Journal: 2-2

Sneaky Branding

     Through my research on the internet I was unable to find any physical benefits to those who volunteer on a regular basis. However, I did find out that a main mental benefit in volunteering is a decrease in depression for those who volunteer. In my research I also found some statistics:

A Duke study found that individuals who volunteered after experiencing heart attacks reported reductions in despair and depression – two factors that that have been linked to mortality in post-coronary artery disease patients.

An analysis of longitudinal data found that individuals over 70 who volunteered approximately 100 hours had less of a decline in self-reported health and functioning levels, experienced lower levels of depression, and had more longevity.

Another study found that volunteering led to lower rates of depression in individuals 65 and older.

http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/newsroom/releases_detail.asp?tbl_pr_id=687

     This data that I found is very convincing on why people should constantly volunteer their time. Although you may not always physically benefit unless it's doing something active, you can be sure that your mental health will definitely improve over time and you will be a happier person.

     In class these past two weeks, we have been watching and finished a documentary called "The Persuaders". This was a movie about how the advertisement industry works and how they try to reach out to the common people to buy their products. It talked about methods they use to apeal to us, product placement, and also how the advertisement industry is suffering. We discussed in class the good and negative effects of becoming a culture strictly based off of and controlled by advertising.

     I do believe that advertising is good and that it allows certain brands to distinguish themselves from others and promotes a good stable economy based on capitalism. However, I also believe in the issue that we are almost ceasing to become a culture due to excessive advertising. It seems as though everywhere you go, you pass by atleast 10 advertisements trying to influence your life. I feel as though we have to be careful as a generation, not to let our culture slip away from us due to advertising trying to control what we do in our lives.

     A connection to something else we have not discussed is how alcohol advertisements seem to glamourize the consumption of alcohol. There are thousands of advertisements for different types of alcohol that show people having fun and not fearing any consequences of what might happen to them. I believe that not as many people would consume alcohol if there were no advertisements for it or even advertisements against it stating how bad it is for you. This just demonstrates how powerful advertising can be.

     I end my blog today with a question: What are the specific methods advertisement industries have started to use in order to reach out to the consumers?

"Pepsi Cartoons - Offthemark.com - by Mark Parisi." 5000 off the Mark Cartoons by Mark Parisi. Web. 29 Nov. 2010. http://offthemark.com/search-results/key/pepsi/.

"Press Release: Volunteering Produces Health Benefits." Corporation for National and Community Service. Web. 29 Nov. 2010. <http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/newsroom/releases_detail.asp?tbl_pr_id=687>.

Very Demotivational - The Demotivational Posters Blog. Web. 29 Nov. 2010. http://verydemotivational.memebase.com/?id=9038.