Oxymorons

Cigarette ads are proof that the majority of people lie to themselves more than they would like to think about. After promising everything from magically acquiring the best cars, clothes, and women to becoming a rugged cowboy, cigarette ads promptly conclude with the ironic statement, 'Government/Surgeon General's Warning: Cigarette smoking is dangerous to your health'. Here we see the government coming up with the rationalization that 'We've done our moral duty to safeguard the health of our citizens with this conveniently vague warning, and look, we didn't even antagonize the multinational tobacco companies that bring us millions in revenue each year! Wow. We must be really smart.' That excuse would be perfect except for the fact that the government relies on a healthy workforce to keep itself afloat. But the government doesn't think about that. Oh no. Because that would bring about nasty issues like budget cuts due to loss of tobacco revenue, and then how could our politicians possibly steal government funds without us noticing? That would never do. That is why politicians choose a slow, agonizing death for our country rather than facing the truth.

The people who buy that advertising crap are, of course, the bigger idiots. But worse by far are the people working for ad agencies who actually come up with the ridiculous concepts. You have to give them credit though. They are smart enough to recognize that most people are perfect targets for manipulation because they're just too stupid to notice.

This is just like the very smart people at MTV who came up with 'Whatever things' and who don't seem to realize that they're contradicting themselves when they say 'Do not attempt these stunts EVER' and 'Would you like to know how to get on this show?' in the same advert. Or the brilliant people in pro-wrestling idolized by practically every male pre-teen in America who feel like they're doing a good deed when they advise their viewers to 'not do what we're doing at home' and actually expect their advice to be followed.

I feel so insecure in this world of incredibly intelligent people.