سؤال قراءة ستيب محلول — الإشارة والمرجعية (تدريب 5784)

Defenses of Advertising (1) Defenders of advertising claim that it provides many benefits. It informs consumers about available products and services. Some adverts promote the public interest by informing consumers about health and safety issues. Volvos, for example, were among the first vehicles to provide side-door airbags This is a definite safety advantage. Defenders of advertising also argue that by giving media the financial backing it requires, advertisements allow "free" television and internet content. The survival and profitability of many media outlets, such as social media, television and radio stations and YouTube channels depend on advertising revenue. Finally, advocates of advertising claim that it stimulates competition and fuels our mass-consumption economy. It raises the standard of living for everyone because it makes "economies of large-scale production" possible. Mass production reduces the cost of manufacturing a product, so it is less expensive to buy; but mass production requires mass consumption, and mass consumption of a product cannot occur unless consumers know that the product exists and where it can be bought. So, advertising is required if we are to take advantage of the benefits of large-scale production. Criticisms of Advertising (2) Numerous criticisms have been leveled at advertising First, some critics argue, advertising interferes with almost everything we do (studying, reading, driving, watching YouTube, browsing the internet). Second, critics say, advertising makes citizens materialistic. They only care about possessing more and more. Of course, there is nothing wrong with improving your standard of living, but they say advertising encourages consumers to measure their worth only by what they have, rather than by who they are. And so, advertising weakens social bonds and contributes to a shallow, materialistic culture. Third, advertising exploits children by targeting dubious messages (sugary cereals are good, cool kids wear brand-name clothing) at an audience that is too young to be able to evaluate their content. Young people, including college students.