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I've de-aded my media consumption to such a degree that ads are now actually weird to me. They get my attention solely because I'm so used to not seeing them.

I've de-aded my media consumption to such a degree that ads are now actually weird to me. They get my attention solely because I'm so used to not seeing them. One thing that sticks out: A ton of TV advertising is the same ads that were running when I was a kid. Not all of it, but a lot more than I'd expect. Anyone else notice this?

jerf 9y ago
When is "when you were a kid?" For me, seeing a 1980s ad is pretty funny. At least I had the excuse that I was a kid. (Though I recall even in the 90s thinking the whole "EXTREME!" thing was stupid. I think that may have been a pretty egregious case of geographic parochialness; surfer culture may seem totally radical when you're in Hollywood, with easy access to the beach almost year-round, but for anywhere else in the country who either doesn't live so far south, doesn't live near a surfable beach, or doesn't have the cash to fund such an expensive hobby, it was much less compelling.)
- FussyZeus 9y ago
  Ah fair point, should've been more specific. I was a kiddo in the late 90's. I was surprised how many of the ads, especially for things like those Life Alert buttons, were completely unchanged. Also I can't help but notice that 7/8ths of what's advertised on TV is for seniors.
  - jerf 9y ago
    Yes, that makes sense. While the initial thought might be "why change what works" my thought is that the whole operation strikes me as one that is just barely making enough to run the ads at all, rather than some sort of well-funded enterprise that is just not making new ads.
    - FussyZeus 9y ago
      I dunno about that, caring for the elderly is a pretty booming business right now with the Baby Boom generation hitting their stride into the silver years. Frankly though they should really update it, some of the footage from their call centers shows people working at dual CRT desks with software that looks like it's straight out of War Games. If I was shopping for something for my mother, I'd want their service at LEAST running Windows 7.
- liveoneggs 9y ago
  radical!

jerf 9y ago

When is "when you were a kid?" For me, seeing a 1980s ad is pretty funny. At least I had the excuse that I was a kid. (Though I recall even in the 90s thinking the whole "EXTREME!" thing was stupid. I think that may have been a pretty egregious case of geographic parochialness; surfer culture may seem totally radical when you're in Hollywood, with easy access to the beach almost year-round, but for anywhere else in the country who either doesn't live so far south, doesn't live near a surfable beach, or doesn't have the cash to fund such an expensive hobby, it was much less compelling.)

FussyZeus 9y ago
Ah fair point, should've been more specific. I was a kiddo in the late 90's. I was surprised how many of the ads, especially for things like those Life Alert buttons, were completely unchanged. Also I can't help but notice that 7/8ths of what's advertised on TV is for seniors.
- jerf 9y ago
  Yes, that makes sense. While the initial thought might be "why change what works" my thought is that the whole operation strikes me as one that is just barely making enough to run the ads at all, rather than some sort of well-funded enterprise that is just not making new ads.
  - FussyZeus 9y ago
    I dunno about that, caring for the elderly is a pretty booming business right now with the Baby Boom generation hitting their stride into the silver years. Frankly though they should really update it, some of the footage from their call centers shows people working at dual CRT desks with software that looks like it's straight out of War Games. If I was shopping for something for my mother, I'd want their service at LEAST running Windows 7.
liveoneggs 9y ago
radical!