In the video lecture "Killing Us Softly 4," Dr. Kilbourne argues that advertising today creates a toxic cultural environment where our own choices and values are too often sacrificed for those of the advertisers and their corporate interests. In the process of selling products, we are also being sold (or socialized into) a set of norms, values, and beliefs about masculinity, femininity, and sexuality that Dr. Kilbourne finds troublesome for us as individuals, for healthy relationships, and for society, writ large. She also argues that advertising dismembers and objectifies women. (See Weekly Overview in Content for links to the video.)
1. What do each of these terms mean (i.e., "dismemberment" and "objectification") and what connection does she make between these terms and violence in society?
2. What do you think about this and do you think this still happens today?
3. Please share one recent example in advertising that either continues or counteracts this trend? Please include a link to your example and explain your thinking.
4. Finally, at the end of the video Dr. Kilbourne states that we need to deal with these issues as public health concerns. Further, she mentions several policy options, including efforts among German publishers, the European Union, and in schools, among others. What program, policy, or law do you think might be useful? Please be specific and explain what you think it would accomplish.