Today we had a really great discussion about visual rhetoric, and one topic that generated a lot of conversation was sexuality in advertising. "Sex sells" is a truism that we hear from time to time, but we went a little deeper than that today. We discussed what ads that appeal to human sexuality say about us. Do they reveal how far we've come, to a point where we can openly celebrate the human body and our sexual nature, or are they gratuitous appeals to base impulses that exploit and objectify the body? Do they promote unrealistic ideals to consumers, especially young consumers? Or do such images depict common fantasies and impulses that we no longer, in 2008, have to keep hidden? And, from a rhetorical point of view, do these ads work for you? Does this image at all persuade you to buy these jeans? I would love for any of you to sound off on this.Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Are You Sold on Sex?
Today we had a really great discussion about visual rhetoric, and one topic that generated a lot of conversation was sexuality in advertising. "Sex sells" is a truism that we hear from time to time, but we went a little deeper than that today. We discussed what ads that appeal to human sexuality say about us. Do they reveal how far we've come, to a point where we can openly celebrate the human body and our sexual nature, or are they gratuitous appeals to base impulses that exploit and objectify the body? Do they promote unrealistic ideals to consumers, especially young consumers? Or do such images depict common fantasies and impulses that we no longer, in 2008, have to keep hidden? And, from a rhetorical point of view, do these ads work for you? Does this image at all persuade you to buy these jeans? I would love for any of you to sound off on this.
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6 comments:
Sex does sell. But this ad does not make me want to buy those jeans. You can't even get a good look at them because the sexual nature of the picture distracts from it.
this add doesn't make me want to buy these jeans but there are a lot of ads that just make me think "oh my, maybe i do need that"
I’m glad that sex is out there more! People need to stop being such prudes about it. I’m not saying that I’d like to see it every minute of every day but I am glad it’s being celebrated more. It’s a beautiful thing. We’ve come way too far in this society to not be able to openly express ourselves! I don’t however like how every ad is telling us we need to look younger and be skinnier to feel sexy! We should just celebrate feeling good about ourselves. Confidence is more sexy then baring skin!
Smarie...I am glad that you are glad that sex is more open. I, however, do not agree. I think it is something more of a personal nature, not to be published like a book for the world to see. It should be between you and your spouse, or chosen mate. It is a beautiful thing which creates amazing pieces of art like yourself, but even more beautiful when kept to its sacredness. I am not sold on sex, it is more offensive to me than attracting... personally.
I agree with you amberz. It should be a more personal thing and not just put out there for everyone to see. We come from a society where it was offensive to show your ankles. Just think of what it is going to be like years from now.
This is a good discussion, guys. Maybe we are dealing with two separate issues at once. On one hand, we are talking about sexuality and the beauty of the human body and, along with that, whether or not it should be something that is considered taboo to tal about/show off/celebrate publicly. On the other hand, we are talking about the kinds of body types/images used in advertising, which are not typical of what the "normal" person looks like and are often Photoshopped to distort them even further. Some of us thought this was okay because it was just a way of fantasizing, and some of us thought it was damaging our idea of what we "should" look like. Some of us argued that young people, perhaps especially young women, are vulnerable to these kinds of images. So maybe each part of this deserves its own discussion?
Keep it up.
-D
This ad doesn't make me want to buy the jeans. You don't even notice them in the ad. you have to be told what is being sold. That is the problem with trying to sell stuff with sex. You look at the sexuality not the product. Sex ad's are pointless and harmful to society. They display false images. The promote sexual harassment. You can control what you wear but not what it makes others think, do, and act around and towards you. If you don't like people staring at your chest, making rude comments and suggestions, then don't wear such reveling clothing. You're putting it out there for all to see, so you're asking for it.
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