Humans have always had central stories we share - from oral tradition to the epic poem to the novel to movies. We share these stories to share common meaning - so that we’re all on the same page and so that we have an agreed-upon reality.
But if there is an ulterior motive to the stories we share, they may not serve our emotional lives very well.
Sometimes we forget just how much advertising we absorb each day. Moreover, most of us fail to see to what extent it informs our worldview; each of us thinks “I am too smart and too savvy to be influenced by ads.” Time after time, the research shows that the message we receive from advertising is “you’re inadequate without this product or service,” or, to be more succinct, simply “you’re inadequate.” How many times can you hear or see that message without internalizing it to some extent? What happens if you start internalizing it as a 12-year-old? As a 6-year-old? As a 3-year-old?
Becoming aware of the messages with which we are continuously bombarded is yet another way to determine what’s real and what’s just another story. It’s also a step toward a healthier outlook on life.