Those ‘be discontent’ messages.
Have you ever looked back at the range of messages-to-be-discontent we receive daily?
That we are bombarded with, in fact?
The messages are designed to make you aware that other people are perceived as being better, happier, more successful, and having more things than you.
- Quick, let’s put these holiday photos on social media so everyone can see how happy we are!
- You’re not still driving that car – it’s already three years old!
- You must have a new iPhone or Samsung – it’s even better than last month’s model.
The messages are endless and come from various sources, including advertising, social media, product placement, and more. And the overall intention is manipulation – to encourage unease and discontent, so you’re more likely to use their advertisers or sponsors to ‘buy contentment’.
Be insecure!
We’re told to be insecure about what we have.
Don’t let up struggling for more.
Don’t enjoy what you have or what you do – others are doing better!
Stop enjoying the life you have.
Be discontent, and then spend money and time to get rid of this discontent. Well, how can you relax when others are happier, fitter, wealthier, and better-looking than you?
Inoculate against the manipulation.
How do we inoculate ourselves against the discontentment disease?
(1) Recognise the all-pervasive ‘be unhappy’ theme.
Recognise the daily bombardment of messages-to-be-unhappy – from so many locations: print media, online social media, 24-hour sense-surround advertising, news feeds and channels, and so on!
(2) See and hear these messages for what they are
These are designed to make you unhappy with your lot – your appearance, your health and fitness, your friends, your work, your possessions (and your lack of possessions!)
(3) Raise your awareness
Just for a couple of days, watch and listen for the many ‘be discontent’ messages you encounter in your daily life.
Advertising is designed to affect us unconsciously – to change our emotions without our awareness of the process. Otherwise, we might resist and not be as gullible.
We can’t ‘not’ see and hear the manipulative messages. We can, through raising awareness of what’s going on, immunise ourselves to their power.