Subliminalized
August 12th, 2015
(be sure to click) Subliminalized. Nope; not even a word. I just made it up but Adrenalized comes to mind when I say it. It’s recognizable as an album title for Def Leopard fans. I don’t even know if I should be using the word album; cd maybe. I had the cassette tape and if memory serves me correctly my ex-wife and I used to listen to it everyday when she got home from school. There’s all kinds of signs and symbols on it, like a dollar bill. (I’m sorry it was Hysteria). You may enjoy Word Play. Anyway like Pink Floyd’s “The Division Bell” CD I assumed that we were all a bunch of metal heads with targets in our eyes for whatever the next subliminal sharpshooter had in mind.
The Supreme Court’s reasoning not to uphold subliminal messaging should apply in all cases not just advertising. Below is an excerpt from The Legal Status of Subliminal Communication in America
(begin excerpt) The Court concludes that the foregoing cases firmly establish that the privacy rights of an unwilling listener will prevail over the free speech rights of a speaker if the listener is subjected to a speaker’s message under circumstances which make it impossible or impractical for the listener to avoid being exposed to the unwanted message. Conversely, if the listener or viewer can avoid exposure after the initial impact, then the First Amendment rights of the speaker should prevail. (end excerpt)
We’re also not supposed to talk on our cell phones while driving, or smoke marijuana, or even spit on the sidewalk. These laws are broken on the daily and I figure why would subliminal messaging be any different. It’s not like murder and some experts say one could not be forced to commit murder (though subliminal messaging) if it was not the desire of the individual initially. I want readers to pick out a hint of sarcasm in that last sentence. Subliminal Stimuli comes with an acceptably complete definition and reiterates what some experts have said under “Effectiveness”. Some followers Snopes.com-Subliminal Advertising claim there is no validity to the power of suggestion through subliminal messaging and tie failing of James Vicary to the failing of the notion. I believe it’s throwing out the baby with the bath water. The famed “popcorn experiment” never happened but folks have seen other examples of subliminal stimuli at work “Do Subliminal Messages Work“. This claims only one type of subliminal messaging works but they contradict themselves because they claim the subconscious mind can’t hear anything the conscious mind can’t hear. The mind has the capability to hear though the background of the ocean sounds. As the mind evolves (I do believe it does) who’s to say that tomorrow’s mind can’t slow down a repeated phrase or that some minds can’t do it today.
For me the whole thing gets a little scary when I think of young developing minds. Just the fact that a growing mind is exposed to subliminal tasks, attitudes or perception may mean they’re more resistant to it when they get older but what if they’re more vulnerable to it later in life. If their little developing intuitions never feel threatened by it why would they develop any defenses to it? I’ll end this blog like last week’s blog, “I’m glad this America where the people (especially parents) have the right to oversee the overseers. Until next time, keep your homes well.
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