I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first few chapters of Ad Nauseum. In many ways, it summarizes and expands a lot of what we have been talking about throughout the course of this class. If the book wasn't so horrifying and potentially disastrous, it could be very comical. Advertising has truly cemented itself as a significant part of culture and life. It is almost unavoidable. The Chapter, "Dying a Slow Brain Death" discusses this, and its harmful consumption-driving mentality that it perpetuates. Advertisers want to surround us with things to consume, so that it is unavoidable. This correlates with what the film The Persuaders highlights, which talks about the inner-workings of ad agencies and how they want to enclose us in a advertising and consumption culture. I feel that most people shrug off advertising as stupid, saying "well people are stupid, but it doesn't affect me." The more I think about it, the more I truly believe that it HAS to affect all of us, no matter how perceptive or oblivious one is to their consumer messages. Advertising feeds off of the notions that we think we are above it, when really the power is being shifted towards an ad and consumption culture. I was also reminded of Consuming Kids while reading the first few chapters. Kids that are brought up in this free-for-all world (which includes my generation) are the greatest victims to consumption culture and advertising. They don't ahve a choice; it is cemented in culture. It is sad :(

I also found the chapter "I'm with the Brand" and also "Disneymaniacs" both interesting and disturbing. This brand loyalty can really cloud the way people decide to consume. People, for example, can completely prefer Geico, simply because it is hipper and funnier in its advertising campaign than say, Allstate or StateFarm. Older folks might lean towards these companies which seem more responsible and wise in their ads. And Progressive might be for the type A internet-savvy people who connect more with their insurance. These companies hardly offer better rates or are better to deal with; in the end, they are corporations sucking on society's wallets for a good profit margin. Also, it seems crazy that people become so crazed about, for example, Ariel from The Little Mermaid. People are crazy.