We were talking in class about the sway that media can create in our emotions, thoughts, and actions. I was thinking about the influence that advertising media can have on opinions and actions, and how obnoxious it is for me personally when they misuse that potential. My greatest annoyances are the billboards I drive past; my husband hears me critique them every time new ones are switched in. 

The prime example of media wasted is a billboard just off of the University Parkway exit that asks parents if their child is in the right carseat. After a ridiculous number of times passing the exact same billboard, I still couldn't tell you what more they want from me than to understand the question posed at the top (stated previously). There is a picture of a bear with a honey jar turned measuring apparatus that is only filled a tiny portion of the way. Couldn't tell you what the jar is supposed to measure, or where I could go to find more information because everything is too small to read, especially when traveling at freeway speeds. 

So every time I go past that stupid billboard I think three things: 1) is my (non-existent) child in the right carseat - I will never know, 2) what a waste of money and potential they had by capturing my interest, 3) the marketing/advertising people for whoever-the-heck made that billboard (which again, I will never know) should probably be fired for such a blatant misuse of they power that they might have had to influence so many people to consider their product or opinion. If you're going to foray into the media world, do it properly and be convincing; even if I completely disagree with you, I want to be able to appreciate your use of media power. Don't be irksome.