I have to catch a plane, so I will post the subject matter soon.
Here’s the post:
During the 1950’s and 1960’s Detroit and Madison Avenue told us that the American Public wanted to buy cars that looked like rocket ships. So we had the series of Cadillacs – and other cars - with sharper and sharper and more pronounced tail fins. Once the US got to the moon (behind Russia) Detroit and Madison Avenue told us that the American People didn’t need fin cars anymore, and that fashion phase fizzled out.
Now Detroit and Madison Avenue tell us that after the judo of 911 the
American People want to buy Freedom Fries and Hummers. Detroit and Madison Avenue are such good listeners, they hear our subtle whispers for transportation products named “Liberty” (jeep) or “Intrepid” (dodge) or “Escape” (ford). (disclosure – I drive a pre-911 “Gladiator”)
But let’s focus on the hummer in the photo – what’s its message? Those high narrow windows in the back. Dark glass. Exposed heavily treaded tires, Yellow Rancho breast plate. Cow guard rolled up over the hood. Cab top spot lights. Hydraulic high lift suspension. Black pipe roof racks, Dual door stirrups. I suggest that there are several distinct messages delivered. The first message – delivered from the Detroit merchandisers to their purchasers - is “Buy this unit as an expression of your sycophantic patriotism”. The second message – delivered from the purchaser to the public – is: I have a sociopathic personality disorder which allows me to see you as cattle and the globe as my muddy manure strewn pasture) , and the third message- delivered from the purchaser to himself – is: my paranoia can be overcome by the metal around me, my self confidence boost is well worth the monthly payment.
First of all, the hummer is a civilian-ized version of a modern military utility vehicle – it replaces the old Jeep (which got its name from the phonetic abbreviation of General Purpose vehicle or GP or Jeep). The Jeep was close to a goat or a donkey – it had no pretenses. Thought intended for the same purposes as the Jeep, the hummer is diametrically different. The hummer (both civilian and military models) are pretentious – attempting to use pretense as a FORCE. Pretense, however, is not a FORCE. Pretense is self deception.
There are many analogies here between the US’s involvement in WWII and the Jeep, and the US’s involvement in Iraq and the hummer.
Detroit will tell you that the reason they build hummers is because that is what their customers want. This is the big lie. Madison Avenue makes the market – to a very great extent. Madison Avenue plays with your head in every TV and Print Ad. Madison Avenue wears you down. You end up wanting Fabreeze drier tissues and Scott’s Miracle Grow. You end up smoking Marlboros. You end up anorexic.
You end up mercantile fodder for your lack of cynicism.
Tell me what is the message delivered by the yellow breast plate?