilarious!
Ilegirl - I would just like to say my thighs are very happy, I devoured a whole waffle topped with toffee, banana and ice-cream, I just couldn’t resist… and yes got a large substantial dollop on my chin!
Vishesh - lol yeah well I vote they start dealing with drunken driving it kills more people…
Pat - lol thanks man glad you enjoyed it
- I am very rarely offended for I am ageless and sexless, makes life easier 
Robert - that is my point, media is a devil no matter how the times change… but they have changed
In those days they advertised wife beating, wrong colour, disrespect to elders, how to be a good wife and worse yet how bad it was NOT to be married… perhaps it is personal because I sit here not married and no one cares, if I were transported back then I think I would’ve been the biggest rebel around!!!
So there is positivity even though there is negativity, we have moved forward, we are now trying to abolish these practices because they are now seen as morally wrong. This gives me hope because it shows us that we as a human race can discern right from wrong and the cherry on the cake is the fact that change is possible. We will always have to deal with the media, more people however are following their inner moral compass… the nation is becoming aware and the people are standing up in the right way.
There is always positivity in negativity
Glad you enjoyed the pictures, aren’t they a laugh!!!
…and in 20 years time we will all laugh about that “global warming nonsense”
Our TV broke back in the mid 1980’s. At the time, we had two little children, trying to make ends meet on one blue collar income. Hardly had enough money for postage stamps, let alone a new TV. I went through a definite “withdrawal” experience, just like coming off a drug. For the next 5 years the only television I saw was at someone else’s home….not that I had anything against TV…just couldn’t afford one. When we finally did get a new one, I was amazed at the changes in advertising that had happened in just that little time. So as I sit here 20 years later, the “cultural shift” I see when I watch TV (rarely) is mind boggling….great pictures by the way.
… and in 40 years we will all laugh about the fact that cars ran on fuel with the even funnier joke of them having tyres…
I haven’t watched TV in years except for watching at other’s homes, if there is a show I want to watch I tend to do the whole dvd thing - adverts irritate me and waste time lol - I am weird after all
This is so interesting about how far we have come, and how women have owned their power so much more since then. The images of women compliant, powerless, and only focused on their men is so opposite the imaging of independent, focused women of today. Advertising still does its best to influence us in very strong ways, but through more subtle means, at least it seems more subtle; maybe in the fifties those ads seemed “subtle” in their approach. I do agree, that many of us seem more internally motivated now, and not as susceptible to the practices…… it is a real eye opener to see these ads, and remember what influence they did have.
You have hit the nail on the head in a sense - evolution has brought us to the point where we can not trust the outerworld we as humans are now forced to start looking more inwards for the answers we seek. The is a revolution of evolution that is taking place am just glad that I am part of it
The media still has a hold though, although the content may have changed the messages albeit different but still there, this time though it is more in the text than the ad’s.
Too far ????
Visionary ducks and runs …
lol
ROFL *chucks Visionary’s glass of water over his head*
I am too fast dear you can run but you can’t hide lol seems you forgot your Thorazine today