Universal Health Care ! CA (Darwin: horse, teach, business)

[StanleysOwl]

Originally Posted by HereOnMars

Of course, other factors play a role and I agree with you that emotional eating plays a big part in it. You need to detach yourself from your logical thinking in what you are like or how you think and take a look at the bigger picture.

Certain advertisers pay big money to grocery stores to place their products in specific areas that will been seen first by shoppers. And, up by the checkout, you'll see more junk food next to the magazines. This is to grab the impulse shopper AND stores are paid to do that by the company selling the products.

Television commercials that air during certain parts of the day are gears to their viewing audience. You'll see more sugary cereal commercials on Saturday morning than at any other time of the week. Pizza, burger and ice cream commercials air more in the evening than they do in the the morning or early afternoon.

Looking at the larger picture, you can clearly see how advertisers and food manufacturers work to sell their products and we mere mortals (many of them anyway) don't get it or, as you say, don't value themselves enough or are suffering with self-esteem issues and just let it happen. Sorry but it's not just black and white. There are so many variables as to why people get to the point of obesity. It's not just one thing.

In fact, that is where the bulk of grocery retail profit comes from. They make very little from shelf sales. They score their money from co-op advertising and product placement just as you point out.

[CaliRestoration]

Originally Posted by HereOnMars

Of course, other factors play a role and I agree with you that emotional eating plays a big part in it. You need to detach yourself from your logical thinking in what you are like or how you think and take a look at the bigger picture.

Certain advertisers pay big money to grocery stores to place their products in specific areas that will been seen first by shoppers. And, up by the checkout, you'll see more junk food next to the magazines. This is to grab the impulse shopper AND stores are paid to do that by the company selling the products.

Television commercials that air during certain parts of the day are gears to their viewing audience. You'll see more sugary cereal commercials on Saturday morning than at any other time of the week. Pizza, burger and ice cream commercials air more in the evening than they do in the the morning or early afternoon.

Looking at the larger picture, you can clearly see how advertisers and food manufacturers work to sell their products and we mere mortals (many of them anyway) don't get it or, as you say, don't value themselves enough or are suffering with self-esteem issues and just let it happen. Sorry but it's not just black and white. There are so many variables as to why people get to the point of obesity. It's not just one thing.

Sure it's not "one thing" as to why people are fat. I do believe genetics play a part as well.

But your "messaging" argument just falls flat with me. Politicians use the same logic with regard to "violent video games" creating killers or "fashion magazines with revealing clothing" creating rapist.

I simply believe individual choice is FAR more of a factor than external messaging.

[JGC97]

Originally Posted by StanleysOwl

In fact, that is where the bulk of grocery retail profit comes from. They make very little from shelf sales. They score their money from co-op advertising and product placement just as you point out.

I did not know that. See? Never too old to learn something new.

[JGC97]

Originally Posted by CaliRestoration

Sure it's not "one thing" as to why people are fat. I do believe genetics play a part as well.

But your "messaging" argument just falls flat with me. Politicians use the same logic with regard to "violent video games" creating killers or "fashion magazines with revealing clothing" creating rapist.

I simply believe individual choice is FAR more of a factor than external messaging.

It's okay. You don't have to believe in what I say, that's your choice. I once thought like you, though. Years of observation have shown me otherwise. People are very easily manipulated. Furthermore, they never believe anything bad will happen to them, either. It's always the other guy that bad things will happen to ... until it's not. Ever seen one of those "quit smoking" commercials with the woman hooked up to an oxygen tank or the one with the hole in her throat? They never thought their bad habit would lead to that, either. Yes, people always think it will happen to the other guy/gal.

[CaliRestoration]

Originally Posted by HereOnMars

It's okay. You don't have to believe in what I say, that's your choice. I once thought like you, though. Years of observation have shown me otherwise. People are very easily manipulated. Furthermore, they never believe anything bad will happen to them, either. It's always the other guy that bad things will happen to ... until it's not. Ever seen one of those "quit smoking" commercials with the woman hooked up to an oxygen tank or the one with the hole in her throat? They never thought their bad habit would lead to that, either. Yes, people always think it will happen to the other guy/gal.

So you're of the belief that in general people are stupid enough to be manipulated by commercials and ads. That's a very dire outlook for the world in general but I do admit it's hard to argue the opposite side.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by CaliRestoration

Sure it's not "one thing" as to why people are fat. I do believe genetics play a part as well.

But your "messaging" argument just falls flat with me. Politicians use the same logic with regard to "violent video games" creating killers or "fashion magazines with revealing clothing" creating rapist.

I simply believe individual choice is FAR more of a factor than external messaging.

UH, companies pay billions to try and motivate people to buy their product, come to a resort, take a cruise, etc. They KNOW such alters people choices and behavior. Violence breeds violence as we have seen a HUGE rise in bullying in schools as an example, and Modesty is a word most people do not know anymore. As to Rapists, who knows as no matter what a person wears that is not an excuse for rape. Using Killers and Rapists hides the change in people as to violence brought on by such promotions, at a lower but very bad level.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by CaliRestoration

So you're of the belief that in general people are stupid enough to be manipulated by commercials and ads. That's a very dire outlook for the world in general but I do admit it's hard to argue the opposite side.

Sad but true, look at how fashions have changed and where did such changes come from?????????????????? Commercials, TV shows, Movies and similar. People are stupid enough to be manipulated.

[CaliRestoration]

Originally Posted by expatCA

Sad but true, look at how fashions have changed and where did such changes come from?????????????????? Commercials, TV shows, Movies and similar. People are stupid enough to be manipulated.

I'll be honest, unless I'm out and about, I'm usually sporting a tank top, board shorts, and flip flops because it's comfortable as ****.

[JGC97]

Originally Posted by CaliRestoration

So you're of the belief that in general people are stupid enough to be manipulated by commercials and ads. That's a very dire outlook for the world in general but I do admit it's hard to argue the opposite side.

Not stupid but more as naive or uninformed. Some people. Yes, I do. It explains why we have watchdog groups that check the validity of advertising claims. One such organization that I've read for decades is CSPI (Center for Science in the Public Interest). Took their magazine for years but now they have it available online.

If you haven't heard of it, you should check it out. Very informative about the food we eat as well as other consumer products.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by CaliRestoration

I'll be honest, unless I'm out and about, I'm usually sporting a tank top, board shorts, and flip flops because it's comfortable as ****.

Oh, I have a standard of dress based on needs not commercials. Soon I hope my daily wear will be a T-Shirt, shorts and flip flops too.