I'm trying to recall the very interesting documentary
That posited that this is exactly what both advertisers and politicians do.
The idea was that they substitute the symbols of religion because they are deep triggers in the human psyche: So our ever-lasting life, for example, is now the dream of a happy retirement. And this is far more of a crock, because most people work their life and health away making their employers rich and are too sick/dead to really enjoy their retirement when it comes.
Look at the symbology in most advertising, and you will see some sort of valhalla promised as a result of buying into their product. "Get a loan" they say, and show you a picture of heaven on the beach, with a beautiful spouse and perfect children and a flash car.
Instead of the 10 commandments we have the ethos of Career, Family, Friends. And we as a people seem to have bought into the false notion that these will bring us everlasting happiness when in fact they are the three biggest causes of misery in the lives of most of the people I know. Not because of something inherent in them, but because of the unrealistic expectation we have been taught to place on them.
(, Tue 18 Oct 2011, 11:08, Reply)
I was thinking of this one, although its not the one where this point was made
but its a very interesting and humourously made documentary about media tactics to control the population.
www.channel4.com/programmes/starsuckers
EDIT: nuts, not available any more on 4OD. Maybe youtube. worth a hunt around if its something that interests you. I liked it because its also a giggle while making a serious point.
(, Tue 18 Oct 2011, 11:14, Reply)