Advertising is constantly accused of employing trickery. In some cases there is a true bait and switch, but people forget that they are the interpreters of media. Ads are there to sell you things. You are the critical thinker in this relationship.
I play a trick on myself occasionally that I learned from Penelope Trunk. Instead of telling myself I am going to the gym after work, I say I will drive around the block instead of turning toward my apartment. Then I tell myself I will drive past the gym but won’t go inside. But I always make the right turn into the gym parking lot.
Once I’m there, I have to go inside to validate my parking and get out. But if I’m going to walk up the stairs to the parking self-serve, I am damn well going to exercise.
I do this because it’s easier to commit to driving two blocks out of my way than to an hour of grueling cardio.
Ads “mislead” you in the same way. They tell you that to lose weight, get shiny hair or find love, you must only commit to buying their product. What they don’t say is that all weight loss is hard work, some hair is too damaged and some people are not great at social interaction. That’s the reality of life.
Are they lying to you? Not necessarily. Bowflex can make you thinner if you use it often and properly. Pantene can shine up your hair if you haven’t fried it. Lavalife can set you up if you are attractive and charming to your prospective dates. But it all begins with the little commitment: buying the product.
Telling you these things can happen is not a lie. The truth of life is that nothing worthwhile is easy.
You are the critical thinker here. You can say, hey, if I bought a Bowflex it would just sit in my house holding my laundry. Or you can buy the Bowflex and tell yourself you’re just going to go sit on it, but end up exercising.
Or you can buy the Bowflex, hang your laundry, and then blame the company for “misleading” you. You went to the gym, but now you’re leaving without exercising.
Next time you think an ad is misleading, ask this question: Is the ad fooling you, or are you fooling yourself?
