1. As Berger states in episode 4 of “Ways of seeing”, publicity proposes to us that we could change our own lives by buying something more. He compares the publicity in today’s society with the oil paintings back in the days. Images through advertisements connected with our own lives as they are influence us to buy more things in order to be desirable and pleasant improving our own lifestyle.
2. According to Berger, there are two differences between publicity and oil paintings. The first one and more important,in my opinion, is that the oil paintings used to refer to the moment where they made, while the publicity nowadays refers to a imaginary future enhanced by the products. The second ,but not least difference , is that ,on one hand ,paintings were surrounded by a gold frame which showed the wealth of the possessor within and around the picture ,on the other hand, publicity surrounds by us as we are and behind those images are covered our wishes which falsely believe within this way we ‘ll change our own lives.
3. Advertising works upon fear ,the fear of us not being desirable. People who advertise things have the ability to manipulate us influencing our emotions. A good example of manipulation as Berger claims in episode 4 , is buying perfumes appealing our desire for pleasure and try to make us buy those even though that we don’t really need them. Our minds engaged with ads ,unconsciously , whose create unrealistic expectations of perfection. In conclusion, advertisements are based,falsely, in the relationship between products and our own lifestyle.
Very insightful comments, Panagiotta. I especially liked your answer to #3.