I'm sure everyone and their dog has seen the latest ad from Dove. If not, or if you need your memory refreshed, have a watch:
Dove Real Beauty Sketches
I thought it was pretty great the first time I watched it. And then I read this and then this. My impression was changed (though I don't think it's racist like the first author implies). Tyler thinks they were written by a couple of Negative Nellies who try to find something wrong with everything, but I think they make some valid points. The message that we're too critical of ourselves is a good one, but I also think that we're way too caught up on looks being the only form of beauty.
What are your thoughts? Do you agree with me, or are you more on Tyler's side? I'm curious to hear your thoughts.
P.S. This parody is def worth a watch.
4 comments:
Ok, I'll go first. I think it's advertising. These are essentially the same people that tell me that Axe body-whatever will make women pretty much literally throw themselves at me, that the correct brand of athletic wear will make me a star football player and I can lose 87 pounds in the next week by following "one weird trick".
The purpose of these commercials is to get women to feel like they're all beautiful, everyone is special and cry a few tears. And, of course, associate these feelings with Dove. Then, when they're in the store looking to buy some facewash, they'll remember how Dove makes everyone happy, and be more likely to purchase that brand, as well as some ice cream bars.
If the advertisers thought they could sell soap by flashing bright colors while polka music played, they'd do that.
On the whole, I'd say that spreading the message that we should all be less critical of ourselves is less damaging to society that the idea that smelling like whatever Axe stuff smells like will get you some hot action within the hour. So I guess in that respect, I probably side a bit more with Tyler.
But we would all do well to not look for life changing moral and social guidance from a TV commercial.
What Clark said. He said it in a far more entertaining way than I did.
Also, I agree with you. We are soooo focused on outward beauty, as if that is the end all, be all of existence. I wore no make-up yesterday and my face is far from clear. A million people came to my door (ok, more like 8, or something, but it was a lot more than normal) and I found myself thinking that I should go get a shower and some make-up so people don't see me this way. Then, I got over it because I am lazy and who cares if they think I look like crap. I wish I felt that secure all the time because I don't, but I just don't have the time or energy to constantly worry about my looks.
I wish we were more forgiving in our culture about how important our outward appearance is. If we feel like dressing up, by golly, we should dress up. If we don't feel like it or we're cleaning all day or our kids is puking all day and we are in a constant state of housewife with little kids for a few years of our life, no one should care. I hope I can be good not to pass judgment.
So, in short, I still love your playlist here and I just keep writing so I'll keep listening, and Dove isn't spreading a bad message per se, much more positive than a lot of advertising, but, yes, it's still just advertising, a big mind game, vying for our dollars.
*more entertaining than I would. Geez, I need to preview my comments before hitting post.
The only Dove real beauty sketch that matters to me is this one.
I'm really sorry I just posted that...
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