Barbara J. Hamby

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Dumb and Dumber

As an American consumer, I really resent being treated as if I were dumber than a pet rock. I am convinced there must be a competition for the dumbest radio or television commercial and no one is telling us about it.

For years, prior to television remotes, I trained myself to shut my eyes and ears at the brain level whenever a commercial came on, so I never heard them. Then I realized that, once in a while, I missed a cute or funny one that people talked about, so I began paying attention. Bad mistake.

Right now I can think of only one commercial I’ve seen lately that is remotely entertaining. It’s the boy who’s having a talk with his dog about how he’s not going to sit in timeout for the dog anymore. It advertises carpet cleaning, I believe.

I make it a practice not to listen to any commercial with a shouting voice, repetitive theme, or outrageously stupid actions. I sometimes make it a point to determine who the sponsor is so I won’t inadvertently purchase their product.

Sometimes I wish I had the energy to organize others in a large enough group to boycott offensive advertisers effectively.

Perhaps we have become such sheep or lemmings or whatever, that these advertising methods work. I hope not