The movies that I will be discussing are "The Corporation," "Trade Secrets," and "Merchants of Cool." In the following movies, I will be discussing global and local issues, that relate to the ideas of the "Magic Porcelain Appliance," "Conscious stardust," and "Discreteness/Separation."
Today we know that corporations, for good or bad, are major influences on our lives. For example, of the 100 largest economies in the world, 51 are corporations while only 49 are countries. The advantage of having a corporation over being an individual investing in trade voyages etc, was that an individual's debts could be inherited by descendants. Corporations had therefore the potential, from the onset, to become very powerful. There is much recognized and unrecognized corporate influence in our lives. Indeed, much of western culture and increasingly, around the world, consumerism is expanding. Like for example, in the movies "The Corporation" there are issues surrounding the concept of influencing children in buying their products.
Corporation Street, Birmingham - Midland Metro wor...
Corporation Street, Birmingham - Exhibition Bus
Corporation Street, Birmingham - Temple PointMarketers see children as a future as well as current market and hence brand loyalty at a young age helps in the quest of continued sales later. Candy and sweets are often put on stands in shops at the eye level of children. While it would be healthier to have foods, like fruits and vegetables in those places, the bright colors and packaging used to sell sweets are more likely to attract children's attention. The dictum of consumerism and corporate capitalism dictates that social good comes through subtle greed and meeting demands of people. Yet, putting candy at the eye level of children creates a demand that otherwise may not have been there, or not have been there in as much intensity. Likewise, highly caffeinated soft drinks that are being consumed more and more, have negative health effects. Influence from...