Consumers and the Public

For the most part, I can see where Adorno is coming from when he states, “The triumph of advertising in the culture industry is that consumers feel compelled to buy and use its products even though they see through them.” Today there is a lot of pressure to be a certain way and teenagers to young adults of varying ages all want to fit into an ideal. We buy products to be like movie stars or models we see in television or in movies. And our society facilitates this through advertising and this way of being is deeply rooted in our culture. However, there are those rare occasions where television steps away from the ideal; for example, plus size models who are confident and strong and talk shows that converse about inner beauty and the importance of being a secure individual.Next, I can also see where Benjamin is coming form when he states, “The public is an examiner, but an absent-minded one.” The public attends a movie to be entertained or to relax and with all the special effects the audience engages in the movie but often times does not play close attention to details on what the movie is portraying or the message beyond the technology. Although, I have often seen films that from a critical point of view have had meaning, purpose and a message to say about current times. I have also spoken to individuals about there own views of certain films and individuals who really took the time to dive into the artistry of the film. So in some cases, the public is an examiner and at the same time fully attentive to the sequences of the film.