Can capitalism function without advertising?

[Wilson23]

I hate that whole industry passionately. All the ways it annoys, bothers, POLLUTES daily life. All the creative talent it gobbles up and misemploys. I want every ad-man in the WORLD dead.

If I had a time machine, I would not bother with killing Hitler. I would do some research to identify what company can fairly be considered the first commercial advertising firm. Then I would go there and murder everybody on the premises with spectacular, headline-grabbing, blood-on-the-ceiling brutality. I would leave a placard saying, "SO PERISH ALL ADVERTISERS. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REVIVE THIS INDUSTRY." I would repeat the process exactly on anyone who disregarded that warning.

But could capitalism thrive without it?

 

[Rightguide]

I hate that whole industry passionately. All the ways it annoys, bothers, POLLUTES daily life. All the creative talent it gobbles up and misemploys. I want every ad-man in the WORLD dead.

If I had a time machine, I would not bother with killing Hitler. I would do some research to identify what company can fairly be considered the first commercial advertising firm. Then I would go there and murder everybody on the premises with spectacular, headline-grabbing, blood-on-the-ceiling brutality. I would leave a placard saying, "SO PERISH ALL ADVERTISERS. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REVIVE THIS INDUSTRY." I would repeat the process exactly on anyone who disregarded that warning.

But could capitalism thrive without it?

Yes, you'd prefer to listen to a government harangue telling you how to live as opposed to free people telling you what to buy.

 

[Wilson23]

Yes, you'd prefer to listen to a government harangue telling you how to live as opposed to free people telling you what to buy.

Irrelevant to the question.

 

[MrsKissit]

I hate that whole industry passionately. All the ways it annoys, bothers, POLLUTES daily life. All the creative talent it gobbles up and misemploys. I want every ad-man in the WORLD dead.

If I had a time machine, I would not bother with killing Hitler. I would do some research to identify what company can fairly be considered the first commercial advertising firm. Then I would go there and murder everybody on the premises with spectacular, headline-grabbing, blood-on-the-ceiling brutality. I would leave a placard saying, "SO PERISH ALL ADVERTISERS. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REVIVE THIS INDUSTRY." I would repeat the process exactly on anyone who disregarded that warning.

But could capitalism thrive without it?

The very first television advertisement was for Timex watches ( they take a lick'en and keep on tick'en) .
Julian Koenig was the ad agency that produced the advertisement, and directed the marketing at Timex.

 

[MrsKissit]

The very first television advertisement was for Timex watches ( they take a lick'en and keep on tick'en) .
Julian Koenig was the ad agency that produced the advertisement, and directed the marketing at Timex.
You might want to consider Anger management counseling .

 

[Wilson23]

The very first television advertisement was for Timex watches ( they take a lick'en and keep on tick'en) .
Julian Koenig was the ad agency that produced the advertisement, and directed the marketing at Timex.

No, one would have to go back further than that. Before television, there was radio and magazine advertising.

Before that there was classified advertising, which is tolerable as one must make an effort even to find it. It's not OBTRUSIVE like other forms.

 

[RoryN]

The very first television advertisement was for Timex watches ( they take a lick'en and keep on tick'en) .

Nope. But you're correct in that the first TV ad was for watches.

(Also, Timex wasn't called "Timex" until 1969.)

 

[Rightguide]

I hate that whole industry passionately. All the ways it annoys, bothers, POLLUTES daily life. All the creative talent it gobbles up and misemploys. I want every ad-man in the WORLD dead.

If I had a time machine, I would not bother with killing Hitler. I would do some research to identify what company can fairly be considered the first commercial advertising firm. Then I would go there and murder everybody on the premises with spectacular, headline-grabbing, blood-on-the-ceiling brutality. I would leave a placard saying, "SO PERISH ALL ADVERTISERS. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REVIVE THIS INDUSTRY." I would repeat the process exactly on anyone who disregarded that warning.

But could capitalism thrive without it?

Only on a much smaller scale. Demand for essentials, fuel, water, and food would still drive competition, but only if buyers knew the sources. Without advertising, markets would rely on reputation and direct knowledge, making capitalism more localized and less brand-driven, but still functional.

 

[Chernosoth]

From the forum rules:

Do not threaten other people. Do not post images or words directly or indirectly implying threats or encouragement of physical harm.

Advertising is bullshit work that is being dumped on software and global sweatshops, in a growing recognition that it's at best a poor investment.

 

[MrsKissit]

No, one would have to go back further than that. Before television, there was radio and magazine advertising.

Before that there was classified advertising, which is tolerable as one must make an effort even to find it. It's not OBTRUSIVE like other forms.

Even before the classical Greek /Roman period advertising was used. Everything from bordellos to foot wear was "advertised".

 

[MrsKissit]

Even before the classical Greek /Roman period advertising was used. Everything from bordellos to foot wear was "advertised". Capitalism and Advertisement are the " Foot Wear" of creativity and Community growth.

 

[MrsKissit]

The problem developed when this power is abused. Profiteers, fraudsters have been very creative in their ways of manipulation and deceit .

 

[Wilson23]

Only on a much smaller scale. Demand for essentials, fuel, water, and food would still drive competition, but only if buyers knew the sources. Without advertising, markets would rely on reputation and direct knowledge, making capitalism more localized and less brand-driven, but still functional.

That sounds like a SLIGHTLY POORER but otherwise MUCH BETTER world to live in than what we've got now.

 

[Chernosoth]

The diehard believers here advertise their beliefs. They don't matter at all in affecting anyone's vote, but they still count as advertisers, including the OP.

 

[Wilson23]

The diehard believers here advertise their beliefs. They don't matter at all in affecting anyone's vote, but they still count as advertisers, including the OP.

I was only talking about COMMERCIAL advertising. If that never developed as it has in our timeline, then the techniques for POLITICAL advertising would only be those available in the 19th Century.

And those already were objectionable enough, as you'll know if you ever read about the Harrison v. van Buren election.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1840_United_States_presidential_election

 

[Rightguide]

That sounds like a SLIGHTLY POORER but otherwise MUCH BETTER world to live in than what we've got now.

You couldn't survive in such a world.

 

[Wilson23]

You couldn't survive in such a world.

Why not? Nothing IMPORTANT depends on commercial advertising.

 

[Wilson23]

Wouldn't you all like to get through a typical day with nobody trying to SELL you anything?!

In "Minority Report," Tom Cruise replaces his eyes to fool retinal-scan identification. He goes into a store and a computer voice says, "Welcome back, Mr. Fakuda! Would you like to see another selection of tank tops?" That kind of future scares me worse than anything in "Nineteen Eighty-Four."