The power of advertising

The power of advertising

a) We can say that advertising has invaded our life because ads are everywhere : on our phones, on TV, on the Internet, and even in video games (1). Moreover/Besides, ads are a form of visual pollution in our consumer society. Furthermore /on top of that, there are ads in the street, at home, and also in schools. In conclusion we are bombarded by ads.

1) … unlike what happened in the past when TV and the Internet didn't exist.

b) On the one hand, advertising has invaded our life because everybody uses advanced new technologies. But on the other hand, ads are a lucrative (= profitable) source of income (= revenue) for media companies and commercial companies  because companies use marketing techniques in order to (= so as to) manipulate and influence consumers into buying more and more. (2) In other words (in conclusion), ads are an economic advantage/activity for companies because they create jobs (and products) and growth is based on consumption.

c) On the one hand, the message of advertising by (from) advertisers is that the more ads people consume, the more individuals will want to buy the products because ads seek to manipulate consumers to make them spend their money on futile things.

        On the other hand, ads bombard us and encourage us to consume products trying to convince us that if we consume or overconsume, we will be happy or satisfied. Indeed, as is said in the text (according to the text), « the only way to secure pleasure, popularity, security, happiness or fulfillment is through buying more and more ... »

But this is not true because it is not consumption that makes us happy.

Advertisers want to create a consumerist society. To achieve this objective, every single ad transmits the same message : it wants to make us believe that the products advertised are a promise of well-being. Even though (= even if) this is an empty promise, commercials do create the feeling that an individual absolutely needs the product to (= in order to) live a so-called wonderful life. But advertisments do not limit themselves to making one single product look absolutely necessary but to create the impression that it is the volume of goods bought that will allow you to be happy.

Recap !

d) There are 3 main reasons why the message conveyed (= delivered) by ads (advertising) is a problem.

First (of all), the consumerist ideology is not good for the quality of life ; indeed, ads promise to consumers that their level of well-being will increase if they consume a lot but there is no connection between happiness and the level of consumption, so the promise of ads is entirely empty and false (= this is a lie). Consequently (as a consequence) if we ban ads, it will increase our quality of life.

Then, the present level of consumption is unsustainable for the environment and it has a substantial impact on the earth. Climate scientists predict a catastrophic level of global warming, the destruction of the environment and the planet. Too much fossil energy is used for the production of goods

and the creation of ads. In other words, if we go on (= continue) consuming our natural resources, they will be depleted (= will disappear / decrease) …

Finally, because our economy is based on an endless economic growth, we must imagine a new economic model if we want to maintain our present way of life (= lifestyle) ; we must prefer repairing and recycling to replacing. If we want less unemployment (=joblessness) (if we want fewer unemployed people), we need to pass on productivity gains and give more free time and more money to people.

(Finally, it's an economic problem because it invites people to consume more to be happy. But the resources of our planet are limited. So we need to stop relying on an endless economic growth and should work to establish a more substainable society / model. By reparing and reusing, people tend to work more to earn more money. If we make people less dependent on consumer goods, we can make them work less and employ more people. In this document, happiness is achieved through free time and not by money).

Monday, October 2nd

Meet the Jacksons !

Our document is a radio programme in which one reporter John K. asks questions to a British family  about their life in Australia. This family consists of Shirley (the mother), Tony (the father), Charlene (their daughter) ; and Joe (their kangaroo).

        They explain why they've chosen to live outside the city centre of Sydney : they wanted to be near the city but at the same time they wanted to enjoy the advantages of living in a big city. They also wanted to live in a quiet environment (because the tourists stay in the city centre so they don't visit Kirribilli). Consequently, it's a quiet suburb.

        The family lived for 3 years in Canberra before settling (= living) in Kirribilli. They have a vast garden with exotic plants like palm-trees and it is home to typically Australian birds. This garden is the ideal playground for their kangaroo. Besides / in addition, they have a beautiful view on the sea and the Opera House.

        Father and mother have jobs in downtown Sydney so they take the ferry to go to work ; they like travelling on the ferry.

        As for sporting activities, the family goes jogging (=running) in the bush every day before going to work ; and after school, Charlene goes to Bondi beach to do surfing (as there are great rollers / waves there) especially in January. In the week-end, they go to the pub after work every Friday evening to meet (= be with) British friends (= expatriates like them). They talk about England.

To conclude, after many years in Australia, the Jacksons feel like « Aussies » (= Australians) because they are used to living in this country (they have adapted themselves to the Australian way of life).

Destination Sydney

Australia is « down under » because it is under the line of the Equator, that is to say in the Southern hemisphere.

A « Sydneysider » is someone who lives in Sydney (= an inhabitant of the city).

Spread over / harbo(u)r / pride / countless / wildlife reserve / outdoors / sightseeing / overlook / glistening / lively, bustling / buzz / scuba-diving / snorkelling / host.

Thursday, October 12th

D) True or False …

1) T : Sydney is the « oldest city » to be founded in Australia.

2) F : in fact, Sydneysiders come from « 180 nations » so they are not Indonesian only.

3) T : Sydney is described as a « multicultural city » and in the city there are « countless art galleries ». Besides / moreover, tourists may go and visit the Opera House, a famous monument in downtown Sydney.

4) F : beaches are « within 30 minutes of the city centre by public transport. »

5) F : all around the city, there are superb national parks covering 300 square km and wildlife reserves ; in addition, you may go walking in the bush  (outside the city).

E) In 2000 the Olympic Games were held in Sydney (= Sydney hosted the Games in 2000).

Speaking / writing

One of your friend plans to go and stay in Sydney during his/her summer holiday. Speak to him/her about the city or the country and recommend things/activities he/she could do or places he/she could visit and why (150 words).

Hey John, I've heard (that) you'll go (= intend / plan to go) to Sydney next Monday, so I want to give you advice as I went there last summer.

        You have to go to the beach but not Bondi Beach because I know you like quiet beaches and Bondi Beach is crowded with (= full of) people. And guess what ? Do you know that Sydney is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, so John I think Sydney is the perfect / ideal city where you can use one of the seven languages you can speak.