how would you define evil?

[miriam_e]

Proof at last that it is not a genuine ad. Breathe a little easier folks. See here for a reply by its creator, rjwhite.

Thanks to annie_lynne for making me think... better late than never. I reflexively jumped too soon. I should have checked it out first. The picture below may actually be a fake. I can't find any definitive proof, but looking more carefully at its text I notice the word "guaranteed" has been misspelled as "gauranteed". I really don't think ad-men would miss that one. Sad that I think they'd care more about spelling than damaging babies.

If you find it difficult to read the text:

For a better start in life start cola earlier!

How soon is too soon?

Not soon enough. Laboratory tests over the last few years have proven that babies who start drinking soda during that early formative period have a much higher chance of gaining acceptance and "fitting in" during those awkward pre-teen and teen years. So, do yourself a favor. Do your child a favor. Start them on a strict regimen of sodas and other sugary carbonated beverages right now, for a lifetime of guaranteed happiness.

The Soda Pop Board of America.
1515 W. Hart Ave. - Chicago, ILL

The labels on the Coke bottle read:

• Promotes Active Lifestyle!
• Boosts Personality!
• Gives body essential sugars!

Perhaps advertisers were so used to lying they didn't see the problem in addicting babies to that crap. This stuff is up there with that sociopathic stuff about "more doctors smoke Camel cigarettes than any other brand".

Has it changed? or are these monsters just more subtle now?

Comments

[miriam-e.livejournal.com]

Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it. Good that you now include the address to thecitydesk.net at the bottom of the artwork.

I suspect it will continue to live on for some time though, as advertising people live near the bottom of the heap along with used-car salesmen and politicians. Most people (including me) are quick to think the worst of them because it is way too easy to believe. It's not hard to think the worst of people who would target cancer-sticks deliberately at children, for instance (the Marlboro campaign). And we are all aware of how common it is to find advertisements carefully worded to mislead ("...washes whiter than other powders").